Divinity (MDiv)
Program Description
The Master of Divinity (MDiv) program is the degree that prepares you for ordained ministry and for general pastoral leadership responsibilities in congregations and other settings. It is also the recommended first theological degree for admission to advanced doctoral programs oriented to theological research and teaching.
The MDiv degree at Seattle Pacific University supports SPU’s mission and vision to engage the culture and change the world with the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ. The degree is built on the classical theological disciplines of Scripture, church history, theology, and ethics. The learning obtained from these fields of study is applied to the pressing needs of the contemporary church.
The Seattle Pacific Seminary Faculty are a collegium of scholars and pastors who are committed to growing together in wonder, love, and praise.
Learn more about the various programs offered at SPS on the Seattle Pacific Seminary Website
Admission Requirements
To enroll in Seattle Pacific University's Master of Divinity (MDiv) program, you must submit:
- A graduate online application for admission.
- A $50 processing fee.
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions.
- Two letters of recommendation:
- one from a clergyperson, church staff person, or parachurch professional who will attest to the your emotional, spiritual, and academic readiness for graduate theological study; and
- one academic reference from a former professor who knows your academic work well.
- A typed personal statement. Statements should be three to four pages in length (double spaced). The statement should address your career objectives, a narrative of your personal Christian experience, rationale for seeking the degree and choosing to attend SPU, and other insights you deem appropriate.
International Students
- Applicants who are not citizens or permanent U.S. residents must provide an official confidential affidavit of financial support covering the first year of intended enrollment. Without this document, SPU cannot issue an I-20 immigration form.
- Students holding undergraduate or graduate degrees from colleges, universities and/or seminaries located outside the U.S. are expected to have their transcripts evaluated by a professional credential agency. Such an evaluation is required before an application for admission to SPS can be granted and before any graduate credits taken elsewhere can be applied to an SPS degree.
- If you earned an undergraduate degree in a country other than the United States, or your degree is in progress, an official course-by-course credential evaluation must be submitted from a NACES member-recognized credential service. Acceptable credential services include, but are not limited to, World Education Services (WES) and Foundation for International Services (FIS).
In addition to the evaluation report, we also require official transcripts and diplomas to be submitted, in English. - English language proficiency: If you do not speak English as your first language, you must also submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 600 on the TOFEL paper or 250 on the TOEFL-CBT, or 100 on the TOEFL-iBT is required. ACE scores will not be accepted.
Transfer Credits
If you wish to apply graduate-level coursework completed at a regionally accredited university or an ATS-accredited divinity school or seminary toward your MDiv, you must provide official transcripts and, in some cases, course syllabi. You may transfer up to 36 quarter credits from other graduate programs.
- To receive transfer credit, each course must be at least 3 graduate-quarter credits and be equivalent to courses taught in the School of Theology at SPU.
- Each course will be considered on a case-by-case basis as to the fulfillment of specific curricular requirements.
- A minimum grade of B will be needed for transferred work.
- All courses applied toward the graduate degree must be taken within seven years of admission.
- In all cases, the final 36 MDiv credits must be taken at SPU.
Credit for Prior Coursework
You will have your transcripts evaluated during the admissions process for the following:
- If you have been granted a master’s degree from another regionally accredited university
- If you have taken graduate-level coursework in theology or a field related to the cross-disciplinary courses offered in the student ministry and culture or business and applied theology tracks
- If you have taken coursework related to the MDiv degree
Application Deadline
Students can apply to Seattle Pacific Seminary to begin Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters, and to begin during Summer Sessions, though most students choose to begin their program in Autumn Quarter.
- Autumn Quarter: July 31
- Winter Quarter: November 15
- Spring Quarter: February 15
- Summer Sessions: May 1
Contact
- Graduate Admissions
- gradadmissions@spu.edu
- 206-281-2091 or 800-601-0603
Divinity (MDiv)
108 Credits Minimum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Community Retreat Courses | ||
| THEO 6001 | Prayer and the Practice of Theology | 2 |
| THEO 6003 | Formation and Vocation: Integrative Capstone | 2 |
| THEO 6980 | Cross Cultural Immersion: Local/Global 1 | 2 |
| Section Credits Required | 6 | |
| Worship and Ethics Courses | ||
| THEO 6403 | History & Theology of Christian Worship | 4 |
| THEO 6413 | Worship and Christian Ethics | 4 |
| THEO 6423 | Ethics of Being With: Topics in Ecclesial Neighborliness | 4 |
| THEO 6433 | Evangelism in the City | 4 |
| Section Credits Required | 16 | |
| Ministry Courses | ||
| THEO 6412 | Designing & Leading Worship | 2 |
| THEO 6540 | Bible for Preaching | 2 |
| THEO 6735 | The Teaching Ministry | 4 |
| THEO 6740 | Preaching | 4 |
| THEO 6743 | Pastoral Care | 4 |
| THEO 6744 | Innovation and Adaptive Leadership | 2 |
| Section Credits Required | 18 | |
| Bible Courses | ||
| THEO 6010 | Bible 1: Intro Old Testament and Pentateuch | 4 |
| THEO 6040 | Bible 2: Historical Books to Prophets | 4 |
| THEO 6070 | Bible 3: Intro NT and Gospels | 4 |
| THEO 6075 | Bible 4: Acts to Revelation | 4 |
| Section Credits Required | 16 | |
| Global Christian Heritage | ||
| THEO 6020 | Global Christian Heritage 1: Creed & Canon | 4 |
| THEO 6050 | Global Christian Heritage 2: Reform and Revival | 4 |
| THEO 6080 | Global Christian Heritage 3: Mission and Migration | 4 |
| THEO 6085 | Ecclesiology and the Pacific Northwest | 2 |
| Section Credits Required | 14 | |
| The Church's Doctrine | ||
| THEO 6030 | Church's Doctrine 1: Trinity & Creation | 4 |
| THEO 6060 | Church's Doctrine 2: Christ & Salvation | 4 |
| THEO 6090 | Church's Doctrine 3: The Holy Spirit, the Church, and Christian Hope | 4 |
| Section Credits Required | 12 | |
| Workshop Courses 2 | ||
| Select From the Following: | ||
| Ministry Workshop: A | ||
| Ministry Workshop: B | ||
| Church Administration Workshop: A | ||
| Church Administration Workshop: B | ||
| Section Credits Required | 10 | |
| Contextual Education 2 | ||
| THEO 6940 | Contextual Education Internship 2 | 6 |
| or THEO 6941 | Contextual Education Intensive Internship | |
| Other Electives (THEO or Approved Interdisciplinary) 3 | ||
| Select From the Following: | ||
| Koine Greek I | ||
| Koine Greek II | ||
| Koine Greek III | ||
| Hebrew I | ||
| Hebrew II | ||
| Hebrew III | ||
| Wesleyan/Methodist Doctrine | ||
| Theological Explorations | ||
| Theological Foundations for Reconciliation | ||
| Theology of Gender and Sexuality | ||
| Introduction to Practical Theology | ||
| Christian Spiritual Classics | ||
| Theology and Practice of Youth and Family Ministry | ||
| Denominational Polity | ||
| Denominational History | ||
| Methodist History | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Contemporary Topics | ||
| Section Credits Required | 10 | |
| Total Credits | 108 | |
- 1
Can be substituted with additional units of THEO 6160 or THEO 6161
- 2
Must be repeated to meet credit requirement
- 3
Approved Interdisciplinary Electives available in SPS Student handbook.