Master of Divinity

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Preparing Students for a life of Ordained Ministry

Do those who know you best say, “You should be in the ministry!” Do you feel a deep yearning to serve God in a special way? If so, Western Theological Seminary welcomes the opportunity to equip and empower you for service to Christ and for leadership among God’s people.

Our Master of Divinity program prepares men and women for ordained ministry. The MDiv also gives foundational training for ministries in mission, social service, evangelism, education, pastoral care, chaplaincy, and theological research.

87

Credit Hours

3-5

Years to Finish

In Person and Hybrid

Where do WTS MDiv GRADUATES SERVE?

Ordained Pastoral Ministry

Higher education after pursing advanced degrees

Still undecided about your specific career pathway? Contact Admissions! We can connect you with faculty and alumni who can assist you in your discernment process.

What is your path to a Master of Divinity?

The Master of Divinity is customizable to support your call. Learn more about your options by clicking one of the links below.

Master of Divinity in Residence

Master of Divinity from Anywhere

MDiv and Master of Social Work

Bachelor of Arts and MDiv in 5 years

Course Sequence

The online distance learning MDiv is the same course curriculum as the residential MDiv, simply designed in a different format for students living at a distance. The three year full-time residential curriculum has been sequenced out over five years in order that working adults can take on a part-time academic load. Faculty teach the same courses in the distance program as they do in the residential MDiv.

DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE SEQUENCE

Year 1

Fall

BL300 Old Testament Foundations (3)
MN335 Foundations of the Christian Life (3)
PR401 Abbey 1 (0.5)

Spring

BL301 New Testament Foundations (3)
MN336 Christian Interior Life (3)
PR402 Abbey 2 (0.5)

Summer

Elective course (3)

italics = course with intensive

Year 2

Fall

MN350 Worship Foundations (3)
PR403 Abbey 3 (0.5)
PR411 Practice of Ministry: Internship 1 (1.5)
Language 1 (BL310 or BL320) (3)

Spring

PR404 Abbey 4 (0.5)
PR412 Practice of Ministry: Internship 2 (1.5)
Language 1 (BL311 or BL321) (3)
Elective (Upper New Testament) (3)

Summer

Elective Course (3)
PR413 Practice of Ministry: Internship 3 (summer optional) (1.5)
PR414 Practice of Ministry: Internship 4 (summer optional) (1.5)

italics = course with intensive

Year 3

Fall

MN415 Practice of Counsel & Care (3)
PR405 Abbey 5 (0.5)
PR413 Practice of Ministry: Internship 3 (1.5)
TH300 Church History 1 (3)

Spring

MN351 Preaching Foundations (3)
PR406 Abbey 6 (0.5)
PR414 Practice of Ministry: Internship 4 (1.5)
TH301 Church History 2 (3)

italics = course with intensive

Year 4

Fall

TH310 Systematic Theology 1(3)
MN412 Christian Life & Mission (3)
Language 2 (BL3101 or BL3201) Or Elective (3)

Spring

TH311 Systematic Theology 2 (3)
TH440 Christian Life & Ethics (3)
Language 2 (BL3111 or BL3211) Or Elective (3)

Summer

PR450 Intercultural Immersion (3)

italics = course with intensive

Year 5

Fall

BL490 Biblical Capstone (3)
Elective (Upper Old Testament) (3)
Elective (TH421 RCA Standards & Polity for RCA students) (3)

Spring

TH490 Credo (3)
MN490 Leading Christian Communities (3)

PROGRAM TOTAL: 87 Credits

IN RESIDENCE COURSE SEQUENCE

Year 1

Fall

BL300 Old Testament Foundations (3)
MN335 Foundations of the Christian Life (3)
MN350 Worship Foundations (3)
PR401 Abbey 1 (0.5)
TH300 Church History 1 (3)
Elective -or- (optional) Language 2A (3)

Spring

Summer

Elective course (3)

italics = course with intensive

Year 2

Fall

Language 1A (BL310 or BL320)
MN412 Christian Life & Mission
PR403 Abbey 3
PR411 Practice of Ministry: Internship 1
TH310 Systemic Theology 1
Elective (upper New Testament)

Spring

Language 1B (BL311 or BL321)
MN351 Preaching Foundations
PR404 Abbey 4
PR412 Practice of Ministry: Internship 2
TH311 Systemic Theology 2
TH440 Christian Life & Ethics

Summer

PR 450 Intercultural Immersion
PR413 Practice of Ministry: Internship 3 (summer optional) (1.5)
PR414 Practice of Ministry: Internship 4 (summer optional) (1.5)

Year 3

Fall

BL490 Biblical Capstone
MN415 Practice of Counsel & Care
PR405 Abbey 5
PR413 Practice of Ministry: Internship 3 (or in summer)
Elective (or TH 421 RCA Standards & Polity for RCA candidates)
Elective or (optional) Language 2A

Spring

MN490 Leading Christian Communities
PR406 Abbey 6
PR414 Practice of Ministry: Internship 4 (or in summer)
TH490 Credo
Elective or (optional) Language 2B
Elective (upper Old Testament)

WTS welcomes transfer students and transferred coursework. Contact Admissions to learn more.

Are you an In-Person Learner?

Courses taken primarily in-person at our Holland, MI campus. Students who take courses primarly in person tend to:

1

Prefer the physical environment of the classroom

2

Enjoy regular face-to-face interaction with professors and peers

3

Need a consistent class schedule and structured learning formats

4

Be committed to completing the degree in 3 years

5

Already live in West Michigan or are interested in moving to West Michigan

6

Plan to work part-time or less

Are you an Online Learner?

Online Learning is available to students in West Michigan and around the world. As an Online Learning student, you would typically:

1

Be a self-motivated, independent learner

2

Want the flexibility of organizing your own learning schedule

3

Need maximum flexibility to fit school around your other commitments

4

Desire to stretch your degree out over many years

5

Live more than 150 miles from Holland, Michigan

6

Plan to work full time while in school.

Costs

AFFORDING sEMINARY

Tuition rates vary for different programs and degrees. At WTS, we understand that finances can be a major concern for prospective students. That’s why we offer a variety of scholarships and loan options.

Tuition

Scholarships

From the President’s Desk: 2023 Convocation Address

Why Should I Go to Seminary?

Distance Learning at WTS

Important Dates

For terms starting in 2024 - 2025

Fall Semester (starts late August)

Apply by:

January

Application fee waived for Fall semester MDiv and MA applications!

March

Deadline for international students

May

To ensure housing and best financial aid opportunities

August

Final application deadline for fall start

August

Call the admissions office for options!
Contact Admissions

spring Semester (starts Early January)

Apply By

December

For best financial aid opportunities

December

Call the admissions office for options!
Contact Admissions

Apply

APPLICATION PROCESS

Your application will be completed fully online. Once you complete your application be sure to watch your email. Some programs require additional interviews or follow up.

Have questions? Email us at admissions@westernsem.edu.