The 90-hour Master of Divinity degree program has a wide variety of ministry specializations and concentrations, the choice of which is determined by individual student interests and ministry goals. Each specialization, of course, has its own course requirements. The summary below reflects a generic program overview. All students are encouraged to work closely with their academic advisor to determine specific course selection and distance education availability.

The Master of Divinity is a three-year degree program. As an accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools, Western Seminary requires that the equivalent of one year's courses be completed on a Western Seminary campus. That means that up to 2/3 of the degree program can be taken by distance education or advanced standing.

The bottom line: With Western's signature campus scheduling options, and our robust distance education program, a student can realistically accomplish up to 66% of the coursework as they pursue the Master of Divinity degree without relocating to a Western Seminary campus.

Program Outcomes
In addition to the Seminary’s general educational goals, the Master of Divinity program attempts to achieve specific outcomes:

• Be a person whose Christ-like character is worthy of being emulated, and whose integrity imparts credibility to his/her ministry
• Be a person who understands his/her optimal role in the furthering of God’s purposes
• Be a person who experiences healthy interdependency and genuine community with other believers
• Be a person with a global vision who thinks, acts, and prays strategically
• Know the nature and mission of the church, being able to implement a biblically-based philosophy of ministry in various contexts and cultures
• Be able to interpret and apply biblical texts using sound hermeneutical principles and the biblical languages Know the major themes and developments of God’s redemptive activity revealed in Scripture
• Know the historical tenets and contemporary significance of evangelical theology and practice
• Be able to think biblically and critically so that various truth claims can be effectively evaluated
• Know the leading figures, movements, and events of church history world wide
• Be able to discover those elements of culture that must be understood for effective ministry
• Be able to communicate God’s truth clearly, accurately, and convincingly
• Be able to lead and equip a group of people so that God’s purposes are efficiently accomplished in and through them
• Be a true life-long learner, building upon his/her seminary training.

• View Complete Catalog Program Description