The Master of Divinity Degree Program

The Master of Divinity program goals include:

• Develop students’ knowledge of the biblical and theological foundations of the Faith
• Foster students’ spiritual life and moral integrity
• Equip students’ capacity for cultural engagement
• Expand students’ competencies for ministry leadership

The MDiv student learning outcomes encompass multiple dimensions of the graduate’s life and work. This means that the MDiv student’s educational experiences are intended to produce growth in knowledge, character, and skills for ministry. Many of these outcomes are best achieved and measured in the context of ministry rather than the classroom. Consequently, many of the educational experiences bring the classroom and the ministry context together in partnership to prepare the student for a life of effective ministry.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students understand and integrate Scripture into decision making and problem-solving.
• Students translate biblical texts accurately from the original languages, based on grammatical and syntactical insights.
• Students effectively judge between competing ideas and apply theological truth.
• Students exhibit Christ-like integrity that encompasses their personal and public life.
• Students are committed to an ongoing process of spiritual formation that is clearly grounded in the Gospel.
• Students demonstrate cultural awareness in theological thinking and ministerial practice.
• Students apply a biblical, missional, and transformational approach to ministry.
• Students communicate biblical teaching that bridges the contextual nuances of Scripture and those of the audience.
• Students empower God's people to engage their gifts in the work of ministry.
• Students demonstrate mastery of the key principles of their chosen area of ministry through effective service in that area.

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Seminary, applicants for the MDiv program must possess a four-year baccalaureate degree or its educational equivalent from a college or university accredited by a United States association holding membership in one of the six regional accrediting associations, membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada, membership in the Association for Biblical Higher Education, or from an institution which maintains similar academic requirements and standards. Additionally, MDiv applicants must present a GPA of 2.5 or higher, including a breadth of liberal arts. Applicants who do not meet these general academic requirements may petition the Admissions Committee for consideration. A recommendation from the applicant’s pastor and three personal recommendations regarding the applicant’s Christian character and leadership also are required.

The intent of a ministry specialization is to equip the student with the skills, insights, and training experiences necessary for a distinctly defined ministry role. Ten credits of course work reflect a thoughtful blend of required courses and open electives designed to impart the character, knowledge, and skill outcomes deemed essential for each role. Additionally, Western Seminary offers Master of Divinity students the option to complete a Reformed Specialization that is intentionally designed to meet the needs of students pursuing ordination in a Reformed or Presbyterian denomination. This will involve a combination of Western Seminary courses, transfer credits from an approved seminary of the Reformed tradition, or individualized studies under the supervision of an approved ministry supervisor. Interested students are encouraged to contact the Academic Dean’s Office for further information.

The purpose of program concentrations is to provide a focused, intensive preparation in one narrow area of emphasis. They may be ministry-specific, academically oriented, or a combination of both. Program concentrations consist of at least six credits of course work in one area of emphasis, chosen in consultation with one’s faculty advisor. Courses selected for a program concentration may not come from the core of the MDiv program. Program concentrations include:

• Bible
• Chaplaincy
• Church and Culture
• Church History
• Church Planting
• Christian Spirituality
• Coaching
• Educational Ministry
• Evangelism
• Family Ministry
• Global Leadership
• Greek
• Hebrew
• Intercultural Studies
• Pastoral Care
• Women's Transformational Leadership
• Worship
• Youth Ministry

Students may choose from among the concentrations listed above or may propose a new concentration drawn from courses offered by Western Seminary (subject to approval). Appropriate course work from other graduate institutions might also be used in designing a concentration (subject to transfer credit provisions). These must be acceptable graduate-level work, with at least 50% of the credits being taken at Western. Students may complete both a ministry specialization and a program concentration, but no more than two hours of credit may overlap and be applied to both. No course may be applied to more than one concentration. Please consult with the Registrar’s Office for additional information.

Please Note: The specific concentrations available to Western Global students will depend on the list of courses currently available in an online format and on the student's ability to travel to a physical location to take courses if needed to complete the concentration.

Students will be able to read the Bible as it was written and encounter the depths of meaning that can get lost in translation. In addition, students will learn the essential grammar and syntax of the biblical languages, be able to read advanced commentaries with greater understanding, and be better equipped to evaluate said commentaries, articles, and theological books on their own. Students will also learn to use various software to find word meanings, parsing, etc.

Students may complete their studies in as few as six semesters, with a minimum of 82 credits required for graduation. The MDiv program requires a common core of 70 credits including biblical, theological, Christian formation, and applied ministry studies. In addition, students will take 10 credits of electives and mentored ministry approved by a faculty member.

The Master of Divinity degree is conferred upon the attainment of certain personal and academic requirements. In addition to the general seminary requirements, degree candidates must (1) give evidence of a genuine Christian character, orthodox belief, and conduct consistent with a God-given call to a position of leadership; (2) complete all courses in the prescribed M.Div. curriculum with a minimum grade point average of 2.5.

All work leading to the Master of Divinity must be completed within six years from the time of matriculation. Permission to extend the six-year statute of limitations must be granted through the submission of an academic petition. Reinstatement to the program after withdrawal requires Admissions Committee action and may subject the student to additional requirements for the degree. All credits applied toward the degree requirements must be earned within ten years of the awarding of the degree. Alternatively, new or re-entering students whose prior coursework exceeds the ten-year limit may request to demonstrate current competency by examination up to the advanced standing credit limitations for each degree program as specified elsewhere in this catalog.