It varies, but in my denomination (and in most major protestant ones known to me), it is as follows:
1. A Bachelor degree, usually any field is okay. It needs to include biblical Hebrew and Greek to the point of being fluent - although this can be done in addition to seminary studies for the student who didn't include this.
2. A seminary degree. This is usually 4 years, one of which MAY be an internship or such may be incorporated into the 4 years or it may follow 4 years of grad school.
For my father (a minister):
1. A BA with highest honors. He majored in History (I think!). He took 3 years of Hebrew and 3 of Greek. He also took German and Latin.
2. A Master's of Divinity degree from a denominational seminary. There were 4 departments: Biblical studies, Systemmatics/Doctrine, Historical studies, and Ministry Studies. He majored in systemmatics. There was a 3 day final written examine, a thesis and an oral defense of the thesis.
3. He completed 2 years of internship - one year working in clinical settings, mostly as a hospital minister. And one year working in a congregation as a pastoral intern.
4. He worked for 7 years (part time) on his doctorate degree, which is in comparative doctrine and ecumenical studies. Most of this he did "in extension" also he did several summer sessions at the seminary, too.
Pax.
- Josiah
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