Ministry programs prepare people to work as ministers or priests. Students learn history, ethics, church law, and ritual. They also learn to organize and manage a church or parish.

Usually career choices are best made for reasons of self-fulfillment. Most people should do what satisfies their personal needs. But you may feel a call to serve the needs of others and to serve God. And if you have the skills - or the ability to develop them - sufficient to be able to play a leadership role, you may want to consider the ministry or priesthood.

Some Protestant denominations have no formal educational requirements for the ministry. But for most, you need at least a bachelor's degree. This normally requires four years beyond high school. And most often you need to spend an additional three years in seminary to earn a master of divinity degree. For the Roman Catholic priesthood, you may spend an additional year or two in a pre-theology program when you first enter seminary. Often, for both Catholics and Protestants, some of this time is spent doing one or more pastoral internships.

About 75 colleges offer bachelor's programs in the ministry. And there are about 200 seminaries in the U.S. But the number of schools affiliated with your church may be small. You may find it acceptable to study at a nondenominational seminary. Another option may be to study at one affiliated with a church whose doctrine is fairly compatible with that of your own church.

Studying for the ministry or priesthood requires a good knowledge of the Bible. You study the ancient culture that produced it and how the social and political forces of the time shaped it. You learn how commentators have interpreted it over the years. And you also study it as a living document with a message for our own times. You study the role of the church in a similar fashion - as both a historical and a living entity. You study the philosophy of religion and the details of your church's doctrines.

Your future leadership role also requires you to learn how to manage a church or parish. And you study counseling strategies; you learn how to get people to reveal their personal issues to you, and how to open your own mind to listen to them effectively. You learn what sources of consolation and inspiration there are in your religion - for others, and for yourself.