Master of Divinity (MDiv) - Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
Source: https://www.garrett.edu/academics/degrees-and-programs/master-divinity
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:18
Master of Divinity (MDiv) - Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
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Master of Divinity (MDiv)
Become a servant leader who ministers through radical theological imagination
Master of Divinity students take an active part in exploring and defining their strengths, background, gifts for ministry, and vocational calling. Garrett’s integrative curriculum prepares students for a wide variety of congregational and non-congregational ministry settings.
REQUEST INFORMATION
I know that God is truly doing a new thing in me and in the lives of my classmates. This experience will provide me with the foundation I need to lead and serve with a bold confidence to facilitate courageous conversations leading to transformational change in the Church.
D’ana Downing
MDiv’ 22
Being at Garrett-Evangelical has been a liberating step in my life and ministry. It has brought me a sense of community, diversity social justice; therefore, I am committed to being in favor of my neighbor.
Efrain Belmontes
MDiv’ 21
As a missionary currently serving in a predominantly Muslim country (Senegal) and my church—The United Methodist being still young—the expectation is high. I came to the point where I felt that I have given all what I knew/had as a non-theologian, and the need of joining a seminary was almost a must.
David Makobo
MDiv’ 23
The way that the faculty talked about how they were going to prepare me for ministry while also giving me a rigorous education felt right to me. Something inside me knew that not only did Garrett-Evangelical care about me, but it was also the place where I would become a better myself.
Chad Hornsby
MDiv’ 23
Degree Requirements
The Master of Divinity is an 76-credit hour program that can be tailored to serve each individual’s calling. Students can complete their degree as a residential student (primarily in-person courses on Garrett’s campus) or as a hybrid student (primarily online courses) or as an online student.
Foundational Courses (18-credit hours)
Introduction to Hebrew Bible
Introduction to New Testament
History of Christian Thought & Practice I
History of Christian Thought & Practice II
Global Christianity in an Interfaith World
Introduction to Theology
Distribution Requirements (33-credit hours)
Bible elective
History elective
Bible or History elective
Theology elective
Introduction to Christian Ethics
Preaching and Proclamation
OR
Preaching in an African American Context
United Methodist Worship
OR
Worship in Ecumenical Perspective
Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling
OR
approved pastoral care elective
Teaching for Biblical Faith
OR
Introduction to Youth Ministry
OR
Educating Christians for Social Change
OR
approved Christian education elective course
Theology of Evangelism
OR
Church and Community
Spiritual formation elective
General Elective Courses (15-credit hours)
5 elective courses of student’s choosing
Students pursuing ordination should plan on using general electives to complete any denomination studies or other denominational requirements that are not already required for the degree.
Integrative Courses (10-credit hours)
Field Education 1
Field Education 2
Senior Colloquy and Senior Project
Denominational Requirements and Online Courses
The Office of Admissions encourages prospective students who are considering ordination to be in conversation with their denominational ordination boards as they discern their next steps in theological education. Some traditions have specific requirements around how many courses a student must take in-person to be considered for ordination.
Field Education
MDiv students complete two semesters of field education. Combining hands-on experience with peer group discussions, you will come to know approaches to ministry leadership, cultivate practical skills in context as you do the work of ministry with skilled church and community leaders, and engage in critical reflection on the Christian leaders you are called to be.
Field Education Overview
Capstone Seminar
The Senior Colloquy, a capstone seminar, helps MDiv students integrate their seminary training with their future work as community leaders. Students are required to create a final project that combines theology and practice.
Degree Options
Residential, Hybrid and Online Option
Master of Divinity students can complete their degree as a residential student (primarily in-person courses on Garrett’s campus) or as a hybrid student (primarily online courses with some in-person courses) or as an online student.
