Pre-Seminary

Seminary students are church leaders in training. As a student in Calvin's pre-seminary program, you'll take courses to prepare you for any number of seminary programs nationwide.

Overview
Courses
Scholarships
Faculty
Contact

Overview

The pre-seminary program at Calvin is a series of classes in English, speech, philosophy, psychology, history, Greek and sociology designed for students who are interested in pursuing ordained ministry. This program can be paired with any major at Calvin, as most seminaries receive graduates from a variety of fields and academic interests. Recent graduates of Calvin's pre-seminary program have gone to some of the most prestigious schools in the country, including Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Duke and Fuller.

Careers in Pre-Seminary

Religion Professor or Teacher
Missionary
Pastor
Youth Minister
Author

See job placement rates for Calvin grads.

Student involvement

Attend the annual Seminary Fair to investigate schools from a wide variety of denominations and traditions; complete a 10-week internship as a Jubilee Fellow; join in department-wide events like lectures and seminars.

Course Requirements 2012-13

Pre-Seminary

The department of congregational and ministry studies (CMS) serves as the home of the pre-ministry advising program. A team of advisors connected to this department is committed to guiding students through the process of discerning a call to ministry by means of one-on-one conversations and occasional events and programs held throughout the year. Students interested in ministry should direct any questions to one of the following advisors:

M. Lundberg (religion and adjunct CMS), coordinator of pre-ministry advising and primary pre-seminary advisor
T. Cioffi, director of the Jubilee Fellows program
L. Barger Elliott, professor of youth ministry
M. Hulst, college chaplain
J. Witvliet, director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

M. Lundberg is on sabbatical during the 2012 Interim and the Spring semester. During that time, T. Cioffi will be the acting coordinator of pre-ministry advising and the primary pre-seminary advisor.

The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) recommends that pre-seminary students develop the ability to think carefully, communicate clearly, and do independent research. Pre-seminary students should also learn about human culture and society, and may find it useful to develop proficiency in biblical languages, Latin, and modern languages. Due to differing expectations from different seminaries, the college has no formal program of pre-seminary study, but rather presents a series of suggested courses that students can consider in consultation with the college?s pre-seminary advisors. Pre-seminary students should consult the catalogs of the particular seminaries that they are considering attending for the specific admission requirements of those schools.

Because many Calvin students choose to attend Calvin Theological Seminary, and because of the close relationship between the two institutions, the admission requirements of the seminary are included here as an example of typical seminary admissions expectations: Students must meet all of the college?s requirements for a bachelor?s degree, as well as the admissions requirements of the seminary, including a minimum GPA of 2.67. Calvin Theological Seminary recommends that pre-seminary students emphasize the following areas of study: classical civilization, English, Greek, history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and theology.

Calvin Seminary's master of divinity (MDiv) program prepares persons for ordained ministry. To enter the MDiv program, pre-seminary students should complete the following courses:

At least two semester length courses in English (including literature), history, philosophy (preferably history of philosophy), natural science, social science, and speech
Four semesters of Greek are encouraged.
In order to fulfill these suggestions, Calvin students should include the following courses in their undergraduate programs:
- GREE-205 New Testament Greek: The Gospels
- GREE-206 New Testament Greek: The Epistles
- PHIL-251 History of Western Philosophy I
- PHIL-252 History of Western Philosophy II
- CAS-101 Oral Rhetoric
- CAS-200 Advanced Oral Rhetoric
- CAS-203 Introduction to Performance Studies (recommended)
- CAS-240 Group Communication (recommended)

Calvin Seminary's Master of Arts degrees (with concentrations in evangelism and mission, educational ministries, worship, pastoral care, youth and family ministries, and Bible & theology) prepare persons for leadership in various areas of church ministry. The seminary recommends that students take one college course each in English, literature, philosophy, and speech, as well as two each in history, natural science, and social science. In addition, for the MA in evangelism and missions, one college course is required in cultural anthropology; and for the MA in worship, two college courses are required in music or the arts.

Calvin Seminary's master of theological studies program provides a theological education that emphasizes vocational objectives for students who are not seeking ordination, as well as preparation for further academic study in Bible and theology. It is recommended that college students take at least two semester length courses each in English (including literature), history, philosophy, natural science, and social science. Four semesters of Greek are encouraged.

Scholarships

Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2012-13 academic year.

Julius and Sylvia Becksvoort Scholarship

amount of award: $2,000
junior or senior
pursuing a pre-seminary course of study; planning to attend Calvin Theological Seminary
GPA 3.00+
financial need considered
apply through the Calvin Portal

Bolt Family Scholarship

award amount: $3,200
junior or senior psychology major or pursuing a pre-ministry program
GPA 3.3+
financial need required
psychology students apply through the psychology department
pre-ministry students apply through the Calvin Portal

Eugene and Joan Deur Scholarship

award amount: $2,400
sophomore or junior education major, pursuing a pre-ministry program or missions
GPA 3.0+
financial need required
apply through the Calvin Portal

Rev. Donald J. Drost Memorial Scholarship

award amount: $2,000; $4,300
first year
HS GPA 3.3+
financial need required; first preference graduates of Western Michigan Christian High School
automatic consideration

Reverend Bernard Haven Memorial Scholarship

award amount: $3,200
first-year
HS GPA 3.0+
financial need considered; child of missionary
submit a letter to the Financial Aid Office (finaid@calvin.edu) describing your qualifications by February 1

Haverkamp Family Scholarship

award amount: $2,500
first-year
financial need considered; demonstrate commitment to and evidence of volunteerism or student leadership
automatic consideration

Jacob and Kathryn S. Hekman Scholarship

award amount: $2,200
junior or senior
GPA 3.0+
financial need required; planning to attend Calvin Theological Seminary
apply through the Calvin Portal

Dr. and Mrs. Lee S. Huizenga Memorial Scholarship

award amount: $1,800
junior or senior
GPA 3.2+
financial need required; interest in missions or service work
apply through the Calvin Portal

James and Dolly (Hofman) Strikwerda Family Scholarship

award amount: $1,900
junior or senior
GPA 2.5+
evidence that the scholarship is needed to help meet educational expenses
apply through the Calvin Portal

John R. and Annie Struyk Family Scholarship

award amount: $2,000
junior or senior
financial need required;demonstrate Christian character and involvement in extracurricular activities in the community and college
apply through the Calvin Portal

William and Anna Vanden Bosch Scholarship

award amount: $2,050
junior or senior
GPA 2.70+
financial need required; have a record of being active in ministry in their local congregation or other Christian ministry; preference to those who plan to pursue ministry in the CRC
apply through the Calvin Portal

John S. Vander Heide III Memorial Scholarship

award amount: $1,500
senior
GPA 2.67+
financial need not required; planning to seek ordination through Calvin Theological Seminary
apply through the Calvin Portal