Master of Divinity (MDiv)
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The Master of Divinity degree prepares individuals to assume leadership positions in faith communities and ministerial settings within the larger community. The degree program develops one's capacity to interpret scripture, foster theological reflection, and draw upon theological heritage with pastoral sensitivity.
This program at Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry is intentionally designed with more hands-on training than standard Master of Divinity programs require, to better prepare students for active ministry and service.
Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry has signed formal partnership agreements with fourteen Christian denominations and over twenty-four interfaith collaborators, which provides a dynamic context for studying about faith community leadership in the 21st century. In turn, the School’s relationship with these partners assist students in their denominational requirements for ordination and include the following: African Methodist Episcopal Church; American Baptist Churches of the Northwest; Church of the Brethren, Oregon-Washington District; Community of Christ, Greater Pacific Northwest USA Mission Center; Episcopal Church in Western Washington, Diocese of Olympia; Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Northwest Washington Synod; Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southwestern Washington Synod; Presbyterian Church (USA), Synod of Alaska-Northwest; Mennonite Church USA, Pacific NW Conference; Northwest Regional Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle; Unitarian Universalist Association, Pacific Northwest District; United Church of Christ, Pacific Northwest Conference; and the United Methodist Church, Pacific Northwest Conference.
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Executive or assistant pastoral leadership
Diaconal ministry
Government administrator
Recovery programs executive director
Chaplaincy, hospice
Nonprofit or faith based nonprofit leadership
Public or private educator
Community minister
Family, adult or youth religious education program direction
MDiv - Chaplaincy, specific vocations
Associate ministry executive
International service director
Denominational executive/pastor
Recovery programs executive director
Government administrator
Youth minister/family services provider
Chaplain/hospice care director
Executive director/nonprofit organization
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Chaplaincy Specialization: For students beginning Fall 2013, we've launched the MDiv
Specialization in Chaplaincy which prepares individuals to serve as a
certified chaplain in hospitals, hospice, military, correctional
facilities, social service agencies and more.
MDIV + Post-Master's Certificate in one of the following:
Interested? Talk to Colette, our Admissions Coordinator: casavant@seattleu.edu | 206.296.5333
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Click here for official MDiv Learning Outcomes and/or here for the MDiv-Chaplaincy Learning Outcomes
* All credits are quarter credits
** Years average is based on FT at 3 classes per quarter
I. Scripture
Fifteen credits:
STMM 526 Hebrew Scripture (3)
STMM 527 Christian Scriptures (3)
Elective in Hebrew Scripture (3)
Elective in Christian Scripture (3)
Elective in Scripture (3)
II. Systematic and Historical Theology
Twenty-four credits:
STMM 500 Christian Anthropology (3)
STMM 501 Christology (3)
STMM 503 Theology in an Ecumenical Context (3)
STMA 500 Hermeneutics (3)
STMA 504 God, Creation, and Trinity (3)
Elective in Systematic Theology (3)
STMA 516 History of Ancient Christianity, or
STMA 517 History of Medieval Christianity (3)
Elective in Historical Theology (3)
III. Spirituality, Ethics, and Justice
Eighteen credits:
STMM 504 Christian Ethics (3)
STMM 547 Christian Sexuality (3)
STMM 560 Ministry in a Multicultural Context (3)
STMM 561 Contemporary Christian Spirituality and Prayer (3)
STMA 570 Spiritual Discernment (3)
Elective in Ethics or Justice (3)
IV. Pastoral Skills and Ministerial Formation
Twenty-seven credits:
STMM 553 Pastoral Care Skills (3)
STMM 554 Fostering Communities of Faith (3)
