The Association of Theological Schools recommends the following guidelines to its member schools to offer as counsel for students who are preparing for graduate-level seminary studies:
- Schools should require evidence that a student has developed to a satisfactory degree the ability to think independently, to communicate effectively, and to do research.
- Students should possess a basic general knowledge of past and present culture through studies in the humanities and in the natural and social sciences.
- The biblical languages are useful tools which may be acquired in the pre-seminary period. Other language study may also be helpful, including modern languages such as German, French, and Spanish.
- Generally speaking, it is desirable that applicants have some study in each of the areas listed below:
- English, Speech
- History, Geography, Cultural Studies
- Philosophy, Ethics
- Social Sciences, Psychology
- Management
- Fine Arts (Music, Art, Drama, Cinema)
- Natural Sciences
- Mathematics, Statistics
- Modern Foreign Languages
- Biblical Studies
- Religious Studies (History, Theology, Ministry)
- Biblical and Classical Languages
- Professional Studies
Canadian Baptist Theology Seminary strongly encourages students to consider ministry within a bi-vocational context. Therefore, undergraduate training which produces a “marketable” skill is advantageous for a variety of ministry applications.