Concentrations
Concentrations are not required. Declaring a concentration allows you to customize your education for your ministry context. Current concentrations include:
African American Church Leadership (interdisciplinary)
Christian Education
Church History
Congregational Leadership
Ecological Regeneration
Ethics
Evangelism
LGBTQ Studies (in partnership with Chicago Theological Seminary)
Pastoral Care and Counseling
Pastoral Leadership
Peace Studies (in partnership with Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary)
Spiritual Formation
Theology
Worship
Dual Degrees
You can specialize you Master of Divinity by adding a second degree. Current MDiv dual degree options include:
Master of Divinity and Master of Arts
Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies
Courses
Garrett offers courses in a variety of course modalities to meet a variety of scheduling needs. Course options include in-person, online, hybrid, blended synchronous, and more. While the program is taught by faculty of Garrett, students may also take courses at Northwestern University and at any of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Browse Courses
Diverse, Passionate, and Renowned Faculty
BROWSE FACULTY
My vocation as a biblical scholar stems from and reflects my intersectional identity as a Korean-Filipino missionary kid who grew up in the Philippines. Worshipping in Tagalog, Korean, and English-speaking congregations drew me towards ordination in the United Methodist Church where I continue to transgress and traverse multicultural assemblages.
Rev. Dr. Dong Heyon Jeong
Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation
Whether doing theological work in the church, leadership in organizations, or in the academy, theology is a constructive, creative practice that requires us to continually speak in new ways about the beauty and fragmentation present in the world.
Dr. Brian Bantum
Neal F. and Ila A. Fisher Professor of Theology
Degree Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
Demonstrate a general knowledge of:
Scripture
History and doctrine
Practices of the Christian traditions
Interpret Scripture and tradition critically and constructively in the varying contexts of contemporary life
Demonstrate a growing depth of understanding and practice in personal and corporate spiritual discipline(s)
Promote prophetic inquiry and witness for the sake of justice
Engage in critically informed analyses of gender, race, culture, social and economic structures that shape human beings
Articulate critical and multi-faceted expressions of the gospel and invites others to receive it
Demonstrate the capacity to nurture further Christian formation through the practices of ministry (e.g., prayer, liturgy, preaching, pastoral care, and teaching)
Next Steps
Garrett-Evangelical accepts applications from students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or from an AETH-certified Bible institute. Because our primary language of instruction is English, applicants be able to show English proficiency, as evidenced by a previous degree in English or completion of either the Duolingo or Test of English as a Foreign Language test.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. International student applications are due by February 1st.
APPLY TO THE MDIV
SCHEDULE A TOUR
Affording Your Education
FINANCIAL AID
Campus Life
LIFE AT GARRETT
Housing Opportunities
VIEW HOUSING
myGETS
The Garrett Collective
Events
Give
Apply
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
Become a servant leader who ministers through radical theological imagination
Master of Divinity students take an active part in exploring and defining their strengths, background, gifts for ministry, and vocational calling. Garrett’s integrative curriculum prepares students for a wide variety of congregational and non-congregational ministry settings.
REQUEST INFORMATION
I know that God is truly doing a new thing in me and in the lives of my classmates. This experience will provide me with the foundation I need to lead and serve with a bold confidence to facilitate courageous conversations leading to transformational change in the Church.
D’ana Downing
MDiv’ 22
Being at Garrett-Evangelical has been a liberating step in my life and ministry. It has brought me a sense of community, diversity social justice; therefore, I am committed to being in favor of my neighbor.
Efrain Belmontes
MDiv’ 21
As a missionary currently serving in a predominantly Muslim country (Senegal) and my church—The United Methodist being still young—the expectation is high. I came to the point where I felt that I have given all what I knew/had as a non-theologian, and the need of joining a seminary was almost a must.
David Makobo
MDiv’ 23
The way that the faculty talked about how they were going to prepare me for ministry while also giving me a rigorous education felt right to me. Something inside me knew that not only did Garrett-Evangelical care about me, but it was also the place where I would become a better myself.
Chad Hornsby
MDiv’ 23
Degree Requirements
The Master of Divinity is an 76-credit hour program that can be tailored to serve each individual’s calling. Students can complete their degree as a residential student (primarily in-person courses on Garrett’s campus) or as a hybrid student (primarily online courses) or as an online student.
Foundational Courses (18-credit hours)
Introduction to Hebrew Bible
Introduction to New Testament
History of Christian Thought & Practice I
History of Christian Thought & Practice II
Global Christianity in an Interfaith World
Introduction to Theology
Distribution Requirements (33-credit hours)
Bible elective
History elective
Bible or History elective
Theology elective
Introduction to Christian Ethics
Preaching and Proclamation
OR
Preaching in an African American Context
United Methodist Worship
OR
Worship in Ecumenical Perspective
Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling
OR
approved pastoral care elective
Teaching for Biblical Faith
OR
Introduction to Youth Ministry
OR
Educating Christians for Social Change
OR
approved Christian education elective course
Theology of Evangelism
OR
Church and Community
Spiritual formation elective
General Elective Courses (15-credit hours)
5 elective courses of student’s choosing
Students pursuing ordination should plan on using general electives to complete any denomination studies or other denominational requirements that are not already required for the degree.
