Preparation for Seminary & Graduate Studies in Religion

The pre-seminary /Graduate adviser will help majors and minors design undergraduate programs that will prepare them for further study in theological seminaries, university divinity and graduate schools. Academic counseling of students takes place within guidelines provided by the American Association of Theological Schools.

The program at JMU will provide excellent preparation not only for acceptance at these schools but also for enriched professional training. A student in this program may major in any field he or she chooses, although the American Association for Theological Schools recommends substantial pre-professional training in philosophy and religion. This professional accrediting agency also recommends a broad background in English language and literature; history (American and European); both the physical and the life sciences; the social sciences (particularly psychology, anthropology and sociology); the fine arts; biblical and modern languages and, of course, religion, including the Bible, history of religious traditions and theology.

 The department of Philosophy and Religion offers rich opportunities for the study of the history, content and interpretation of the Bible; historical and modern theology; particular religious traditions and cross-cultural topics in religious studies. Class assignments require students to think critically about a variety of theological and ethical issues; to read original, classical expressions of religious thought and to become knowledgeable about specialized terms and the major spiritual and intellectual interpreters of the Hebrew and Christian traditions. A range courses in world religions are also offered. Students are encouraged to visit various seminaries and the department welcomes seminary and graduate school representatives to the campus to discuss the possibilities for further theological or religious education with students. Interested students may receive academic credit for practical supervised field work with social agencies, churches and religious organizations  in order to help them find the particular forms of professional preparation (pastoral, campus, youth, missions, social, counseling) for which they are best suited. Qualified students are also encouraged to undertake independent study and write an honors thesis in their junior and senior years.

Such courses of study prepare students to enter professional schools of religion (divinity schools, seminaries, theological schools) and graduate schools.  These professional schools prepare the student for a variety of careers, such as ministry, religious education and religious work with youth and others.

 

For more information on pre-seminary study, contact Dr. Iain Maclean (of 213 Sheldon Hall) by phone at (540) 568-7059 or by e-mail at macleaix@jmu.edu.