Orthodox Graduate Studies

[Maksim]

Does anyone here have any experience with attending a seminary for the purpose of graduate study?  In other words, without the intention of entering the priesthood? 

I know that Holy Cross and St. Vladimir's both offer programs along those lines....are there any other seminaries or institutions worth looking into?

[Fr. George]

Does anyone here have any experience with attending a seminary for the purpose of graduate study?  In other words, without the intention of entering the priesthood? 

I know that Holy Cross and St. Vladimir's both offer programs along those lines....are there any other seminaries or institutions worth looking into? 

If you wish to enter the priesthood and want to study in this country, your options are limited: Holy Cross and St. Vladimirs, St. Tikhon's, St. Herman of Alaska (in Alaska), Christ the Saviour (Johnstown, PA - ACROD) and the Serbian Seminary near Chicago are the ones I know of.  Each school will take students from any jurisdiction, but your jurisdiction may have a preference as to where you go (because of differences in the way the services are done, supplementary languages, music, etc.).



HC and St. Vlad's are the biggest and best-known of the Seminaries.  Each one has its pros and cons.
The others are smaller and will provide a distinctly different environment.

[arimethea]

If you are wanting graduate studies in order to pursue a further degree such as a doctorate then I would limit yourself to Holy Cross or St. Vladimir's. It would really depend on what you want to do with your degree as to which of these schools you would choose.

There are also a few opportunities outside of a seminary where you can receive an Orthodox experience in pursuing a Masters degree. There is the Orthodox Institute in San Fransisco along with programs in Durham and Oxford England. If your Greek is excellent then you also have the Universities in Thessaloníki and Athens.

Feel free to PM with what you hope to accomplish and I will tell the you some of the pro and cons of each of these places.

[Elisha]

There is the Orthodox Institute in San Fransisco along with programs in Durham and Oxford England.

I assume you're referring to the Patriarch Athenagoras Institute, which is on the UC Berkeley campus.

[recent convert]

There is a correspondance St Stephen's course in Orthodox theology for lay persons from the Antiochian Orthodox church: http://www.antiochian.org/638

[Thomas]

Those who attended St Stephens course may attend an additional year and get a masters Degree from Balamond University in Lebanon thru the same program.  Ordained Clergy may do the same for their Doctorate as well. This is the Graduate School for the Antiochian Patriarchate.

thomas

[Maksim]

Thanks for all of the advice, everyone.

Basically I'm just looking to further my own understanding of Orthodox theology and history.  I was a philosophy major in college, and I guess I'd like to move my understanding of philosophical issues into a more Orthodox framework.  If I ended up doing anything with the degree, I might be interested in teaching or academic work of some sort. 

So, given that, are the smaller seminaries ruled out?  I have read that Christ the Savior (ACROD) in Johnstown PA has a program for laymen, but I don't have a good sense of how advanced it is compared to Holy Cross or St. Vlad's.

[serb1389]

If you're looking for a place in Pennsylvania I would HIGHLY recomend St. Tikhon's Seminary, which really has a great program. 

I would say that Holy Cross and St. Vladimir's are definitely advanced in terms of academic studies.  All the different schools have something different to offer. 

Numbers might be a factor for you too.  Holy Cross is pretty expensive and all the other schools are more or less affordable. 

Also at HC there is an Undergraduate program at Hellenic College, so that adds a different dynamic as well. 

What I would suggest is to call each school and see what they have to say, come up with some questions to ask them. 

Also I HIGHLY recomend that you visit the campus of the school you are interested in. 

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