Integrative Courses (10-credit hours)
Field Education 1
Field Education 2
Senior Colloquy and Senior Project
Denominational Requirements and Online Courses
The Office of Admissions encourages prospective students who are considering ordination to be in conversation with their denominational ordination boards as they discern their next steps in theological education. Some traditions have specific requirements around how many courses a student must take in-person to be considered for ordination.
Field Education
MDiv students complete two semesters of field education. Combining hands-on experience with peer group discussions, you will come to know approaches to ministry leadership, cultivate practical skills in context as you do the work of ministry with skilled church and community leaders, and engage in critical reflection on the Christian leaders you are called to be.
Field Education Overview
Capstone Seminar
The Senior Colloquy, a capstone seminar, helps MDiv students integrate their seminary training with their future work as community leaders. Students are required to create a final project that combines theology and practice.
Degree Options
Residential, Hybrid and Online Option
Master of Divinity students can complete their degree as a residential student (primarily in-person courses on Garrett’s campus) or as a hybrid student (primarily online courses with some in-person courses) or as an online student.
Concentrations
Concentrations are not required. Declaring a concentration allows you to customize your education for your ministry context. Current concentrations include:
African American Church Leadership (interdisciplinary)
Christian Education
Church History
Congregational Leadership
Ecological Regeneration
Ethics
Evangelism
LGBTQ Studies (in partnership with Chicago Theological Seminary)
Pastoral Care and Counseling
Pastoral Leadership
Peace Studies (in partnership with Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary)
Spiritual Formation
Theology
Worship
Dual Degrees
You can specialize you Master of Divinity by adding a second degree. Current MDiv dual degree options include:
Master of Divinity and Master of Arts
Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies
Courses
Garrett offers courses in a variety of course modalities to meet a variety of scheduling needs. Course options include in-person, online, hybrid, blended synchronous, and more. While the program is taught by faculty of Garrett, students may also take courses at Northwestern University and at any of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Browse Courses
Diverse, Passionate, and Renowned Faculty
BROWSE FACULTY
My vocation as a biblical scholar stems from and reflects my intersectional identity as a Korean-Filipino missionary kid who grew up in the Philippines. Worshipping in Tagalog, Korean, and English-speaking congregations drew me towards ordination in the United Methodist Church where I continue to transgress and traverse multicultural assemblages.
Rev. Dr. Dong Heyon Jeong
Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation
Whether doing theological work in the church, leadership in organizations, or in the academy, theology is a constructive, creative practice that requires us to continually speak in new ways about the beauty and fragmentation present in the world.
Dr. Brian Bantum
Neal F. and Ila A. Fisher Professor of Theology
Degree Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
Demonstrate a general knowledge of:
Scripture
History and doctrine
Practices of the Christian traditions
Interpret Scripture and tradition critically and constructively in the varying contexts of contemporary life
Demonstrate a growing depth of understanding and practice in personal and corporate spiritual discipline(s)
Promote prophetic inquiry and witness for the sake of justice
Engage in critically informed analyses of gender, race, culture, social and economic structures that shape human beings
Articulate critical and multi-faceted expressions of the gospel and invites others to receive it
Demonstrate the capacity to nurture further Christian formation through the practices of ministry (e.g., prayer, liturgy, preaching, pastoral care, and teaching)
Next Steps
Garrett-Evangelical accepts applications from students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or from an AETH-certified Bible institute. Because our primary language of instruction is English, applicants be able to show English proficiency, as evidenced by a previous degree in English or completion of either the Duolingo or Test of English as a Foreign Language test.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. International student applications are due by February 1st.
APPLY TO THE MDIV
SCHEDULE A TOUR
Affording Your Education
FINANCIAL AID
Campus Life
LIFE AT GARRETT
Housing Opportunities
VIEW HOUSING