Degree Programs

Degrees Awarded

City Seminary grants four degrees which fall into two categories, graduate and undergraduate (described below). Auditing and a non-degree certificate of study are also available. Both male and female students may earn degrees; however, only male students are admitted to the two divinity degree programs.

Graduate Degrees:

1. Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)
2. Master of Divinity (M.Div.).

Undergraduate Degrees:

1. Associate of Theological Studies (A.T.S.)
2. Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.)

Graduate Degree Programs of Study

These degrees are available for those who have secured at least a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and successfully complete all the requirements of the program for graduation. All graduate degree programs require that the student has first earned an undergraduate college degree, typically a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

1. Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

The program of study for the M.Div. is designed to produce a well-rounded, knowledgable, and competent minister of the gospel. The M.Div. is a graduate degree awarded to those who have successfully completed 98 semester credit hours in the disciplines of Systematics, Biblical Languages, Apologetics, Church History, Pastoral Studies, and studies in both Old and New Testament. All courses offered at City Seminary are required for this degree, except those marked “elective.”   There is an order to theological instruction that builds upon previously laid foundations. Students should attempt, whenever possible, to take courses in the recommended sequence. A suggested schedule may be secured from the Registrar. Students from the Reformed Church in the United States are to complete the Casimir College curriculum as well. The M.Div. normally takes a full-time student four years to complete.

2. Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)

The degree of Master of Theological Studies is a graduate degree awarded to those who have completed 48 semester credit hours of seminary instruction. Each candidate for this degree must choose an area of concentration, e.g., Apologetics, Church History, New Testament, Old Testament, Practical Theology, or Systematics. All non-elective courses in the chosen area of concentration, as well as their prerequisites, will be required for the degree. Further, PT601, ST551 and ST591 will be required for each concentration. The student will complete his degree with courses from the other disciplines. The M.T.S. normally takes a full-time student two years to complete.

Note: The M.T.S. degree may be subsequently awarded to those who have earned the Associate of Theological Studies (A.T.S.) degree upon presentation, at a later date, of evidence that the graduate has earned and been awarded a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. At the time of application for the upgraded degree, the student must pay a fifty dollar ($50) fee and submit a thirty-page paper, with a minimum bibliography of thirty recognized scholarly resources, demonstrating his ability to integrate theological education with other disciplines of learning.

Undergraduate Degree Programs of Study

These two degrees are for those who have not completed a college degree program of study:  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.). City Seminary offers two undergraduate degrees to non-college graduates, provided that such applicants have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Although it is customary for theological students to secure a baccalaureate degree in the liberal arts (B.A.) before entering seminary, City Seminary recognizes that unusual circumstances often prevent this (for example, a man may be called to the ministry later in life). Undergraduate students must register for courses with division numbers less than 500. The requirements for these courses will be commensurate with an undergraduate level of study.

1. The Degree of Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.)

The Bachelor of Divinity degree (B.D.) is an undergraduate degree awarded to those who have successfully completed 98 semester hours of credit in undergraduate courses. All undergraduate courses offered at the seminary are required for this degree, except those specifically marked “elective.” Instruction will include the following disciplines: Apologetics, Church History, Old and New Testaments (including the original languages of Scripture), Pastoral Theology, and Systematic Theology. Students from the Reformed Church in the United States are to complete the Casimir College curriculum as well.

2. The Degree of Associate of Theological Studies (A.T.S.)

As with the B.D. program (see above), City Seminary may admit a limited number of students without a baccalaureate degree into its A.T.S. program. Restrictions identical to those for the B.D. program apply.

Note: The M.T.S. degree may be subsequently awarded to those who have earned the Associate of Theological Studies (A.T.S.) degree upon presentation, at a later date, of evidence that the graduate has earned and been awarded a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. At the time of application for the upgraded degree, the student must pay a fifty dollar ($50) fee and submit a thirty-page paper, with a minimum bibliography of thirty recognized scholarly resources, demonstrating his ability to integrate theological education with other disciplines of learning.

Certificate of Study

City Seminary also offers the Certified Program of Study. This program is designed especially for those currently serving in the ministry who feel a deficiency in a particular area of study, or who wish to concentrate their efforts in a given discipline without necessarily embarking on a degree program. Certificates will be awarded upon completion of required classes and by recommendation of the faculty. Credits earned in certificated programs will, in most cases, count toward completion of the seminary degree, should the student later choose to pursue that goal.

Certificates will be offered in each department of theological study (Apologetics, Church History, New Testament, Old Testament, Systematic Theology, and Pastoral Theology). Students desiring to enroll in a certificated program in Systematic Theology must be able to demonstrate a minimal knowledge of the Greek language and historical philosophy.