Train to Become a Minister

At the front of any thriving church community you'll find ministers that are godly and skilled: preaching, counseling, serving, praying, and thinking biblically. The Western Seminary Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree prepares you to become that sort of a minister. As the M.Div. is the most recognizable seminary degree in the United States, it often serves as a requirement for ordination for some Christian denominations. M.Div. training is often a requirement for admission to doctoral programs that focus on ministry or theology.

 

CREDITS

90

Reduce This!
EARN A DEGREE

3

...In as few as three years
ONLINE

Yes
ON CAMPUS

Portland
San Jose
Sacramento
Seattle (up to 28 credits)

 

What Sets Our Ministerial Training Apart?

  • Gospel-centered emphasis for spiritual formation, theological understanding, and ministry
  • Students create a statement of faith rather than adopting the our doctrinal position
  • Four semesters of Mentored Field Ministry, experiencing challenge and success in serving real people under the supervision of an seasoned ministry practitioner
  • Specialized training in Hebrew and Greek languages through one of two tracks:
    1. Traditional to acquire full comprehension of the language
    2. Functional to utilize software tools to aid in translation and exegesis
  • Visit either Israel or Greece and Turkey on faculty-led study tours for elective credit

Curriculum

 

SEE A LIST OF COURSES

Accessible Scheduling

You can complete your pastoral training in three years’ time through conventional courses on any of our campuses in Oregon and Northern California, or by completing some studies at Seattle Teaching Site in addition to final studies at any degree-granting campus. Even if you live at a distance, you can complete your training without the need to relocate or leave your ministry context thanks to the following scheduling options (your completion timeframe may be extended):

Monday SCHEDULE OPTION Complete your M.Div. training in one day of class on campus per week.
HYBRID MINISTRY SCHEDULE OPTION Combine 60 credits of online learning with 8 weeklong trips to campus for live courses.

M.Div. Admission Requirements

  • A Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited undergraduate institution
  • A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • A completed application for admission and all admissions materials

If you do not have a bachelor's degree or do not meet one of the requirements above, contact an Admissions Counselor to explore alternative M.Div. admission requirements.