discover princeton seminary

DISCOVER PRINCETON SEMINARY

A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT BARNES

Dear Friends and Prospective Students,

I warmly invite you to explore Princeton Theological Seminary, a place where students discover God’s calling in their lives and are equipped to respond faithfully to it. We are a community of faith and scholarship that is ecumenical, international, and intercultural. The center of our life together is Jesus Christ, in whom we find unity amidst our rich and wonderful diversity.

For more than 200 years, Princeton Seminary has been carrying out its mission to prepare leaders for the church of Jesus Christ. We are committed to academic excellence in a residential learning environment because it leads to the formation of faithful and effective Christian leaders. Our curriculum is designed to prepare our students for the evolving world of ministry. Our graduates go forth from this place as pastors, chaplains, teachers, missionaries, and nonprofit staff members to serve the church and the world.

If God is calling you to consider Christian leadership, we invite you to discover your vocation among us. Be our guest and join us for one of our programs for prospective students—a Princeton Seminar or a L.I.V.E. Symposium. You will discover there is a place for you here at Princeton Seminary.

M. Craig BarnesPresident and Professor of Pastoral MinistryClass of 1981

Visit ptsem.edu to listen to President Barnes’s sermons.

M. CRAIG BARNES | President and Professor of Pastoral Ministry | 1

MISSIONPrinceton Theological Seminary prepares women and men to serve Jesus Christ in ministries marked by FAITH, INTEGRITY, SCHOLARSHIP, COMPETENCE, COMPASSION, and JOY, equipping them for leadership worldwide in congregations and the larger church, in classrooms and the academy, and in the public arena. Princeton Seminary is a professional and graduate school of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and stands within the Reformed tradition.

TO SCHEDULE A VISIT, call the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at 609.497.7805, email admissions@ptsem.edu, or go to ptsem.edu and click on Admissions.

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Princeton is intellectually rigorous and diverse in

perspective. On a daily basis, I AM CHALLENGED

PERSONALLY AND COMMUNALLY to cherish both my

roots and my growth.”

“KENDRA CHAVIS

student

DISCOVER ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

KENDRA CHAVIS | student | 5

Hands down, THE BEST THING ABOUT PRINCETON

SEMINARY IS THE STUDENTS. Our students blend

rigorous academics with practical excellence. They

are passionate and imaginative theologians. They

have grace, gumption, and grit. But what I admire

most is their hope, their heart-stopping confidence

that God is up to something magnificent in the

world, and their awe at getting to be a part of that.”

“KENDA CREASY DEAN

Professor of Youth, Church, and Culture

KENDA CREASY DEAN | Professor of Youth, Church, and Culture | 7

One of the defining features of Princeton Seminary

is its academic strength—THE PROFESSORS ARE

RENOWNED SCHOLARS AND EXPERTS in their fields.”

“SANTIAGO NORORI

student

SANTIAGO NORORI | student | 9

Faith and scholarship go hand-in-hand at Princeton Seminary. The outstanding faculty, challenging curriculum, hands-on field education program, and residential learning community will equip you for dynamic Christian leadership. A Princeton education INSPIRES students to WORK BOLDLY, DREAM BIG, and EXCEL in the evolving world of ministry.

6 Degree Programs:Master of Arts (tracks: Spiritual Formation and Mission, Youth Ministry, or Teaching)Master of Arts in Theological StudiesMaster of DivinityMaster of Divinity/Master of Arts Dual-degreeMaster of TheologyDoctor of Philosophy

Opportunities are available that allow students to specialize in black church studies and women’s studies.

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF CAMPUS.Visit ptsem.edu and click on Admissions.

90% of students receive a need-based tuition grant or a merit-based scholarship

is the ratio of faculty to students

90%1:12

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The Old Testament faculty is well-respected

among biblical scholars for its historical-critical

scholarship. STUDENTS AND FACULTY PUSH ME TO

THINK ABOUT PHILOLOGICAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL,

AND HISTORICAL ANYALYSIS of the Hebrew Bible

from a wide variety of theological viewpoints.”

