The organization of contemporary theological college establishments was a straight result of Roman Catholic reforms of the Counter-Reformation after the Council of Trent which insisted on the improvement of the education of clergy by the creation of Theology seminaries as live-in foundations under the direct control of elder clergy. Since at least the fourth century there have been Seminaries for the training of clergy.
The initial known group of Seminarists was got together by St. Basil of Ancyra. The term devolved out of popular use in the Medieval Ages, when all religious education was in monasteries, Christian Degree and afterwards, in the universities. After the Reformation and the growth of new designations, Seminaries once more came into usage, especially in the U.S. The 16th-century Council of Trent prescribed Seminaries to be opened up in every territory.
In several areas, the word theological college is also employed for secular educational institutions of higher learning that teach teachers. While the function of the teaching Seminaries and theology seminaries is different, the terminology has not shifted. During the 19th century in America, Theology seminaries prepared women for the only socially acceptable occupation: education. Only unmarried women could be teachers. Many early women’s colleges started as seminaries and created an crucial corps of instructors.