Legally structure your business as either an LLC or corporation, enabling you to accept payments and hire teachers and other employees. Speak with an attorney or certified public accountant to establish a corporation for you or do so yourself through your state's Secretary of State's website.
Obtain an employer identification number, or EIN, enabling you to hire faculty and receive tax exempt/nonprofit status. Visit the IRS website or contact the IRS to begin the process.
Apply for a 501c3 classification as a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation. Visit the IRS website to obtain the forms for this status that most churches and schools have. Note the process will take about three months.
Determine the denomination in which you plan to instruct. Ensure your students are able to minister in that denomination, and recognize that approval from those in the faith's hierarchy may be necessary in establishing certain seminaries. Reach out to central churches of the denomination you are interested in to determine if any specific requirements are necessary to prepare students for ministry.
Determine if you would like to be an accredited online institution or provide education without accreditation. Be aware that while accreditation is voluntary, degrees may be invalid to some employers if your institution is not accredited. Visit the Association for Biblical Higher Education or another similar accrediting authority to begin the process. Check with accreditation boards to determine if a specific curriculum must be followed for accreditation.
Determine admissions requirements and the amount you will charge for tuition. Research other seminary schools online and in your area to establish competitive pricing and similar admission requirements.
Consult with your teaching staff to craft a curriculum, again following accreditation standards, if necessary.
Create a website for your seminary to enhance marketing and admissions efforts. Hire a freelance web designer if you are not proficient in website design.
Find a classroom-based software program to integrate into your website. Consider a product that offers an infrastructure allowing students to log in, post and respond to discussions, download online resources or materials and study.