“BRIAN RAINEY

Assistant Professor of Old Testament

BRIAN RAINEY | Assistant Professor of Old Testament | 13

The Seminary’s new 92,000-square-foot library is an intellectual village for students, pastors, and scholars. With natural light pouring in from the central four-story atrium, plush seating throughout, and a café providing space for conversation and community-building, it provides a breathtaking setting for study and scholarly discovery.

The library holds one of the world’s most important and respected theological collections and is at the forefront of exciting new developments in information technology and digital access.

Did you know the library…

museum quality artifacts, and other special collections

1 million books

American Collection of 25,000 Spanish and Portuguese books and 1,300 periodicals

15,000 texts annually

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The library provides a stimulating environment

in which to do research. THE BREADTH OF ITS

COLLECTION IS ASTOUNDING, and it offers a wealth

of resources for studying the New Testament. The

helpful personnel make visiting the library all the

more enjoyable.”

“LISA BOW

ENS

Assistant Professor of New Testament

LISA BOWENS | Assistant Professor of New Testament | 17

The professors are some of the best in their fields,

and many of them are ordained pastors. The

students come from a variety of backgrounds and

are bright, talented, fun, well-rounded people.

TOGETHER, MY PROFESSORS AND MY PEERS CREATE

AN INTELLECTUALLY STIMULATING ENVIRONMENT

where people take their faith and their studies

seriously, but know when not to take themselves

too seriously!”

“ANN-HENLEY SAUNDERS

student

ANN-HENLEY SAUNDERS | student | 19

One of Princeton’s greatest advantages is that learning takes place in a residential community of students who worship together, enjoy meals together, and minister to each other and to the community. What they learn from each other complements and strengthens what is taught in the classroom. This experience of community formation prepares students for Christian leadership in theologically and culturally diverse environments.

Incoming students receive a warm welcome through the Anam Cara (an Irish term meaning “soul friend”) program, which helps them get acquainted with seminary life. For the first six weeks of classes, returning students mentor new students in one-on-one relationships. Another initiative, Navigating the Waters, equips students to thrive as members of a diverse community. These and other programs emphasize the importance of respect and integrity, which provide a foundation for a healthy community.

DISCOVER A VIBRANT COMMUNITY

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50% of students are 27 or older and 24 is the average age of a student 50%

of master’s-level students come from racial-ethnic population groups

of master’s-level students are women 34% 44%

In a time when learning is becoming fractured

and isolated by commuter campuses and online

delivery systems, Princeton’s COMMITMENT TO THE

SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF THE LEARNING PROCESS

remains one of its hallmark commitments.”

“BRUCE M

cCORMACK

Professor of Systematic Theology

BRUCE McCORMACK | Professor of Systematic Theology | 23

In our ecumenical setting, scholarship and spiritual formation are woven together. Worship is rooted in the Reformed tradition, but embraces worship styles and music from the breadth of the Christian tradition.

The Seminary community—students, faculty, staff, and administrators—gather in Miller Chapel daily for worship and share the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper every Friday. President Barnes preaches weekly. Students regularly participate in Bible study and in prayer groups as well as group and individual spiritual direction.

The largest denomination represented in the entering class is the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Other denominations include the United Methodist Church, the Assemblies of God Church, the Reformed Church in America, several Baptist denominations, the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Wesleyan Church.

Christian denominations are represented in our student body48

JOHN WHITE | Dean of Student Life and Vice President for Student Relations | 25

Accepting the fact that Christians do not have

to agree in order to love each other was both

THE GREATEST GIFT AND THE GREATEST HURDLE

I ENCOUNTERED during my time at Princeton

Seminary.”

