First, I agree with everyone who has replied to the OP about the importance of earning a BA/BS prior to attending seminary. That said, I want to point out that it is possible to gain admission to an M.Div. program and earn an M.Div. degree at an accredited seminary without a bachelor's degree. Seminaries accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) (including WSC, WTS, RTS, CTS) can admit a limited number of students to the M.Div. program without a Bachelor's degree.
From the ATS Standards:
A.4.1.2 As many as 10 percent of the students in the MDiv degree program
may be admitted without possession of the baccalaureate degree
or its educational equivalent, if the institution can demonstrate by some
objective means that these persons possess the knowledge, academic skill,
and ability generally associated with persons who hold the baccalaureate
degree. Admission of such applicants should be restricted to persons
with life experience that has prepared them for theological study at the
graduate level.
Each seminary has some flexibility in setting the admissions standards for these applicants and some are more rigorous than others. WSC requires quite a bit (if you are curious): MDIV SPECIAL STUDENT
Admission is probational for the first year, after which the student can gain full admission to the M.Div. program. Those who complete the program are granted an M.Div. degree (not a B.Div.). ATS allows this for the M.Div. program (not M.A.s) because it is considered a professional or terminal degree as opposed to an academic degree.
In my 5 years at WSC we have admitted fewer than 10 students to the M.Div. Special Student program. We have denied far more than we have admitted because we see the value of a solid undergraduate education.
From the ATS Standards:
A.4.1.2 As many as 10 percent of the students in the MDiv degree program
may be admitted without possession of the baccalaureate degree
or its educational equivalent, if the institution can demonstrate by some
objective means that these persons possess the knowledge, academic skill,
and ability generally associated with persons who hold the baccalaureate
degree. Admission of such applicants should be restricted to persons
with life experience that has prepared them for theological study at the
graduate level.
Each seminary has some flexibility in setting the admissions standards for these applicants and some are more rigorous than others. WSC requires quite a bit (if you are curious): MDIV SPECIAL STUDENT
Admission is probational for the first year, after which the student can gain full admission to the M.Div. program. Those who complete the program are granted an M.Div. degree (not a B.Div.). ATS allows this for the M.Div. program (not M.A.s) because it is considered a professional or terminal degree as opposed to an academic degree.
In my 5 years at WSC we have admitted fewer than 10 students to the M.Div. Special Student program. We have denied far more than we have admitted because we see the value of a solid undergraduate education.