Seminary FAQs
Since 1937, Grace Theological Seminary has been teaching, training, and transforming individuals for Christ and His Church with seminary education. With Scripture as our foundation, we will encourage you in your God given call to ministry and meet you where you’re at through a wide variety of delivery methods. Our accredited seminary and scholar-practitioners will guide you in your specific program as you learn how to faithfully interpret the Word of God, put your knowledge of Scripture into action in the local church, and allow your studies to transform your own heart and life.
We know you have lots of questions and want to make sure you are choosing the right seminary for your calling. We hope these frequently asked questions will help you find the answers you are looking for.
We believe you were created for more and we want to help you find your more.
Seminary Calling & Discernment
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Yes. Grace Theological Seminary can be used for lay minister training. Seminary programs are designed not only for pastors and vocational ministers but also for church members, ministry volunteers, and nonprofit leaders who want a rigorous theological education to serve more effectively in their local church.
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Yes. Grace Theological Seminary’s conviction is that the complementarian position aligns with Scripture, but we also believe that theological education should be available to everyone. Women can pursue any degree offered and benefit from the theological training it provides.
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In seminary, students study a combination of biblical, theological, and ministry-focused subjects. This includes courses in Bible study, theology, church history, pastoral ministry, preaching, counseling, spiritual formation, and more. The goal is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and spiritual maturity needed for effective ministry and leadership in the Church, on the mission field, or in para-church and chaplaincy ministries.
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Seminary vs Bible college: Bible colleges typically offer undergraduate-level education, focusing on foundational Bible knowledge and ministry preparation. Seminaries, on the other hand, provide graduate-level theological education, offering a deeper study in biblical interpretation, theology, ministry leadership, and spiritual formation.
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A seminary is a graduate-level school that trains students in theology, Scripture, and practical ministry skills. It prepares people for leadership, chaplaincy, or other roles in the church. At Grace Theological Seminary, our mission is to teach, train, and transform students for Christian ministry, rooted in Scripture and focused on preparing leaders for the Church and Gospel service.
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Many students who feel the call to ministry or feel called to be a pastor have a personal conviction to grow spiritually, deepen biblical understanding, and serve in ministry. This is often confirmed through prayer, mentoring, and ministry opportunities they are involved with. The local church should have a big role in confirming a call to ministry.
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You don’t have to attend a seminary to be a pastor, but many church and ministry roles expect or prefer formal theological training, such as a seminary degree. If you want to check out our programs, click here.
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Yes. Grace Theological Seminary is an evangelical seminary, affiliated with the evangelical Charis Fellowship, and teaches from a conservative, Bible-centered perspective. Grace students represent more than 30 other denominations and non-denominational churches.
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If you’re wondering how to become a chaplain, Grace Theological Seminary is the place for you! GTS offers chaplaincy concentrations within the MDiv and MA online and residential programs to prepare students for chaplain roles.
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A seminary degree can prepare you for a wide range of ministry and leadership roles. Graduates often serve as pastors, church leaders, missionaries, chaplains, nonprofit leaders, educators, or ministry staff. Seminary training also equips students for teaching, counseling-related ministry, and further theological education, depending on the program pursued.
Seminary Program and Degree Fit
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Yes. Grace Theological Seminary is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Association of Theological Schools, and its degrees, including the MDiv and others, are officially approved as one of many accredited seminary schools. Learn more here.
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Yes. Grace Theological Seminary offers part-time enrollment options for most programs, allowing students to balance ministry, work, and family while completing their theological education.
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Yes. Grace Theological Seminary allows students to transfer eligible graduate-level credits from other accredited institutions. Transferred courses are evaluated individually to ensure they meet the academic and theological standards of the seminary. Learn more here.
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At Grace Theological Seminary, seminary programs vary in length. Master of Divinity programs require 75 credit hours, most Master of Arts programs require 48 credit hours, and doctoral programs require 30 credit hours. Learn more about our programs here.
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Grace Theological Seminary offers several seminary degree programs, including:
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- Master of Divinity (MDiv): a comprehensive professional degree for pastoral and ministry leadership
- Master of Arts (MA): specialized degrees in ministry, biblical studies, or theology
- Doctor of Ministry (DMin): advanced professional study in a shorter, practical format
All programs provide biblical, theological, and ministry formation to equip students for service in the Church.
