Are you passionate about making a difference in this world? The M.Div.-MSW Dual track degree program can prepare you for professional ministry where Christian theology and faith meet the pain and struggle of human life. You will learn to integrate the theory, knowledge, and skills required of pastors and social workers as they seek to be instruments of grace and peace.
Students spend the first two years of the 4-year dual track program at Western Theological Seminary taking Master of Divinity coursework. Years 3-4 are spent in a Master of Social Work program at another accredited institution of the student's preference.
Typically 69 out of the 96 hours required for an M.Div. are completed in the first two years. The remaining 27 hours are transferred from the MSW program back to the seminary as electives. This allows the student to complete both master degrees in four years instead of five.
Cohort Learning groups – All four years students meet in peer groups with a ministry professional who facilitates the integration of the two professional areas. This program is now open to those who have completed the MSW prior to coming to WTS. Contact the director for more information.
- Counseling hurting people
- Coordinating urban youth programs
- Chaplaincy in a hospital, hospice, or treatment program setting
- Restorative justice work in the criminal justice system
- Community development here or abroad
- Children and family support and education
- Outreach pastor
- Social justice research and advocacy
- Starting a nonprofit environmental ministry
Glenn Swier, M.S.W.
Director of M.Div.-M.S.W. Dual Track Program
616-392-8555, x165
“If you are feeling called to ‘do good’ in the world and you want to do it well with theological grounding, I encourage you to check out our dual track program.”
Kirk Vander Molen
Christ’s example and His call to seek out, care for and minister to people in need is clear.
The combination of an M.Div. and M.S.W. has given me a strong foundation to better understand and answer this call. My theological education and pastoral training at Western Seminary provided me the resources to explore my faith, learn from God’s Word, and gain skills in leadership. My M.S.W. provided me a framework to better understand the needs of people and gave me tools and techniques to help them.
After serving as an associate pastor for 4 years, currently I am serving as a director of a ministry called Love INC (In the Name of Christ). Love INC works to mobilize, help and support churches to care for and serve individuals and families in need.
Although I attended Western prior to the start of the M.Div. - M.S.W. program, I would highly recommend the dual track degree for those considering any ministry focus, including being a pastor, counselor or working in outreach.
Miriam De Jong
Since my junior year of high school I have known that God was calling me to full time urban youth ministry.
Although I had gained a great deal of knowledge and training through various conferences and personal experience in urban youth ministry, I wanted more formal training and education.
As I explored a variety of programs, Western’s dual track program stood out above the rest. Not only would it provide me with a strong biblical and theological foundation for ministry, but the social work component would equip me with strong counseling and community development skills that are so desperately needed in our nation’s inner cities.
I was blessed to put these skills into practice through my internship at Camp Tall Turf, a Christian camp serving mostly urban youth. The camp focuses on reconciliation to God, each other, and God’s world. There I directed high school programs seeking to develop Christlike, indigenous servant leaders.
My hope and prayer is that the education and experience of the dual track program will enable me to better serve the community and ministry to which God is calling me.
- 96 credit hours, minimum of four years (27 credits are transferred as electives from the MSW)
- Curriculum, sequence of courses
- Formation for Ministry courses, including a spiritual formation retreat. See formation for ministry.
- Intercultural Immersion trip
Application Deadlines:
Fall Semester: April 30 for scholarship consideration; all applications due July 15
Spring Semester: November 1 for scholarship consideration; all applications due November 30
Field Legend: BL - Biblical Field; MN - Christian Ministry Field; FR - Formation for Ministry; TH - Theological Field