discover princeton seminary
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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 [email protected], 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 [email protected], or go to ptsem.edu and click on Admissions.