Bachelor in Pre-Ministry

For those called to serve

We have a special interest in preparing students for service in the church, including the ordained ministry, parish work, diaconal ministry, social ministry, and ministry in music.

Preparation for graduate theological study, ministry, and church occupations includes academic instruction, spiritual maturation, and experiential learning.

While you may major in any field, you’re encouraged to emphasize the broadening aspects of the liberal arts, to acquire reading skills in Classical or New Testament (Koiné) Greek, and to study a language likely to be spoken by those whom they may be called to serve.

Our historical relationship with the Lutheran Church (ELCA) attracts many students to its service, but graduates have also entered service in many other denominations.

Seminary Preparation

As a church-related university noted for academic excellence and service-learning, we’re well positioned to prepare and equip students through academic preparation, spiritual formation and experimental learning.

Academic Preparation

• A broad-based liberal arts education aims to expand your mind, enlarge your horizons and help you develop critical thinking skills;
• The Central Curriculum encourages you to cross boundaries between disciplines and integrate the various fields of learning;
• Majors and minors in religion, philosophy and other disciplines are especially appropriate for those preparing for lay or ordained ministry;
• Susquehanna’s ethos that encourages intellectual growth, promotes personal development, and values creativity and imagination;
• A highly qualified, committed and caring faculty provides strong advising and individual mentoring.

Spiritual Formation

• An extensive and energetic religious life program;
• Multiple worship opportunities on campus, and in numerous congregations in the community;
• Organized and informal opportunities to cultivate a life of faithful prayer, reflection, service and action;
• Vocational counseling and mentoring with the chaplain;
• Life in close community with others-some holding beliefs and values consistent with your own, others subscribing to divergent beliefs and values.

Experiential Learning

• Abundant leadership opportunities in a variety of religious life organizations, programs and events;
• Internships, externships and practica through the Department of Religion and Philosophy;
• The Student Deacon Program in the Chaplain’s Office;
• Winter, spring and summer break service learning trips;
• Outreach ministries.

Advising

You’ll benefit from close cooperation between the chaplain and members of the Department of Philosophy and Religion. These faculty members are available to assist you with course selection, internship/externship/practica possibilities, exploring the nature of the call to ministry and discovering opportunities for professional service in the church.

A vocational discernment library as well as the catalogs of a number of seminaries are available in the Office of the Chaplain. Each year, the Office of the Chaplain hosts a Church Vocations Day for seminary admissions officers and interested students.

Seminary Placements

• Recent graduates have attended
• Seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
• The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
• The Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
• The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
• Trinity Lutheran Seminary
• Wartburg Lutheran Seminary
• Luther Seminary
• Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
• Seminaries of other denominations and traditions
• Princeton Theological Seminary
• Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
• Wheaton Graduate School of Theology
• Eden Theological Seminary
• Methodist Theological School in Ohio
• North Park Theological Seminary

Our students thrive, and you will too, as you are mentored by professors who are both experts in their fields and exceptional teachers. Coursework at Susquehanna is intense — you will enjoy personalized attention from your faculty as they help you learn and develop the skills you need to be a job and/or graduate school ready.

Many schools talk about study abroad but at Susquehanna, everyone does it. We are nationally recognized for our commitment to global experiences and cultural competence through our innovative Global Opportunities (GO) program.

Mission

We educate students for productive, creative, and reflective lives of achievement, leadership, and service in a diverse, dynamic and interdependent world.

Academics

You'll choose from more than 100 majors and minors, as well as pre-professional programs and an interdisciplinary honors program.

The School of the Arts, School of Humanities, School of Natural & Social Sciences and the AACSB accredited Sigmund Weis School of Business offer Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Music degrees.

You'll benefit from our exceptional faculty and small classes that facilitate participation. Our innovative curriculum encourages breadth and depth of study as you develop your skillset, and participation in our Global Opportunities program develops your cultural competence.

In essence, the world is open to you when you choose Susquehanna University.

Susquehanna is an accredited, not-for-profit institution which means that our programs are both certified and recognized for their excellence. Our accreditations include the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the American Chemical Society, and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. We're also a member of the Annapolis Group, an organization of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges.