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Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is the foundational degree for ministry and is required for ordination in many Christian traditions. An M.Div. degree prepares students for ordination or for other professional ministries for which advanced leadership skills are essential. These ministries may include congregational pastor, chaplaincy, campus ministry, spiritual direction, counseling, not-for-profit work, and other community-based ministries.

Degrees Offered

Master of Divinity

Program Types

Graduate

Mode of Study

On Campus

What is a Master of Divinity degree?

The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is the foundational degree for ministry and is required for ordination in many Christian traditions. An M.Div. degree prepares students for ordination or for other professional ministries for which advanced leadership skills are essential. These ministries may include congregational pastor, chaplaincy, campus ministry, spiritual direction, counseling, not-for-profit work, and other community-based ministries.

Why this program at SFTS? 

Critical thinking, pluralism, and spirituality are central to our M.Div. program, preparing you to bridge theological, cultural, and political divides. We combine a framework of academic disciplines—Biblical studies, theology, history, homiletics, liturgics, counseling, and Christian spirituality—with practical ministry experience through required field education. Elements of spiritual, pastoral, and professional development are woven throughout the academic program.

Additional program information

SFTS is a founding member of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, CA—America’s largest consortium of interfaith and interdisciplinary religious thought, study, and practice from around the world. Students have access to classes and resources from institutions ranging from the Institute for Buddhist Studies to the University of California, Berkeley.

  • Three years full-time (with the option to add a full-year internship); up to six years part-time
  • 24 courses; 72 units
  • Competence in one Biblical language
  • Field education consisting of Clinical Pastoral Education or a ministry internship

Candidates for ordination who already hold a master’s degree in religious education or theological studies and who also have a minimum of three years experience in church work may earn the M.Div. degree in a special 24-credit program, usually completed in one year.

Students should have completed the equivalent of the first two years of the M.Div. program in their MA coursework: at least 48 semester credits, of which 15 should be in biblical studies, 15 in historical and systematic disciplines, and 18 in social and behavioral disciplines and ministry.

Eligibility for the special M.Div. program is determined on the basis of evaluation of the MA transcripts. Applicants are encouraged to submit their transcripts for evaluation before undertaking the application process, which is the same process for the regular M.Div.

Program highlights
Flexible program offering
In-person in Marin campus or online in Fall and Spring
8:1
Student to faculty ratio
72
Credits
24
Courses
1
Internship
3 years
Full-time program completion
6 years
Part-time program completion
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Graduate application deadlines
Upcoming
Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Fall 2025. Students are encouraged to submit their application by the priority application date in order to expedite processing and ensure a smooth enrollment experience.
View deadlines

Want to know more?

Get in touch with our admissions team.

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