“FERNANDO RODRÍGUEZ QUIÑONES

Class of 2008, New Church Development Pastor,

Inglesia Nueva Creacíon, Indianapolis, IndianaMore than 11,000 Princeton Seminary graduates are serving throughout the world. Although most Princeton Seminary graduates serve in pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, or teaching, it is more and more common for graduates to use their degrees to provide leadership for nonprofits, NGO’s, community organizing efforts, and other emerging forms of Christian service to the world.

FERNANDO RODRÍGUEZ QUIÑONES | Class of 2008 | 27

As a residential community of learning, students not only take classes together, but share life together in a way that extends and deepens the educational experience. It is a crucial part of how we prepare students for ministry.

Princeton Seminary is located a block away from Princeton University. Students are permitted to enroll in courses at the University that are complimentary to their course of study. The Seminary is also just a few blocks from historic downtown Princeton’s shops, restaurants, and historical sites. Located an hour away from New York City, and Philadelphia students take advantage of everything those major cities have to offer.

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100% of students are guaranteed housing 100%

Princeton Theological Seminary is rare among

seminaries in the U.S. today in that IT OFFERS

THE GIFT OF COMMUNITY FORMATION FOR ITS

RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS. You’ll form lifelong

friendships as you discern God’s calling in your life.”

“BO KAREN LEE

Associate Professor of Spirituality and Historical Theology

GET INVOLVED! There are more than 20 student organizations at Princeton Seminary.

Asian Association at PTS, Association of Black Seminarians, Association of Latina/o Seminarians, BGLASS, Community Action Network, International Students and Friends Network, Koinonia, Stewardship and Missions, Sustainability, Women’s Center, OR create your own!

BO KAREN LEE | Associate Professor of Spirituality and Historical Theology | 31

Field education is essential to a seminary

experience. IT IS THE PLACE WHERE CLASSROOM

LEARNING COMES ALIVE IN PRACTICAL AND

ENGAGING WAYS.”

“VIENNA PAE

student

Field education at Princeton prepares students for the changing world of ministry. Students learn through hands-on experience in churches, hospitals, social service and government agencies, colleges, and mission sites, both in the United States and internationally. Whether in south Philadelphia or South Africa, field education placements take classroom learning into the world, providing leadership opportunities and clarifying a sense of calling.

The Seminary has more than 500 field education sites around the world.

VIENNA PAE | student | 33

DISCOVER HOW TO DO MINISTRY IN THE 21ST CENTURY

By the end of my first year of field education

at Iglesia Presbiteriana Nueva Vida in Trenton,

New Jersey, I felt confident and comfortable

choosing a text, writing a sermon, and preaching in

Spanish. Preaching in Spanish allows more freedom

for a charismatic-kind of preaching. THAT WAS A

NEW EXPERIENCE FOR ME, but also one that I grew

to appreciate.”

“M

ICAIAH THOMAS

student

Did you know? Field education offers several special

programs, which include teaching

ministry, an international program,

clinical pastoral education, and

urban ministry.

MICAIAH THOMAS | student | 35

At the university level I work to CREATE A SACRED

SPACE FOR STUDENTS TO FLOURISH ON CAMPUS—

to be supported, nurtured, and spiritually fed. I’m

exercising the rites of ministry that I was ordained

to do, but in a setting that is outside of the church.”

“DEBORAH BLANKS

Class of 1990,

Associate Dean of Religious Life and The Chapel, Princeton University

Princeton offers something for everyone. You’ll be challenged, inspired, and your ministry will benefit from diverse theological and cultural perspectives. To see what Princeton Seminary has to offer, be our guest! Join us for a Princeton Seminar or attend the L.I.V.E. Symposium. Attend classes, meet the faculty, talk with students, attend worship, and schedule an interview.

Visit to see what Princeton Seminary has to offer!

DEBORAH BLANKS | Class of 1990 | 37

TO SCHEDULE A VISIT, call the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at 609.497.7805, email admissions@ptsem.edu, or go to ptsem.edu and click on Admissions.