MDIV

Master of Divinity

Gain pastoral leadership skills through the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). Our MDiv degree program has the rigorous academic courses and spiritual support you need for your calling in Christian ministry or academia. Join a diverse student body and learn within the context of a broadly evangelical ethos.
With our flexible course options, you can attend classes on-campus, online, or a combination of the two. Whatever you choose, our world-class faculty will help you become skilled in biblical interpretation, theology, pastoral care, leadership, preaching, and spiritual formation. Our in-person and online MDiv degree will prepare and equip you to share the good news of the gospel and minister in the Kingdom
“I believe Trinity prepared me to better define the parameters of orthodoxy and to engage in healthier dialogue with those who believe differently than myself. This has meant that as I do ministry in Chicago, I have been able to stand in truth while working across denominational lines. I also believe that my Trinity education has made me a better student of God’s word and a better pastor of the souls entrusted to my care.”
Eric Targe ’16
Logos Bible Software Logo

Logos Package

MDiv students get the amazing Logos software at a significantly reduced price. Focus on your calling while engaging with some of the greatest authors and bible study tools at your fingertips. It is an instrumental tool while studying here TEDS and a tremendous resource after graduation.

Why TEDS?

Trinity has been entrusted with the Gospel since 1897, and every day we are called to live with purpose. Our purpose as a divinity school is to know the Gospel, live the Gospel and make the Gospel known. In today’s ever-changing culture, Trinity immerses students in a community of biblical orthodoxy and practical living. 

Why Earn a Master of Divinity at TEDS?

Take In-Person and Remote Courses

We offer multiple ways for you to take MDiv courses at Trinity: in-person courses, synchronous online courses, and asynchronous online courses. Whether you meet in-person or remotely, you’ll interact closely with your professors through our real-time coursework. A majority of online classes are offered synchronously, which provides opportunities for you to interact directly with you professors. This flexibility allows you to get the full TEDS experience either in-person or remotely.

Resources for a Lifetime of Faithful Ministry

At TEDS, we provide tools and support that you need to succeed as as student and beyond.
Logos Bible Software is a powerful Bible study program. MDiv students at TEDS can purchase Logos software at a significantly reduced price and use it after they graduate. Learn More >>
Formation Groups: Faculty interaction is built into the MDiv program. You'll join a Formation Group in which a professor leads students in an informal weekly meeting so you can glean wisdom and grow together. About Student Life >>
Placement: Find a pastoral position with the help of our Placement Office. We work with churches and ministries from many denominations and have strong ties to Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) churches. Vocation and Career >>

Grow in a Diverse Community

Study with people from all over the world. At TEDS, you are encouraged and challenged by the faith of believers of different backgrounds, ethnicities, and nationalities. The MDiv program provides the opportunity to learn from different theological perspectives while staying rooted in the authority of Scripture. Take courses with professors who fulfill the classic adage: “in the essentials unity, in the non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity.”

Choose from Three Tracks

The Church and Parachurch Ministry track equips you to serve the church in:
  • Local congregations
  • Parachurch organizations
  • Military bases and hospitals as chaplains
  • Missions agencies
  • Campus ministries
The Academic Ministry track provides the theological training you need to pursue a career in academia. Learn to help the church think better about how we understand Scripture, church history, and ministry. This track prepares you to pursue a Ph.D. in top-notch programs, so you can pursue a career in teaching, writing, and more.
The Mission and Cultural Engagement track will help you learn the way of the Lord through a deep understanding and internalization of God’s word in the evangelical tradition. You'll be prepared to critically and creatively engage with the formative power of culture as a crucial element in effective gospel ministry and cross‐cultural mission.

Advanced Placement MDiv

If you received a ministry degree from a Christian college or university, you may qualify for the Advanced Placement MDiv (AP MDiv). It reduces the number of hours you need to complete so you can graduate more quickly. You can also choose to take additional electives and graduate at the regular schedule.

Study with the Authors

Experience a classroom setting like none other. At TEDS, you will study under leading theologians, experts, and renowned authors in their respective fields. Our faculty is among the most widely published in evangelical academia and has deeply influenced the leaders shaping the present and future of evangelical Christianity across the globe. Through their lectures and mentorship, you will grow in your faith and practice.
“The world needs right-minded and right-hearted pastor-theologians and I can’t imagine doing anything more important than training students to teach doctrine in ways that make disciples, form citizens of the gospel, and build up local churches. Nor is there anywhere better to do it than TEDS—a veritable microcosm of global evangelicalism.”
KEVIN J. VANHOOZER
RESEARCH PROFESSOR

Prerequisites

In addition to the requirements for general admission, applicants to TEDS Master of Divinity program must meet requirements specific for the MDiv program. They include:
  • A bachelor’s degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. This GPA is preferred, though not necessarily required.
  • Scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) are required if your GPA is less than 2.5 or if the Admissions Office requests them.
  • A demonstrated working knowledge of the English Bible (this can be demonstrated after admission through either some specific coursework or the Standard Bible Content Test).
  • Students without a completed bachelor’s degree should apply for the Certificate in Christian Tradition to demonstrate their preparation for master’s degree study.
  • Applicants with prior Greek or Hebrew experience can take the Greek Proficiency Exam or the Hebrew Proficiency Exam, which may result in advanced standing in the biblical language sequences.
  • You don’t need to know Greek or Hebrew to be accepted into the MDiv; we will teach you!

MDiv Curriculum

Get the theological training you need to become well-equipped for your calling. Study the Scripture, theology, worldview and culture, and ministry practices. The curriculum culminates in a capstone seminar that addresses relevant topics in theology and ministry.

Curriculum Breakdown:

  • Introduction to Theological Education: 2 hours
  • God’s Word: 36 hours
  • God’s People: 22 hours
  • God’s World: 12 hours
  • Electives: 4 hours

Track Options (Chose one)

  • Church & Parachurch Ministry: 14 hours
  • Academic Ministry: 14 hours
  • Mission and Cultural Engagement: 14 hours

Careers and Outcomes for Master of Divinity Students

An MDiv from TEDS prepares you for your ministry calling. Learn the knowledge and skills you need to shepherd people in traditional church environments, academic spheres, parachuch organizations, and more.
Previous MDiv graduates have pursued careers as:
  • Pastors
  • Denominational leaders
  • Scholars
  • Church planters
  • Community development leaders
  • Crosscultural ministry
  • Chaplains

Request Information

Be equipped to share the gospel and minister in the Kingdom with grace with grace and truth with a Master of Divinity degree from TEDS. Earn your degree in-person or online, gaining the theological knowledge and training you need through flexible learning options and encouraging mentorship.