F.A.Q.s

Yes. We are sponsored by the Aquarian Tabernacle Church and the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board allows us to grant degrees in ministerial studies preparing our students for Wiccan religious vocations.

Yes, we offer Associate, Bachelor, Master’s, and Doctorate Degrees in Wiccan Ministry. You can also earn a Wiccan traditional First, Second and Third Degree, if you choose the Initiatory Path, and are accepted into one of the many local programs around the world. For an ATC Affiliate near you, please look on the http://aquatabch.org website on the Affiliates list.

Since the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board has allowed us to grant degrees in ministerial studies preparing our students for Wiccan religious vocations, we have been asked about accreditation. Accreditation of schools is through voluntary accreditation associations formed by those schools for the purpose of establishing accreditation standards and procedures. At present, there are no "accredited" Wiccan or Pagan seminaries whose students' earned credits can be considered automatically recognized by any other institution of higher learning. The recognition of credits earned through the Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary programs by other educational institutions must be addressed by the student with that other institutions. At the time of this writing, we understand Woolson-Steen Theological Seminary to be the only Wiccan or Pagan seminary recognized by any state department of higher education anywhere in the United States. Because of this, the formation of an appropriate Pagan accreditation association by a single school is simply not possible. Woolston-Steen administration has met with the representatives of two other Wiccan/Pagan seminaries to explore that possibility some time ago at a conference in California, but has not received any credible or palpable support for the idea in the intervening time. Accreditation of schools such as colleges and universities is a private and not a governmental function. The major aspect of accreditation beyond the transfer of earned credits between schools is the Federal government guarantee of repayment of student loans to banks should students of an accredited institution default. Given the nature of our religion, our school and our low tuition costs, we don't believe that student loans or their guarantee to banks will be of any genuine significance to our students. Some school-sponsored internal methods of tuition assistance are already available (please see catalog for details). The Aquarian Tabernacle Church of Wicca, our sponsoring church, has a long history of "firsts" by overcoming such obstacles and accomplishing things previously thought not possible for Wiccans. Both the church and this seminary continue to work together to resolve this issue. In the meantime and until that is accomplished, students who wish to have WSTS credits accepted by other schools are encouraged to discuss and resolve that with each school personally.

You are very pleased to offer tuition on a membership subscription basis. In an attempt to make our classes affordable for everyone who is interested in studying with us, we offer a sliding scale based on income. Click here to see the membership schedule

It is up to the student to provide his/her own tools and books, both inworld and out. Many classes do not require books or tools, and some classes have readings posted online. Each class will list what tools are required or recommended on the particular class page. To procure the necessary materials, some can be found in your own home. Some books and tools may need to be purchased. If you experience difficulty gathering your materials, pls contact the teacher directly.

You can apply for a work scholarship. There are several opportunities currently available, with varying degrees of knowledge. Work Scholarships are offered to those who really need it. If you have an income, and can re-budget your money to allow $10 a week to go to your training, please do so.

Most classes meet once a week for an hour of live class time. Courses are offered twice a year in most cases so if you miss the earlier session, you can take a later session. Some classes offer two days/times as an option.

This varies and depends on your own talents and abilities. It also depends on the class and year of study you are in. As a Freshman student, you will need to be inworld at the very least for your class lab(s) each week (aproximately 1 hour per class). At this level, the other activities are optional, but the more time you can spend interacting with your classmates and teachers inworld – the better! It is necessary for us to get to know you. The actual homework consists of readings, and work to turn in. They have due dates, but you can work on them at your own pace. The average student spends about 5 hours on schoolwork each week.

Your homework must be complete before you elevate to the next class. In the entire coursework, there is only one year that has deadlines, and that is the Sophomore Year. It is a formal Year and a Day training, and in this year, meeting deadlines is part of your training. Your homework for Freshmen must be complete before you elevate to Sophomore, and Sophomore work must be on time for you to graduate Sophomore year. The other years allow you to go at your own pace.

We keep a calendar that lists both Seminary Class events and other events held inworld at Second Life® . You can access the calendar here: http://www.wiccanseminary.edu/class-schedule We also post a weekly calendar inworld at Sacred Cauldron.

Quality! That is the best answer I can offer. We as Wiccans absolutely do not do those types of elevations over the Internet. It would degrade the potency of the position, the respect the community has for our clergy, and the impact of the mysteries gleaned from those holy rites. We do not foresee ever changing this policy.

Go to http://www.SecondLife.com/ and download the free program. When you get “in-world,” look up ‘Sacred Cauldron’ in your search bar. This is our private island estate, and we can’t wait to see you.

It does not cost anything to set up an account and create an avatar. Your basic avatar comes with a few outfits and items to get you started. WiccanSeminary offers each student a free Uniform to wear to class. It is possible to earn currency inworld (called Linden Dollars). However, it is easier to put a bit of money on your account. You can attend the seminary and not spend any money on your virtual experience if you desire. The exchange rate between real money and Lindens is very favorable to you! For pennies, you can buy clothes and for a few dollars you can purchase larger items. The decision is yours. You can also learn to build everything you need yourself – should you be inclined to do so. For more information go to: www.secondlife.com

A good computer is essential for a College in the physical world; this goes double for a college that is online. You could even consider that, in this day and age, your computer is as essential to your path as any other magical tool.

Short answer is ‘No’. An Associated degree can be earned online, through the website.

No.

Yes. All of our lectures are logged through an interface that allows the class’s discussion ‘in world’ to be saved on the website for later viewing. You can even log into the chat room and watch the discussion happen live, and participate in the chat.

Yes, it can be. While our program is based on Wiccan principles - we do not teach a specific tradition. You are welcome to take any 100 class by itself. However, the classes do assume the student accepts basics Wiccan tenants such as Reincarnation, Energy, and Balance of the Universe.

Yes, you can! The student does not have follow the program in order to take classes and the Associates Degree is perfect for you. While the second year will require a bit more leadership work, it does not get into the more advanced clergy work.

Yes, you can. You initiation degree will grandfather you in to a higher degree. There are still core classes that every student has to take. If we can verify your degree through reputable sources, you will be recognized at that level. First Degree begins at Bachelors. Second Degree begins at Masters. Third Degree begins at Doctorate.

Anything you could do with any other religious degree. People with religious degrees serve their chosen communities, teach, minister in social programs such as prison ministry, etc.