MDiv | Master of Divinity - Gordon Conwell

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Master of Divinity (MDiv)

Full-Time: 3 Years | Part-Time 4-8 Years

All Campuses or 100% Online

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Master of Divinity (MDiv)

If you feel called to vocational ministry, to nurturing and growing churches locally and internationally, to studying the Bible intensively and sharing the Word of God faithfully, Gordon-Conwell’s MDiv is designed for you. Our comprehensive program provides men and women with rigorous theological training, deep spiritual formation, and practical ministry skills to proclaim the gospel with true servant leadership.

You may be called to serve in your local community or across the globe, and our commitment to global discipleship will prepare you to serve with cultural relevance. You will learn from world-renowned faculty in a diverse community of 85 denominations and 50 languages.

Alumni Experiences

Jared Larson

“Gordon-Conwell puts high the authority of God’s word, and from that they let you build your theology. They stay true to the faithfulness of scripture, the infallibility, inerrancy, all those things, and yet from that you can build your theology and not be conformed to a specific theological view. They weren’t trying to put me in a box.”

— Jared Larson (MDiv ‘22)

Katie Hightower

“At Gordon-Conwell, I learned to take the Word of God and the people of God seriously. I learned the importance of biblical languages, to exegete with care, to preach a sermon first to myself and then to my flock. But I also learned that ministry is about people. In my work with undergraduate students at an affluent university, I share the Gospel with those weighed down by heavy expectations for them to change the world. I watch as God unmasks my students and shows them the inadequacy of their own power, achievement, and intelligence. And I remind them that our God is changing the world, and that we get to be a part of His work.”

— Katie Hightower (MDiv ‘18)

Cody Zuiderveen

“Whether I was serving in international missions, discipling students in college ministry, or teaching at a seminary, I have been grateful for the wide range of experience, education, and discipleship that Gordon-Conwell used to equip me for ministry. I particularly appreciate the intentional approach faculty took to developing me as a follower of Christ, not just as a student in the classroom.”

— Cody Zuiderveen (MDiv ‘16)

Cindy Wu

“Through the Partnership Program, my husband and I were both able to attend seminary, something I had resigned to putting off until my kids were out of the nest. I took advantage of the BTI and took a broad range of classes, which ultimately clarified my missional calling to mobilize the church at large. I had professors who empowered and encouraged me, some of whom I still keep in touch with one decade later.”

— Cindy Wu (MDiv ‘11)

TYPICAL STUDENT

The Master of Divinity generally draws students desiring to enter full-time vocational or bi-vocational ministry. The student body is made up of a diverse group of people from different ethnicities, countries, denominations and phases of life. 

Typical Vocations

Pastoral Ministry

Missions

Chaplaincy

Academics

Graduates have also applied their MDiv in the marketplace, public policy, education, research, public service, medicine, dentistry, law, and Hollywood.

Courses

90 Credit Hours (30 Courses)

Course List

Biblical Languages: 4 Courses / 12 Credit Hours

  • Hebrew I (OL501)
  • Hebrew II (OL502)
  • Greek I (GL501)
  • Greek II (GL502)

Biblical Studies: 8 Courses / 24 Credit Hours

Old Testament

  • Exploring the Old Testament (OT500) 1
  • Interpreting the Old Testament (OT511)
  • Old Testament Exegesis (OT 600 level)
  • Old Testament Exegesis (OT 700 level)

New Testament

  • Exploring the New Testament (NT500) 1
  • Interpreting the New Testament (NT502)
  • New Testament Exegesis: Narrative (NT 611–619)
  • New Testament Exegesis: Epistles (NT 620–649)

Christian Thought: 8 Courses / 24 Credit Hours

  • The Church to the Reformation (CH501)
  • The Church from the Reformation (CH502)
  • Theology Survey I (TH501)
  • Theology Survey II (TH502)
  • Theology Elective (TH any)
  • Ethics Course (ET any)
  • Understanding Culture (IS/WM520)
  • World Missions Course (WM601 or TH/WM602)

Practical Theology: 7 Courses / 21 Credit Hours

  • Spiritual Formation course (MC/SF501 or CH/SF591)
  • Pastoral Counseling course (PC511 or MC/PC513)
  • Preaching: Principles & Practices (PR601)
  • Pastoral Communication Course (PR602, PR717, or MC520)
  • Pastoral Skills Course (Any CL or EV Course)
  • Practical Theology (Any CL, CO, EM, EV, MC, PC, PR, or YM Course)
  • Capstone Course: Pastoral Ministry (MC701) or Readiness for Ministry (MC850)

