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Preparing for Seminary

Are you considering going to seminary? The following guidelines are provided by WSC to assist students in their preparations.

SPIRITUAL PREPARATION
Seek to develop strong relations and personal growth within a Christian church both before and during seminary. It is primarily within this context that students will grow in the knowledge of God’s revealed Word and be built up into maturity.

Maintaining a consistent prayer life, study of the scriptures, and involvement with and commitment to a Christian congregation is integral and vital to your preparation for seminary and to your own spiritual life in Christ. ACADEMIC PREPARATION
Cultivate strong academic knowledge in areas related to Biblical studies, such as history, philosophy and language studies. A strong understanding of the liberal arts will assist you in establishing clear, concise, and cogent writing skills that are essential to a seminary education.
  • Suggested Reading List
    This resource is provided to introduce various topics that will be covered or referenced during studies at WSC. Please note that this information is provided as a resource only; this reading list is not prerequisite to beginning a degree program at WSC.
  • English Bible
    WSC students are all required to have a thorough knowledge of the English Bible. All incoming students are required to take the English Bible Exam during their first semester. Please see the Academic Calendar for exam dates.
    • Guidelines: Please note that WSC does not provide a sample test for the English Bible Exam
       
  • Graduate Theological Writing
    This propaedeutic course is offered to assist students in developing competency in the organization and composition of essays and papers, correct use of source materials in writing, clarity and style in sentence syntax and paragraph construction, diction, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
    • Waiver: Admitted students have the opportunity to obtain a waiver of PT400 Graduate Theological Writing. To do so they must submit an academic paper to the Registrar’s office by August 15 prior to fall semester or December 1 for winter term, January 15 for spring semester.
    • Guidelines: For paper requirements, download Graduate Theological Writing Requirements >>
       
  • Oral Communication
    All M.Div. students are required to enroll in PT410 Oral Communication during the first fall semester unless a waiver is granted.
    • Waiver: Students may obtain a waiver by delivering a brief speech in which he demonstrates adequate oral communication skills (in preparation, structure, and delivery) to representative faculty of the Department of Practical Theology prior to the first fall semester of study. Please contact the Dean of Students during the week of the WSC New Student Orientation to sign up for a speech.
    • Prerequisite:
      • M.Div. Students:
        If you do not successfully waive PT410, you will be required to take this class before enrolling in PT504 Sermon Preparation and Delivery and the advanced homiletics practica (PT603, PT604, PT704, PT708).
      • Non-Native English Speaking Students:
        Please see the Academic Catalogue for TOEFL requirements that affect your enrollment in PT410.
    • Writing Your First Speech >>

LANGUAGES
Although WSC offers Greek and Hebrew courses, preparation in these languages before seminary will be extremely beneficial for you since WSC places a strong emphasis on the original languages.

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