Who should consider an MDiv?

The Master of Divinity program is recommended for students seeking a comprehensive preparation for Christian ministry. Persons in leadership roles which assume broad knowledge of the church’s faith, tradition and practice should consider this program. You will study the complete range of theological disciplines which include biblical, theological, historical, contextual, formational and practical ministry studies. In some denominations the Master of Divinity is required for ordination to the Christian ministry.

Why EMS?

• Our formation classes will encourage you to focus on your own formation during the seminary journey, helping you to be healthier in your vocation.
• Supervised field education and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) will give you supervised learning experiences in your ministry field. 
• You will develop relationships with faculty who can provide mentoring and advice in your ministry.

Dual Degree Programs, Certificates, and Concentrations

As an embedded seminary, EMS is uniquely positioned to connect you to the broader knowledge and resources of Eastern Mennonite University, including the world-renowned Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. We have worked out special dual degree pathways so that you can complete your MDiv alongside the following graduate degrees:

• MA in Conflict Transformation
• MA in Counseling
• MA in Restorative Justice

Students at EMS can also use some of the elective credits within their MDiv program to earn a graduate certificate in one of the other programs at Eastern Mennonite University. Some options include:

• Conflict Transformation
• Nonprofit Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship
• Restorative Justice

Students interested in chaplaincy can work toward APC board certification through an MDiv with Chaplaincy concentration.

Curriculum (78 SH)

54 credits of core requirements:

Formation courses (15 SH)

Year 1

• FS 503 Formation in Spiritual Practices (3)
• FS 504 Formation in Narrative Identity (3)

Year 2

• FS 601 Formation in Ministry I (3)
• FS 602 Formation in Ministry II (3)

Year 3

• FS 698 Formation in Vocation and Leadership I (2)
• FS 699 Formation in Vocation and Leadership II (1)

Biblical Languages or Alternative (12 SH)

Primary Track

• BIBL 532 Elementary Hebrew (3)
• BIBL 541 Hebrew Readings or BIBL 621 Interpreting the Biblical Text (3)
• BIBL 531 Elementary Greek (3)
• BIBL 541 Greek Readings or BIBL 621 Interpreting the Biblical Text (3)

Alternate Track

• BIBL 532 Elementary Hebrew or BIBL 531 Elementary Greek (3)
• Hebrew Bible book study elective (3)
• New Testament book study elective (3)
• BIBL 621 Interpreting the Biblical Text (3)

Other Core Requirements (27 SH)

• BIBL 511 Hebrew Bible: Text in Context (3)
• BIBL 512 New Testament: Text in Context (3)
• CTH 501 Christian Tradition I (3)
• CTH 512 Christian Tradition II (3)
• CTT 634 Living Theology (3)
• CM 644 Decolonizing Intercultural Studies (3)
• CTE 702 Christian Ethics (3)
• Choose two SMCL courses (6)

24 credits of electives and tradition-specific courses:

• Students interested in chaplaincy can work toward APC board certification through an MDiv with Chaplaincy concentration.
• Use elective credits to earn a graduate certificate in one of the other programs at Eastern Mennonite University.
• A variety of vocational area courses and other electives or may fulfill these requirements. See the catalog for more information about suggested vocational areas.