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A seminary or '''theological college''' is a specialized and often live-in Higher Education institution for the purpose of instructing students (''seminarians'') in Philosophy , Theology , Spirituality and the religious life, usually in order to prepare them to become members of the Clergy . The English word is taken from the Latin ''seminarium'', translated as ''seed-bed''. In the Occident , the term historically refers to Christian educational institutes for Clergy (mostly Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic , as many Protestant denominations preferred another term for their theological colleges). HISTORY OF SEMINARIES The establishment of modern seminary institutions was a direct result of Roman Catholic reforms of the Counter-Reformation after the Council Of Trent which insisted on the improvement of the education of clergy through the creation of seminaries as live-in institutions under the direct control of senior clergy. This later led, when literacy was not universal, to the creation of Minor Seminaries to educate young boys for the priesthood. The Tridentine model of seminary was one of a live in, almost monastic community where lifestyle and prayer habits were carefully monitored and corrected as a means to reforming pre-Reformation abuses among the clergy. The seminary institutions were in contrast to the freer intellectual atmosphere of the Universities. The tridentine seminaries placed great emphasis on personal discipline as well as the teaching of philosophy as a preparation for theology; an approach that was explicitly rejected by Protestant reformers such as John Calvin . The Tridentine model of seminary has since been adopted and adapted by other Christian denominations as well as by modern American Judaism, though now in a more open fashion than the Tridentine model, and often without the Catholic emphasis on the pre-requisite study of philosophy and the Catholic requirement to live on campus within the Christian community of the seminary. MINOR SEMINARIES See Also: Minor seminary In post-Reformation Europe, and in modern nations where literacy is not yet universal, Minor Seminaries often exist as Church-funded high schools to prepare younger boys for later entry into adult seminary education. The stated purposes of minor seminaries include ensuring a high standard of literacy, numeracy and humanities in potential students for the priesthood as well as exemplary instruction and modelling in prayer, worship and ethical behaviour. Minor seminaries are also being re-established by Traditionalist Catholics who use the Tridentine rite in the modern United States. Hughes, Benedict. ''"The Foundation of St. Joseph Minor Seminary"'' as published in Adsum, the newsletter of Mater Dei Seminary. Retrieved from Religious Congregation of Mary Immaculate Queen, Latin Mass (CMRI) on August 27, 2006. FORMATION AND EDUCATION While the Tridentine seminary model was one of in-house "formation", modern seminary institutions now sometimes co-exist with ''theological colleges'', such as in the United Kingdom , where they are the live-in college of another Tertiary institution. In this case the Academic Institutions are typically called a ''school of theology'' or ''divinity school''. They usually offer undergraduate and graduate degrees (such as the Bachelor Of Theology , Bachelor Of Sacred Theology , M.Div. , Th.M. , D.Min. , etc.). Bible College s provide a different type of religious education, specifically excluding the study of philosophy and Systematic Theology , and are often focused on the Undergraduate level, being either Evangelical or Fundamentalist in orientation. Such institutions may also focus more on Lay education. Some accredited Roman Catholic seminaries have their Degrees conferred by a Pontifical University and through the Vatican Congregation for Seminaries and Universities. Although the primary purpose of a seminary is to prepare and equip candidates for religious service in the Church or Synagogue —congregational leadership—many people not intending to become such leaders may study in seminaries. Qualifications may be obtained majoring in pastoral work and similar fields, as well as in the more Academic Disciplines . Many Monk s and Nun s attend a seminary to enhance their qualifications. It is also quite common for Lay People to study in a seminary to enhance their spiritual life, to explore academic interests, or to prepare for non-ordained ministries (for example, Choir directors or Sunday School Teacher s). Many Christian Denominations cooperate in providing Theological education for students preparing for Ordination and a number of consortia or other cooperative arrangements have been established, for example in Australia there are the Melbourne and Adelaide Colleges of Divinity and the Australian College Of Theology comprising a number of seminaries working together. In the United States, organizations such as American Evangelistic Association, established in 1954, ordain pastors through an online seminary located in Tucson, Arizona called American Institute For Biblical Studies . {Link without Title} ACCREDITATION AND STATE LAWS In the United States, besides regional Accreditors to approve academics in seminaries, there are four major religious accreditors. These are the Association Of Advanced Rabbinical And Talmudic Schools , the Association For Biblical Higher Education , the Association Of Theological Schools In The United States And Canada , and the Transnational Association Of Christian Colleges And Schools . These four groups are recognized as legitimate accreditors by the United States Department Of Education (USDE) and the Council For Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Depending on the specific applicable state laws, it can be illegal to use the name "seminary" and issue degrees without meeting minimum standards. In 2005, '', Aug. 31, 2007 The state of Washington passed a bill in March 2006 "prohibiting false or misleading college degrees." (The text is [http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2005-06/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Law%202006/2507-S.SL.pdf here .) The legislature "unanimously amended and approved a bill that would make issuing or using a fake or otherwise unaccredited degree a class C felony, a crime of fraud that could warrant five years in prison and a $10,000 fine."[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/261687_diploma03ww.html] In Australia , Germany , and the United Kingdom it is a criminal offense to issue university degrees without authorization through an act of federal or state parliament. {Link without Title} {Link without Title} {Link without Title} LDS YOUTH SEMINARIES See Also: Church Educational System#Seminaries The word ''seminary'' is also applied by members of the The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints to a school of religious education for youths ages 14-18 that accompanies normal secular education. The seminary education system of the LDS Church provides extensive study of theology using as texts the "standard works" of the church ( Old Testament , New Testament , Book Of Mormon and Doctrine And Covenants ) throughout the school week, in addition to normal Sunday classes. The 4 courses are taught, 1 per year, on a rotating basis (the 2007-2008 curriculum follows the Old Testament and the Pearl of Great Price). These types of seminaries schedule classes before or after regular school time, or negotiate agreed Released Time permits with the nearest Public School districts to allow students to voluntarily leave school grounds for an allotted amount of time (usually one class period) to receive seminary education. In communities with significant LDS populations, seminary facilities are commonly built on Church-owned properties that immediately neighbor the grounds of state-owned public schools, allowing individual students to simply walk between school and seminary during their scheduled release time. These arrangements work to ease the integration of secular and religious study into a youth's school day without inappropriately (or illegally) violating the Separation Of Church And State in secular society. In many cases, seminary is held before school. This is referred to as "early morning seminary" and is often held at a member's house or local church building. Early morning seminary is very common when there are not enough LDS members that attend the local school to justify building a seminary classroom. Seminary teachers for early morning seminary are called as volunteers and do not receive remuneration for their time.
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