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The purpose of this program is to provide classic pastoral training for individuals pursuing full-time ministry in the areas of the pastorate, chaplaincy, missions, and beyond. Students within this program will become well-versed in the art of interpreting, teaching and applying the Scriptures while developing an understanding of the original biblical languages. They will acquire the skills necessary for effective leadership and relevant ministry within a church context.
CONTENT AREA CREDITS
Spiritual Formation 6
Biblical Studies 16
Theological Studies 16
Biblical Languages 12
Ministerial Studies 20
Mentored Ministry 6
Specialization or Open Electives 14
Total 90
Program specializations provide students a range of elective courses to focus their program’s direction and shape, opening doors for future opportunities in ministry.
Specializations (availability varies by campus) include:
Expositional Ministry Open Track
Pastoral Ministry World Ministry
The Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Counseling dual degree program (115-127 credits) offers a means of combining professional counseling training with diverse ministry skill development. At Northern California campuses, students may complete the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy (120 credits). In completing the dual degree program, graduates increase their opportunities for specialization as a counselor.
In this program students will discover the power of the person of Jesus Christ through a thorough investigation of the Scriptures using English as well as the original languages. From there, students will develop the necessary skills to engage in pastoral ministry for the sake of the kingdom.
Upon graduation, students from this program will find themselves well-suited for a wide spectrum of teaching roles within a variety of ministry settings. Such roles include: lead pastor, teaching pastor, church/parachurch ministry leader, cross-cultural worker or educator at a secondary or undergraduate level.
Portland campus students can complete this degree by only coming to campus all day on Mondays or on Monday and Thursday evenings. Weekday courses are available for those with a flexible schedule and desire to take advantage of more elective options. Nontraditional avenues like the In-Ministry track allow students to complete their entire degree without relocating to Portland, while students may complete up to 2/3 of their M.Div. training through distance learning. To learn more about these delivery systems, visit this webpage.
In Mentored Field Ministry, students complete four semesters of involvement in hands-on ministry while processing their experiences in a shared class environment. Using their experiences as case studies, students together discover their leadership style and methodology as they work alongside a self-selected mentor and professor for feedback and encouragement.
Our professors are more than teachers of the Word. They are doers and practitioners. They bring years of pastoral and ministry experience to equip our graduates for life and ministry.
Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree or its full educational equivalent from a college or university accredited by a United States association holding membership in one of the six regional accrediting associations, that is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada, that is a member of the Association for Biblical Higher Education, or from an institution which maintains similar academic requirements and standards.
Admission requirements for this program include a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. Western Seminary recommends that an applicant’s undergraduate degree contain a minimum of 35 semester hours of the liberal arts and sciences.
Note: This number represents the total credit hours that can be earned by distance education, transfer and advanced standing.
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