Seminary Preparation
How will Susquehanna help me prepare for a church vocation?
Preparation for graduate theological study, ministry and church vocations includes:
As a church-related university noted for academic excellence and service-learning, Susquehanna is well positioned to prepare and equip students in all three areas.
Academic Preparation
- Abroad-based liberal arts education aims to expand your mind, enlarge your horizons and help you develop critical thinking skills.
- The Central Curriculum encourages you to cross boundaries between disciplines and integrate the various fields of learning.
- Majors and minors in religion, philosophy and other disciplines are especially appropriate for those preparing for lay or ordained ministry.
- Susquehanna’s ethos that encourages intellectual growth, promotes personal development, and values creativity and imagination.
- A highly qualified, committed and caring faculty provides strong advising and individual mentoring.
Spiritual Formation
- an extensive and energetic religious life program
- multiple worship opportunities on campus, and in numerous congregations in the community
- organized and informal opportunities to cultivate a life of faithful prayer, reflection, service and action
- vocational counseling and mentoring with the chaplain
- life in close community with others—some holding beliefs and values consistent with your own, others subscribing to divergent beliefs and values.
Experiential Learning
- abundant leadership opportunities in a variety of religious life organizations, programs and events,
- internships, externships and practica through the Department of Religion and Philosophy,
- the Student Deacon Program in the Chaplain’s Office,
- winter, spring and summer break service learning trips, and
- outreach ministries.
Pre-Seminary Group
An active pre-seminary group meets every other week during the academic year. After enjoying dinner together, the students and an invited guest (a faculty member, local pastor or seminarian) explore a topic related to candidacy and preparation for seminary and/or ministry.
What other preparation is advised for seminary?
- participating in service-learning opportunities
- sharing in the leadership of student organizations and events
- taking advantage of opportunities that foster spiritual maturation and personal growth
- membership and active participation in a congregation, at home and/or at SU
- regular contact with your denomination’s candidacy committee
