Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Master of Divinity

Admissions Requirements ⁄ Admissions Procedures ⁄ Admissions Application

This degree provides the academic qualification for ordination as elder or deacon by The United Methodist Church and other denominations. In addition, the program prepares students with high academic achievement for doctoral studies in religion.

Degree Requirements - 87 semester hours

See below for specific requirements.

A. Designated Field Courses...................................................53 semester hours

Area I: The Christian Tradition in Scripture and History...............23 hours

Bible (14 hours)

Church History (9 hours)

Area II: Theology and Ethics..............................................................15 hours

Area III: Theory and Practice of Ministry ..........................................15 hours

B. Integrative courses................................................................13 semester hours

First Year: Vocational Formation and Church Leadership........... 4 hours

Second Year: Vocational Formation and Church Leadership...... 4 hours
and field placement

Third Year: Vocational Formation and Church Leadership............5 hours
and field placement

C. Open Electives*......................................................................21 semester hours

*Concentrations: Students may elect to do a field concentration as a part of their MDiv program.  This requires a minimum of 15 hours of coursework in the field and an integrative portfolio.  Exact requirements are worked out with an advisor in the field.

D. Denominational Requirements

Students should plan to meet denominational requirements as part of their electives.

E. Spiritual Formation

Spiritual formation is intrinsic to the degree. While it is part of coursework, students are also expected to devote time outside of class to significant formative experiences such as corporate worship, community meals, service, and spiritual direction. Students are introduced to designated spiritual practices (the historic "rule of life") within the Vocational Formation and Church Leadership course. Vocational Formation and Church Leadership (VFCL) and field education continues the covenantal community. The student's "rule of life" is reviewed regularly with faculty advisors.

F. Cross-Cultural Education

Students live in a world of differences, cross-cultural in terms of ethnicity, language, socio-economic status, religion, ideology, gender, and nationality. Cross-cultural dimensions are intrinsically part of the whole curriculum at Garrett-Evangelical. Students complete a cross-cultural requirement both to gain a deepened awareness of the cultural and religious world of ministry and a heightened awareness of their own cultural context and personal identity. Students may meet this requirement through a variety of means (courses, travel courses, field education, independent studies, and/or exchange programs).

G. Continuing Evaluations

In consultation with advisors, students develop, update, and review a portfolio that cumulatively expresses student development through the curriculum. It includes a variety of materials (e.g., written course materials, external evaluations, field education reports, interviews, examinations) appropriate to expected degree learning outcomes.

Ecumenical Theological Seminary Program

Garrett-Evangelical cooperates with the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit in a program that enables students to take up to half of their work toward the MDiv degree in Detroit. Garrett-Evangelical faculty members act as advisors to students admitted to the Garrett-Evangelical MDiv program. Students must do at least half (42) of their semester hours on the Garrett-Evangelical campus.

Master of Divinity and Loyola Master of Social Work:

Garrett-Evangelical and the School of Social Work of Loyola University of Chicago have a cooperative agreement for a dual degree program leading to the MSW at Loyola and the MDiv at Garrett-Evangelical. Students must be admitted to both schools. Interested students should apply to Garrett-Evangelical first and then apply to Loyola during the fall of their first year of MDiv studies. Students begin taking courses at Loyola no sooner than the spring of the first year of studies. Selected courses may be applied to the respective degrees at each school.

Full Degree Requirements