We are so excited that you are thinking about pursuing a seminary education. Westminster Seminary California is a seminary for women and men that provides theological, and ministerial disciplines in order to help them develop intellectually and spiritually as leaders.
The seminary trains women who are preparing to serve Christ and his church, so that the whole body of Christ may be enriched. Because “zeal without knowledge” and “knowledge without zeal” can only injure the church, WSC seeks to develop in each student a balance of scholarship and Christ-like piety. WSC strives to maintain a community of Christian research and scholarship where the proper cultivation of the mind increases the devotion of the heart.
We believe that seminary-trained women are invaluable in the church, in the academy, in missions, in counseling, in the home, and beyond these spheres. WSC is committed to supporting women in seminary and women who want to attend seminary by making substantial financial aid available and by providing an encouraging environment in which to learn. If you’re interested in getting to know God’s word better through a Reformed theological education, I would love to talk to you! Sincerely,
Rev. Chuck Tedrick Dean of Students [email protected]
Explore different fields of work below and read about how our alumnae are using their WSC education in a variety of careers and ministries.
Build a firm academic foundation based on a rigorous theological education under the guidance of accomplished scholars and thought leaders who are active in the biblical, theological, and historical disciplines within the church and academy.
Rita’s Story Elizabeth’s Story
Receive a thorough biblical and theological education that will prepare you to create and edit content about a variety of topics using sound reasoning, clear expression, and rich scriptural perspective.
Katie’s Story Le Ann’s Story
Develop a thorough understanding of God and his Word and the basic tools for evangelism and missions in order to take the gospel to the nations and apply the Scriptures in a variety of local and global contexts.
Eowyn’s Story
Be equipped to understand the human condition and to apply the sufficient and infallible Word of God with wisdom and skill to the various needs and struggles of God’s people in the church, family, and society.
Dianna’s Story
Receive a solid scriptural and apologetic foundation needed to disciple and mentor future leaders of the church and society as they encounter various challenges on college campuses and prepare to serve Christ in both sacred and secular vocations.
Monse’s Story
Enrich your own personal walk of faith and be equipped to better serve in your family, church, society, or secular vocation through an in-depth study of God’s Word in its systematic and historical contexts and implications for your faith and life.
Jennifer’s Story
The Lord has blessed our female graduates with so many career paths. In addition to the stories already shared, our graduates are currently serving in Nonprofits, Hospital Chaplaincy, Translation of Theological Resources, and more!
Joanna’s Story (Nonprofit Work) Curran’s Story (Hospital Chaplaincy) Nozomi’s Story (Translator) Cassady’s Story (Administration)
“The community here is both shoulder-to-shoulder and face-to-face; there is profound unity in our kingdom-minded purpose that heartens us onwards as siblings in Christ. It is a true gift getting to closely witness the growth of my brothers into their roles as future ministers of the gospel. Our interactions inside and outside the classroom add invaluable depth to my experience here, and I have felt my voice as equally welcome in this community of learners.”
–Hannah Huyck MATS Student, Class of 2025
“Women undeniably played a major role in the life of the early church, and they continue to do so today. Westminster Seminary California is just the place to be equipped for such a task. Whether you want to grow in your knowledge of the word, be a well-equipped homeschooling mom, counsel, enter the mission field, serve your local church, or pursue a PhD, WSCAL offers the necessary training to take that next step in carrying out your calling. We train men and women to know, love, serve, and glorify Christ in ways that accord with the Word of God.”
—Dr. David Briones Associate Professor of New Testament
“I encourage women to study the Bible like a scholar hungry for the truth. Often, as women, we try to make our studies fit within a defined role instead of studying for the sake of the truth. Men and women both need to study justification, sanctification, ecclesiology, theology proper, all the topics for what they are in and of themselves: an invitation to the saving work of Jesus. Once we learn the deep truths of the Bible, then we’re better prepared to address any and all issues, including those specific to women.”
–Sue Harris Director of Women’s Ministries, Oak Mountain PCA
“Women who are called to serve the church as counselors, writers, or Bible study leaders, or called to be teachers or scholars, all benefit from theological education. Not only do they benefit from the intellectual and spiritual formation of seminary, but our churches benefit as well. . . The Church in Holy Scripture is the bride of Christ. If we lose the feminine, as is happening in our culture, we lose the Church.”
—Dr. Jason Pickard Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
With concentrations in biblical, theological, and historical-theological studies, we encourage men and women in seminary to pursue their own interests in preparation for various kinds of service in Christ’s kingdom. Learn more about each of these degree paths to see what is the best fit for you!
The study of Scripture is founded upon an understanding of the biblical languages, Greek and Hebrew, equipping graduates with the tools to study the Bible in the language of its authors, thus enhancing their ability to properly exegete and apply the Word of God.
View Details
This program seeks to give students the knowledge and skills necessary to systematize and apply biblical truth to the intellectual issues confronting the church and the surrounding culture.
In the MAHT program, students are equipped with a historically-minded approach to evaluate current events of today in relation to all that has come before.
This dual program offers a comprehensive curriculum in both Biblical and Theological Studies. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to accurately exegete God’s Word and recognize the systematic theological framework revealed therein, all with an awareness of the literary and historical context in which the Biblical narrative is situated.
Dr. Whitney Gamble, assistant professor of biblical and theological studies at Providence Christian College, answers the question: “Why should women study theology?”
Play Video
Here we have compiled a list of helpful questions as you consider if WSC is the right fit for you.
The purpose of our Master of Divinity program is to educate and form men for official, ordained ministries of instruction and leadership in the church as pastors, evangelists, and teachers. Because the seminary board and faculty believe the criteria set down in Scripture limits the candidacy for official teaching and leadership ministry in the church to qualified men, we admit only men to our Master of Divinity program. However, because God bestows on women as well as men gifts and calling to serve in non-ordained ministries, WSC’s Master of Arts programs admit both women and men.
There are many ways for our female students to build community at WSC. Many women will choose to live together in our Village Housing as roommates. This provides a wonderful opportunity for our female students to get connected with other women who are in a similar situation as them. There are also prayer groups every Wednesday at 10 a.m., as well as many other opportunities for Spiritual Enrichment on campus amongst your peers. Another opportunity to take advantage of is Westminster Women’s Fellowship. WWF is a campus organization dedicated to helping women develop strong community with one another. WWF has monthly events where you will be able to meet the women of WSC: women in seminary, wives of students, faculty, and staff. You can see all of our campus organizations here.
WSC has a scholarship specifically for women in seminary. The Minnie Gresham Machen Scholarship was established to encourage and enable talented women to take advantage of advanced theological education at Westminster Seminary California in order to equip them to answer God’s calling in the home, the academy, and the church. The Minnie Gresham Machen Scholarship will provide tuition aid for up to three years of study to one or more recipients each year. Women are also eligible for generous financial aid from the Presidential Merit Scholarship, the WSC Grant, the International Student Grant, and the Church Matching Grant, among others. For more information on how to apply for these scholarships, please click here.
Yes! Because we affirm the value of women in the church, we recognize the importance of training in Practical Theology for female students. While preaching courses are only open to men, women have taken a number of PT courses, including:
While the number of female students varies year by year, women have made up just over 8% of the student body over the last ten years.
Contact our Admissions Team at [email protected] with any questions. You can also check out our quick facts FAQs for more information, or apply to WSC using the button below.
