] As an Episcopalian (Anglican) I should know the answer to this question, but I don't. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what kind of education/preparation a man needed to take "holy orders" in JA's time.

There's masses about this in the archives. Just do a search under the word 'ordination.' I've posted on the subject in the past, but it's a huge area, so my post is really just the tip of the iceberg.

For what it's worth, here's what I discovered about the Routes to Ordination