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A Master of Arts in Ministry is a focused graduate degree designed to deepen your knowledge and skills in a specific area of ministry, such as pastoral leadership, counseling, or Christian education. It is shorter than an MDiv and allows students to specialize in their area of interest, while still receiving a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies.
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The Master of Divinity is a graduate degree designed to prepare students for ministry leadership and service. At Grace Theological Seminary, the MDiv is offered with multiple concentrations and is the foundational pastoral ministry degree.
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A Master of Arts (MA) is usually a specialized degree focusing on a particular area of ministry, theology, or biblical studies. It often requires fewer credits and is ideal for targeted ministry skills. A Master of Divinity (MDiv) is a comprehensive professional degree designed to prepare students for pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, or leadership in the church, covering theology, biblical studies, ministry practice, and spiritual formation.
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While requirements vary by denomination, most churches prefer pastors to have a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from an accredited seminary. An MDiv provides the theological foundation, ministry training, and spiritual formation necessary for pastoral leadership.
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The right seminary degree depends on your calling and ministry goals:
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- Choose an MDiv if you want to serve as a pastor, chaplain, or church leader.
- Choose an MA if you want specialized training in areas like biblical studies, counseling, or ministry leadership.
Faculty and admissions counselors at Grace can help you determine the best path based on your calling, experience, and career goals.
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Online, Flexibility & Life Fit
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Yes. Grace Theological Seminary offers fully online seminary degrees in our MDiv, MA, and Doctoral programs with the same faculty and curriculum as on-campus options. Learn more about our online seminary degrees.
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Yes. Online seminary degrees carry the same academic standing as residential programs, as the online seminary courses are taught by the same professors as in-person seminary.
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Online seminary programs allow you to study at times that fit your schedule, wherever you are. Typically, courses have assignments due at various times throughout the week.
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Yes. Grace Theological Seminary offers fully online Master of Divinity (MDiv) programs in multiple concentrations, providing the same high-quality seminary training as residential programs.
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Yes. Grace Seminary offers hybrid delivery methods, particularly at the doctoral level, where coursework is completed online with some required on-campus or concentrated seminar experiences mixed into the schedule. Learn more here.
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Yes. Grace Theological Seminary’s mission is to provide theological education wherever you are. Since we are a distance learning seminary, you can study from wherever you live through our online or hybrid programs.
Seminary Cost, Financial Aid & ROI
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Yes. Grace Theological Seminary offers financial aid and scholarships for seminary students, including institutional awards and federal aid for qualifying students. Learn more.
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Yes. Grace Theological Seminary offers a Church Matching Program where a sponsoring church’s scholarship is matched dollar for dollar (up to $500 per student per academic year), helping students reduce tuition costs with church support. Learn More.
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Tuition at Grace Theological Seminary is competitive and structured to be affordable. For residential and online master’s degree tuition, it’s $470 per credit hour. We also have a non-competitive scholarship that can bring the price as low as $420 per credit. Rates vary by program, including Deploy and doctoral programs, as listed here.
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Yes. financial aid for Seminary includes institutional scholarship, federal aid (through FAFSA), and specialized awards such as the GTS scholarship, Shepherd’s Endowment, Deploy scholarships, and church matching. Learn more here.
Admissions & Application Process
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You can apply to seminary by submitting an application through Grace Theological Seminary’s admissions process, including transcripts and other required documents, once you’ve decided on a program. Submit a 15-minute application today!
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Yes. At Grace Theological Seminary, most master’s programs normally require a four-year bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. However, students can pursue a Master of Divinity (MDiv) without a bachelor’s degree if they meet specific ministry experience and academic readiness standards. Prospective students without a bachelor’s degree should contact Seminary Admissions to discuss specific requirements and options.
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Seminary admission requirements for a master’s degree program at Grace Theological Seminary are the following:
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- Official Transcripts from your college or university
- A spiritual life reference
- For international applicants, TESOL test scores and financial documentation
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Student Experience & Support
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Seminary classes at Grace Theological Seminary average around 20 students.
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Yes. Grace Theological Seminary emphasizes spiritual formation as part of its mission to teach, train, and transform students for ministry, helping learners grow spiritually as they study and prepare to serve Christ and His Church.
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Yes. In programs like the Deploy competency-based theological education track, students are paired with a faculty mentor who provides guidance on coursework and theological development. In addition, students receive formation and ministry mentors to support their personal and ministry growth.