Field Education/Practicum: 3 Credit Hours

  • Mentored Ministry Rotation 1
  • Mentored Ministry Rotation 2
  • Mentored Ministry Rotation 3

General Electives: 2 Courses / 6 Credit Hours

  • General Elective
  • General Elective

This list is provided for you convenience. It seeks to be accurate and up-to-date but does not replace your graduation check sheet as the authoritative statement of degree requirements per your admission. That check sheet provides a fuller list of alternative courses and potential exceptions.

1. Students who pass the Old Testament or New Testament competency exams may waive the course(s) OT500 or NT501 OR replace these with an open elective. (Bible competency exams must be taken prior to a student’s first course).

2. The following course prefixes are associated with Gordon-Conwell’s three teaching divisions

Biblical Studies includes: GL, NT, OL, OT.

Christian Thought includes: AP, CH, CT, ET, TH, WM

Practical Theology includes: CL, CO, EM, EV, MC, MM, PC, PR, or YM

Program Goals

  • Graduates will be spiritually grounded. They will understand who they are as children of God and will be faithful in developing their relationships with Christ and with his people.
  • Graduates will be biblically grounded. They will acknowledge the authority of God’s inerrant Bible and its centrality in governing Christian life and practice. They will understand the main themes and emphases of the Old and New Testaments and have a grasp of the overall message of the Bible and its implications for all aspects of life.
  • Graduates will be exegetically skilled. They will be adept at using the biblical languages, will grasp the basics of interpretive methodology, and will have practice in using tools and techniques to handle the Bible well.
  • Graduates will be historically and theologically adept. They will appreciate the historical and doctrinal heritage both of the Christian church as a whole and of the specific group or groups of which they are a part. They will have significant exposure to historical and theological studies.
  • Graduates will be culturally and globally aware. They will recognize the importance of understanding the culture in which one ministers and will possess experience in interpreting their particular ministry context in light of Scripture. They will be aware of what the Lord is doing to establish his kingdom throughout the world and will see their own ministries in direct connection to the worldwide mission of his church. Graduates in some concentrations will have detailed exposure to cultural and global studies.
  • Graduates will be equipped with ministry skills. They will be adept at public proclamation of God’s Word, discipling God’s people, and guiding the church’s ministries.

Program Distinctives

  • Optional MACO/MDiv dual degree opportunity
  • Development of a firm biblical foundation to equip students for effective ministry
  • Emphasis on the study of original biblical languages
  • World-renowned faculty members training new leaders in the Church
  • Access to other top-tier institutions, including Harvard Divinity School and Boston University School of Theology, through the Boston Theological Interreligous Consortium
  • Mentored Ministry component provides supervised practical ministry opportunities
  • Emphasis on global engagement provides opportunities for hands-on missions experience
  • Academic courses that equip students with a solid foundation for effective ministry in an urban setting
  • Conveniently located in the heart of the city with faculty who are urban ministry practitioners
  • Rigorous courses offered during evenings and weekends to accommodate your schedule
  • Access to other top-tier institutions, including Harvard Divinity School and Boston University School of Theology, through the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium
  • Field-Based Mentored Ministry component provides supervised practical ministry opportunities and carries course credit
  • Emphasis on the study of original biblical languages
  • Emphasis on deep spiritual formation, global engagement and practical training
  • Quality contextualized theological education and hands-on training
  • Rigorous courses offered in various formats (evenings, weekends, week intensives and online/hybrid) to accommodate your schedule
  • Renowned, highly qualified and experienced faculty
  • Emphasis on the study of original biblical languages
  • Enhanced library services with capability to access theological databases from your home
  • Optional MACO/MDiv dual degree opportunity
  • Development of a firm biblical foundation to equip students for effective ministry
  • Emphasis on the study of original biblical languages
  • World-renowned faculty members training new leaders in the Church
  • Access to other top-tier institutions, including Harvard Divinity School and Boston University School of Theology, through the Boston Theological Interreligous Consortium
  • Mentored Ministry component provides supervised practical ministry opportunities
  • Emphasis on global engagement provides opportunities for hands-on missions experience
  • Academic courses that equip students with a solid foundation for effective ministry in an urban setting
  • Conveniently located in the heart of the city with faculty who are urban ministry practitioners
  • Rigorous courses offered during evenings and weekends to accommodate your schedule
  • Access to other top-tier institutions, including Harvard Divinity School and Boston University School of Theology, through the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium
  • Field-Based Mentored Ministry component provides supervised practical ministry opportunities and carries course credit
  • Emphasis on the study of original biblical languages
  • Emphasis on deep spiritual formation, global engagement and practical training
  • Quality contextualized theological education and hands-on training
  • Rigorous courses offered in various formats (evenings, weekends, week intensives and online/hybrid) to accommodate your schedule
  • Renowned, highly qualified and experienced faculty
  • Emphasis on the study of original biblical languages
  • Enhanced library services with capability to access theological databases from your home

