Academics
The mission of the General Theological Seminary is to "educate and form leaders for the church in a changing world." GTS does this chiefly through its Master of Divinity program, which prepares men and women for ordination, primarily in the Episcopal Church. The M.Div. requires a foundation curriculum in Old Testament, New Testament, church history, systematic theology, ethics, ascetical theology, liturgics, homiletics, and pastoral theology. Elective courses allow students to more deeply explore areas of particular interest and, if studying full-time, the Master of Divinity is generally completed in three years.
There are several additional degree programs offered, including the Master of Arts, Master of Sacred Theology, and Doctor of Theology. In recent years the seminary has widely expanded its programs of study for lay leaders and commuter students including an expansion of its programs in spiritual direction. The seminary also offers a one-year Diploma in Anglican Studies that is often sought by students who are seeking ordination in the Episcopal Church but earned their M.Div. from a non-Anglican seminary. Additionally, GTS operates The Center for Christian Spirituality.
Since 1880 the General Theological Seminary has annually hosted the Paddock Lectures, which were founded by benefactor George A. Jarvis and named in honor of The Rt. Rev. Benjamin Henry Paddock, Class of 1852. The lectures have featured many of the world's top theologians including Francis J. Hall, Diogenes Allen and William Temple.
The seminary has been accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada since 1938.
Read more about this topic: General Theological Seminary
Famous quotes containing the word academics:
“Almost all scholarly research carries practical and political implications. Better that we should spell these out ourselves than leave that task to people with a vested interest in stressing only some of the implications and falsifying others. The idea that academics should remain “above the fray” only gives ideologues license to misuse our work.”
—Stephanie Coontz (b. 1944)
“Our first line of defense in raising children with values is modeling good behavior ourselves. This is critical. How will our kids learn tolerance for others if our hearts are filled with hate? Learn compassion if we are indifferent? Perceive academics as important if soccer practice is a higher priority than homework?”
—Fred G. Gosman (20th century)