For the Called
Discerning God’s will for your vocational future and then claiming your call is foundational for spiritually grounded and prophetic leadership. To live into God’s call requires vocational courage: it requires being open to going to unexpected places, being stretched in unexpected ways, and being transformed into the fullness of who God created you to be.
At Garrett, we walk alongside you and help you think creatively and prayerfully about your calling. Our flexible curriculum and location in the Chicago metropolitan area give you abundant opportunities to further explore and refine your call, and what you learn here can take you just about anywhere.
For the Scholar
At Garrett, you’ll learn from one of the most diverse faculties in the nation and be immersed in an inter-cultural and inclusive community. You’ll experience a comprehensive theological education that brings to the center cross-cultural competences, sexual and racial identities, and spiritual formation. The Chicago metropolitan area is our home as well as our learning laboratory. As a student, you can cross-register at Northwestern University and ten other seminaries in Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) consortium. Our Styberg Library is one of the top ten theological libraries in the country and you will have borrowing privileges to Northwestern University Library and all of the libraries in the ACTS consortium.
For the Seeker
Well-rounded faith leaders must have a vibrant, sustaining spiritual life. At Garrett, you’ll find a variety of ways and places to nourish your spirit throughout your seminary journey. In the classroom, you’ll learn the foundations of Christian spiritual formation and personal spiritual practices. We also offer degrees and certificates focused specifically on spiritual direction and formation.
Outside of the classroom, you’ll have opportunities to pray, sing, and break bread in community worship and communal prayer services. Our location in the Chicagoland area also gives you access to a wide variety of diverse churches and faith communities. Whether it’s walking through our prayer garden, doing a devotional in one of our prayer rooms, or meditating along the shore of Lake Michigan, you’ll find plenty of quiet spaces to connect with God on campus.
For the Preacher
At Garrett, we believe God calls us to boldly proclaim the transforming love of Jesus Christ to the world. For those called to preach, you’ll learn to craft compelling, faithful words of Good News from our liturgical studies faculty and benefit from workshops and conferences hosted by our Styberg Preaching Institute. Whether called to the pulpit or the public square, at Garrett you’ll learn to embody God’s transformative love by working to address head-on the variety of challenges and injustices our churches and communities face.
For the Advocate
Our vision of theological education embraces John Wesley’s understanding of personal and social transformation. We trust that God is at work reconciling, liberating, and sanctifying the lives of persons, communities, nations, and the earth, and we witness that work in and through the lives of our graduates and their ministries. The concerns of the church, our society, and of our wider world demand leaders who push beyond “business as usual” and dare to join God’s active presence in the world. At Garrett, you will experience a theological education that will transform you so that you can transform the world.
For the Servant Leader
We challenge persons and faith communities to fashion themselves as servant leaders who are equipped to listen, recognize, analyze, and respond to the needs of our communities out of a faithful theological imagination rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You’ll find our 4,500 living alumni engaged in variety of vibrant ministries in all 50 states and in over 30 countries. Here you will not just learn to manage churches, organizations, and institutions, but you will learn how to lead a movement of transformative change in your local community and in our world for the wellbeing of all persons and creation.
Financial Aid
Garrett-Evangelical is committed to supporting you with a financial aid package that recognizes your academic ability, background, and need. Generous support from the seminary's alumni/ae and friends allows us to support you in this community act of Christian stewardship. At Garrett-Evangelical, EVERY full-time AND part-time master degree student receives a scholarship. Each year, we give over $2.5 million in scholarships and full-time master's degree students are guaranteed a scholarship of 50% tuition to 100% tuition plus stipend.
Student Life
Community at Garrett-Evangelical is basic to seminary formation. Classrooms of hospitality, a dynamic worship life during the week, covenant groups, prayer circles, community meals, and student-organized events are a key part of understanding and experiencing the formation of Christian community. Through coursework, academic advising, rich conversation, and community experiences, you will be nurtured and empowered to fulfill God’s call and claim on your life.
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2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60201
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