Obtaining the Education

• For most major religions and faiths, education up to and through the master's level is a requirement for ordination. In addition to a master's degree from within the humanities, most churches will require studies in divinity. Also, one can expect to learn some Greek and Hebrew.
  
  Study for ordination often includes attending a seminary, which is a specialized college or university, often supported by the denomination it serves. Students learn aspects of divinity and skills used in the role of a pastor.
  
  

Interning in Faith

• After education, but generally before full ordination, the candidate experiences a trial period to evaluate his calling to ordination. For the Roman Catholic Church, candidates practice as deacons before being allowed to serve the church as a priest. Methodist candidates often take associate pastor roles to be mentored and receive advanced, experiential training before ordination.
  
  

Fast Tracking Ordination

• There are several other, less traditional routes to obtaining ordination. For example, the Universal Life Church's website allows interested parties to fill out a form and hit submit. It then provides a certificate.
  
  Another second route is Many Paths Ministry, which offers less-intensive education, but still requires participants to answers a series of deeply personal questions about their faith.