STMM 557 Ministerial and Theological Integration I (3)
STMM 558 Ministerial and Theological Integration II (3)
STMM 559 Ministerial and Theological Integration III (3)
STMA 546 Theology of Pastoral Leadership I (3)
STMA 555 Theology of Pastoral Leadership II (3)
STMA 557 MDiv Synthesis I (3)
Elective in Religious Education (3)
V. Worship and Liturgy
Six credits:
STMM 505 Sacramental and Liturgical Theology, or
STMM 510 Theology and Practice of Worship (3)
Elective in Worship/Liturgy (3)
VI. Electives (27)
MINIMUM CREDITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE..................117
Chaplaincy Specialization
I. Scripture
Fifteen credits:
STMM 526 Hebrew Scripture (3)
STMM 527 Christian Scriptures (3)
Elective in Hebrew Scripture (3)
Elective in Christian Scripture (3)
Elective in Scripture (3)
II. Systematic and Historical Theology
Eighteen credits:
STMM 500 Christian Anthropology (3)
STMM 501 Christology (3) OR STMM 575 Images of the Sacred
STMM 503 Theology in an Ecumenical Context (3)
STMA 500 Hermeneutics (3)
Elective in Systematic Theology (3)
STMA 516 History of Ancient Christianity (3), or
STMA 517 History of Medieval Christianity (3) or
STMM 563 Christian Spirituality (3)
III. Spirituality, Ethics, and Justice
Eighteen credits:
STMM 504 Christian Ethics (3)
STMM 547 Christian Sexuality (3)
STMM 560 Ministry in a Multicultural Context (3)
STMM 561 Contemporary Christian Spirituality and Prayer (3)
STMA 570 Spiritual Discernment (3)
Elective in Ethics or Justice (3)
IV. Pastoral Skills and Ministerial Formation
Twenty-seven credits:
STMM 553 Pastoral Care Skills (3)
STMM 554 Fostering Communities of Faith (3)
STML 561 Transformational Leadership
STMM 557 Ministerial and Theological Integration I (3)
STMM 558 Ministerial and Theological Integration II (3)
STMM 559 Ministerial and Theological Integration III (3)
STMA 542 Chaplain as Reflective Practitioner - Theologian (3, 1 unit CPE)
STMA 557 MDiv Synthesis I (3)
Elective in Religious Education (3)
V. Worship and Liturgy
Six credits:
STMM 505 Sacramental and Liturgical Theology (3), or
STMM 510 Theology and Practice of Worship (3)
STMM 550 Preaching the Word: Homiletics (3)
VI. Chaplaincy Specialization
Fifteen credits:
STMA 561 Psycho-Spiritual Development (3)
STMA 581 Family Systems in Ministry (3)
STMC 552 Counseling Theory and Techniques (3)
STMC 554 Group Counseling Theory and Techniques (3)
STMC 570 Addiction and Abuse (3)
VII. Specialization Electives
Nine credits:
STMA 543 Chaplaincy I: Crisis and Trauma Counseling (3, 1 unit CPE)
STMA 544 Chaplaincy II: Grief and Loss Counseling (3, 1 unit CPE)
STMA 545 Chaplaincy III: Brief Counseling in Pastoral Care and Counseling (3, 1 unit CPE)
VIII. General Electives (9)
Students may take up to 6 credits of Greek and 6 credits of Hebrew as electives.
MINIMUM CREDITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE..................117
Focus Areas
Theological Sophistication
Ability to reflect theologically on the central themes of the Christian tradition. Reading scriptural texts critically.
Practical Idealism
Ability to draw critically and constructively on Christian moral traditions to lead sustainably toward a more just and humane world. Ability to lead from spiritual depth toward action for justice and wholeness in the world.
Perspective Expansion
Ability to be a responsive, discerning listener who can enter the worldview of the other. Knowledge of the interaction of religious/spiritual experience and culture in their ecumenical and multicultural dimensions.
Spiritual Leadership
Ability to discern and nurture spiritual experience in relation to self and others. Ability to articulate and live from an understanding of self as human, minister, and leader.
Community Leadership
Ability to guide and direct a faith community (i.e. a congregation, parish, pastoral care unit, etc.) in its mission. Developing the ability to engage the community with its larger social context and to articulate and communicate the mission that guides the community.
Ecclesial Knowledge
Knowledge of traditions in relation to sacramental theology, liturgical method, worship elements and structure, and the ability to engage them in an ecumencial diversity of praxis.