Laptop computers and opened books spotted all over the campus at Hood Theological Seminary marked the start of a new academic year on Aug. 25.
Registration is up 8 percent from last fall and 6 percent from the spring semester. Because of the downturn in the country’s economy, this was the first year Hood intentionally recruited new students.
Many people wanted to attend seminary but were uncertain of their ability to pay the cost. The economy notwithstanding, Hood enrolled a remarkably strong class this fall.
Because Hood is a graduate school, all its degree students have at least a baccalaureate degree from a college or university with regional accreditation. Its doctoral students have a Master of Divinity degree from a divinity school or theological seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. and Canada.
Hood offers a small non-degree program in Christian ministry for those already engaged in ministry but who might not have a degree and are not seminary trained.
Because many seminary students today are bi-vocational, Hood offers its Master’s degree programs on campus in two tracks. In Track I, students meet for classes Tuesday through Thursday each week. In Track II, other students meet for classes on Friday nights and Saturdays.
Hood has an extension program in Alabama that instructs students primarily through interactive video conferencing. There are two classrooms on the Rowan campus equipped with the technology and two classrooms at the campus in Alabama equipped with similar technology.
Hood’s incoming class this fall consists of 67 students pursuing degree programs as follows: Doctor of Ministry – 8; Master of Divinity – 47; Master of Theological Studies – 4; Non-degree – 1; and Diploma in Ministry – 5.
Hood Seminary has become one of the most racially and denominationally inclusive among the approximately 150 accredited theological seminaries and divinity schools in the Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. and Canada.
“Hood Seminary would not have made such significant strides since its independence nine years ago without the support of the sponsoring denomination, the AME Zion Church, and the benevolence and good will of many citizens in Salisbury,” said Hood Theological Seminary President Aymer.