Which Seminary Masters Program is Right for You?

MASTER OF DIVINITY MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES MASTER OF ARTS IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION MASTER OF ARTS IN LEADERSHIP & CULTURE
For pastors & chaplains For teaching ministry & academic positions For spiritual directors & formational pastors For nonprofit, business & ministry leaders
4 years 3 years 3 years 2 years
3 courses/semester 3 courses/semester 2 courses/semester 3 courses/semester
30 hours/week 30 hours/week 20 hours/week 30 hours/week
72 credits 45 credits 36 credits 36 credits

All programs are cohort based and include two in-person intensives with the exception of the MDiv program, which features three in-person intensives. Alternative program paces are available.

Programs

Master of Divinity (MDIV)

The Master of Divinity prepares you for the wonder and rigor of professional ministry. This degree cultivates fertile soil for life-long fruitful ministry through biblical scholarship, Christian history and theology, leadership skills, and practical pastoral training all rooted in your spiritual formation.

The MDiv includes six credit hours devoted toward one of two tracks stewarding leadership or chaplaincy. This degree is for those called to pastoral leadership, board-certified or military chaplaincy, or ultimately to apply to Doctor of Ministry programs.

3 people sit in pews in a church

Common vocational paths include:

  • Ordained minister in the local church (certain denominations require an MDiv for ordination)
  • Hospital, hospice, military or organization chaplain
  • Teacher (private high school or university level)

Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS)

If you are passionate about research, writing, or teaching, our MA in Theological Studies is the program to consider. It features a required teaching internship as well as Greek and Hebrew language study options that prepare you for PhD work.

Two features which set our program apart are our teaching apprenticeship and built-in spiritual formation curriculum. Through these opportunities, our MATS students gain valuable masters-level teaching experience and integrate theological education with their own formation.

Though students who pursue the MATS often go on to pursue their PhD, we also have pastors, leaders and biblical enthusiasts who simply want to dive as deep as possible into biblical scholarship.

Alt Text

Common vocational paths include:

  • Pastoral and lay Bible teaching
  • Educational writing
  • Academic research
  • PhD candidacy

Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation (MASF)

The MA in Spiritual Formation degree program will prepare you to lead spiritual formation ministries in both individual and church community settings, as well as the broader community and world. Foundational courses are designed to form a Christ-centered identity through self reflection, biblical and theological engagement, and pastoral practice. Advanced courses will aid students in coming alongside others to promote healing and renewal.

Students interested in the degree often already find themselves drawn to the interior life and rhythms of spiritual practices. They also feel a distinct desire to help others explore and cultivate greater self-awareness and God-awareness and grow in Christlike character and mission.

Alt Text

Common vocational paths include:

  • Formation and discipleship work within the local church (i.e.,women's, men's, youth, or children's ministries)
  • Spiritual director (certification available to students who specialize in spiritual direction)
  • Nonprofit and parachurch ministry leader
  • Artist using creative expression for spiritual formation
  • Retreat facilitator

Master of Arts in Leadership and Culture (MALC)

The MA in Leadership and Culture is a professional degree with a focus on non-profit and missional expressions of the church to engage in local, state, national or global concerns in tangible ways. Half of the program will include your own continued spiritual formation, Biblical foundations and Christian ethics which are the foundation from which the community engagement is motivated and sustained. The other half will train you in social entrepreneurship and systemic change with practical tools to bring solutions to real needs with a posture of love and God’s shalom.

people sit outside at a table while the sun sets over a lake

Common vocational paths include:

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Missional expressions of church formation
  • Parachurch ministries
  • Pastors and associated ministers engaged in church transformation

Program Distinctives

All of our seminary degree programs offer:

  • Holistic learning: Explore theory and ideas but also learn practical applications
  • Spiritual formation: Self-awareness and personal spiritual growth are foundational for sustainable, healthy ministry
  • Diverse voices: Learn within an ecumenical community and from diverse faculty
portrait of Chantel wearing white and black and looking to the right

Chantel Heister

Master of Arts in Theological Studies

I have been personally challenged to revisit some of my own paradigms and assumptions, which has created room to embrace new ways of thinking and experiencing God. This, in turn, has impacted my own work and how I see God moving in our midst, our classrooms, the courses we offer, and the conversations we host.