Pre-ministerial Studies
Students wanting to enter seminary or full-time ministerial work after their undergraduate years may pursue any major they choose. Students at SMU come from many denominations, for example, Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Disciples of Christ, and others. Likewise, pre-ministerial students represent several major denominations.
HIGHLIGHTS
A liberal arts major in Dedman College is highly encouraged, for the analytical tools as well as the historical and social perspectives gained. Suitable majors include English, History, Sociology, Psychology, Religious Studies, International Studies, Ethnic Studies, Philosophy, and Languages. For instance, someone interested in a career in pastoral counseling may benefit from an undergraduate foundation in Psychology. A student of Sociology will have a solid understanding of problematic social issues such as poverty and civil rights. Additionally, music is an appropriate major for students interested in pursuing graduate work in Sacred Music.
Successful ministers must be intelligent, compassionate, inquisitive, and interested in social issues. They must also possess emotional fortitude. Pre-ministerial students have the opportunity through coursework, academic guidance, self-reflection and internship experiences to determine if they are good candidates for the ministry.
Admission requirements to graduate programs vary from seminary to seminary across the country. Steps toward ordination may vary significantly from denomination to denomination as well. Students can seek guidance about the necessary guidelines for their particular denomination.
Interested students should see the pre-ministerial academic adviser:
Mrs. Shelley Shepherd
115 Clements Hall
scarnes@mail.smu.edu
214-768-3415
214-768-3056 fax
WHERE DO SMU PRE-MINISTERIAL STUDENTS GO TO GRADUATE PROGRAMS?
Our students have entered graduate programs at Perkins School of Theology at SMU, Bethel Seminary, Duke Divinity School, Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and others.
COURSES OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO PRE-MINISTERIAL STUDENTS:
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Anthropology: Cultural Anthropology; Health, Healing, and Ethics; Economic and Political Change in Global Society; Human Ecology; Culture & Diversity in American Life
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Cultural Formations: Bioethics from Christian Perspective; Human Rights; Venture of Islam; Human Sexuality; Religion and the Holocaust; The Hero in the Bible and the Ancient Near East; Utopia, Voyage to a Possible Future; Science/Religion/Magic in Early Modern Europe; Religion as Story; Pew to Bleacher: American Culture and Institutions; Creativity/Discovery/Science; Literature of Religious Reflection
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English:Contemporary Issues; Literature of Minorities; Interpreting, Understanding, and Doubting; The Ethical, the Catastrophic, and Human Responsibility; Ethical Issues/Community Action
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Philosophy: Contemporary Moral Problems; Medical Ethics; Elementary Logic; Minds, Machines, and Persons; Problems in the Philosophy of Religion
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Psychology: Health Psychology; Social Psychology; The Person in Psychology and Literature
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Religious Studies: Ways of Being Religious; Introduction to Eastern Religions; Introduction to Primal Religions; Introduction to Christian Theology; Introduction to Buddhism; Introduction to the Hindu Tradition; Christian Ethics and Moral Issues; Religion in Politics; The Social-Scientific Study of Religion