Requirements

Academic Requirements

Required Degree: Bachelor’s
Minimum GPA: 2.5

English Language Requirements

Gordon-Conwell requires a TOEFL score of 92 or better (IBT) for International Students. We also accept IELTS scores of 7.0 or higher, or a Duolingo score of 115. Students who have completed an undergraduate degree through an English-language university may request a TOEFL waiver.

Application Requirements

A Completed Online Application Includes:

  1. Application Form
  2. Application Fee
  3. Two Uploaded Essays
  4. Three Recommendations
    • Pastor or Church Official with Church Endorsement;
      (Your pastoral reference will have an opportunity to provide a church endorsement when completing their pastoral recommendation)
    • Friend or Associate;
    • Former Professor or Professional Colleague (references should be individuals whom you have known for at least one year, and who are not related to you.)
  5. Official Transcripts
    • The seminary requires a bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
    • Official transcripts must be sent directly to Gordon-Conwell, or hand-delivered in a sealed envelope. Copies and opened transcripts are not considered official.
    • Transcripts may be sent by any means your college(s) uses for transmitting official transcripts; official electronic transcripts are accepted.
    • Gordon-Conwell is a partner school of Parchment. If your college uses this service for transmitting electronic transcripts, search for and have the transcripts sent to “Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.”
    • We do need transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, even if the classes were transferred to another school and are reflected on their transcripts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about the Master of Divinity (MDiv) at Gordon-Conwell.

How long does it take to complete the MDiv program?

The MDiv can be completed in three years by taking a full course load—four classes each fall and spring, one during the January term (J-Term), and a few over the summer. Many students choose a less intense pace and finish in about four years. Part-time students typically take 1–2 courses per semester or session, not including J-Term, and finish within 8 years.

Can I complete an MDiv fully online?

Yes, you can complete an MDiv online through our Digital or Digital Live courses. It can also be completed in-person or in a hybrid format. Hybrid students can choose to take courses in-person or online depending on which class offerings work best with your schedule.

Can I complete an MDiv fully in person?

At our residential, Hamilton campus, most students take their classes in-person. However, depending on course availability and other factors (family, work, etc.), some students will take online courses as well.

What kind of courses would I take?

MDiv students take a combination of courses across our three academic divisions: Christian Thought (theology, church history, ethics, etc.); Biblical Studies (Greek/Hebrew, exegetical courses), and Practical Theology (preaching, pastoral counseling, etc.). See the degree check sheet and academic catalog for detailed information.

How does Gordon-Conwell's multidenominational identity shape the classroom?

Gordon-Conwell professors and students come from a variety of Christian traditions, including Baptist, Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Pentecostal, Anglican, and more. Yet we’re united around the authority of Scripture, as outlined in our Statement of Faith. In the classroom, you’ll encounter a range of theological perspectives, all explored with openness while staying rooted in the essential truths of the Christian faith. It’s an environment where you’ll be challenged to examine and deepen your own convictions, not change them—and to grow in community with believers from traditions different from your own. Learn more about this in a video by our academic dean and alumnus, Dr. Gerry Wheaton (MAOT & MANT ’03).

What vocational or academic opportunities do MDiv graduates pursue?

MDiv graduates go on to serve in many roles—pastoral ministry, missions, chaplaincy, nonprofit work, and more. It’s a broad, comprehensive degree that prepares students for ministry both inside and outside the church. It also provides a strong foundation for further academic study, including a ThM, DMin or PhD.

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