Master of Divinity degrees | Drew University

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or from an equivalent overseas institution.
Transcripts for all academic study beyond secondary school.
Statement of purpose by the applicant explaining the reasons and goals for pursuing the Master of Divinity degree.
Two letters of reference with at least one coming from a religious leader

Additional Navigation

Degree Course Requirements

Answer the Call

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree is a 78-credit degree program that provides professional graduate education for those seeking to be:

Ordained pastors or deacons
Congregational leaders
Community organizers or activists
Chaplains in hospital, university or prison settings

Rooted in the long tradition of Wesleyan and Methodist commitment to higher education, Drew’s MDiv prepares a learned Christian leadership in and for the world. Whether in full-time or bi-vocational ministry, graduates of this flexible and innovative program will be rooted in the Christian story and traditions, capable of effective and creative leadership and spiritually and socially resourceful for cultivating the radical gospel of Jesus Christ in, with and for the world.

Learn Together and Where You Are

At Drew we know that learning happens everywhere. This degree is designed to connect your learning in a ministry context, at Seminary Hall, in online video conference classrooms and in off-campus immersions. It can be completed in a combination of in-person and online learning organized in a mix of semester-long and intensive schedules. Although 3 years remains the most common timing for an MDiv, this degree can be completed in as little as 2 ½ years or can be taken part-time over 4 years.

United Methodist students do not need to relocate to New Jersey to get a Drew degree! Because of our flexible hybrid program, you can complete the 26-credit UMC residency requirement by coming to campus for as few as four intensive weeks over three years. For more information, contact [email protected].

Program of Study: Missional. Vocational. Adaptive.

The program consists of a gateway year, a vocational pathway and experimental and experiential learning that develops and deepens adaptive leadership skills.

MISSIONAL (18 CREDITS)

Six required missional and multidisciplinary courses ground all students in religious heritage, theological and spiritual depth, moral integrity, pastoral practice and peace with neighbors. They have been designed by Drew’s renowned faculty in different fields and are grounded in classical theological disciplines and infused with pastoral practices, community partnerships and gospel values.

Transforming Theologies
Bible and Its Interpreters
Christian Communities in Contexts
Gospel Living and Social Transformation
Global Faith and the Earth
Identity, Spirituality, and Vocation

VOCATIONAL (27 CREDITS)

You will choose one of four flexible vocational pathways to build the skills that best suit your needs and passions.

Congregational Ministries
United Methodist Congregational Ministries
Social Justice Advocacy
Chaplaincy Ministries

ADAPTIVE (11 CREDITS)

You will engage in experimental and experiential learning to help you develop adaptive leadership skills. In this sequence, students engage real-world contexts and challenges and test and adapt solutions:

Search for the Good community courses
Problem-solving learning labs
Vocationally-relevant internships and apprenticeships
Study abroad intercultural immersion experience
Organizational leadership course
Capacities portfolio

ELECTIVES (22 CREDITS)

You can choose elective courses from either the Theological School or the Caspersen School for Graduate Studies course listings pending advisor approval. Through these electives, you may also gain an optional concentration by completing four courses within one of the following categories:

Africana and African American Religion (AFAM)
Religion and Ecology (ECO)
Religion and Social Justice (RSJ)
Women’s and Gender Studies (WMST)
Conflict Resolution (CRES)

United Methodist Course Requirements for Ordination

Since Drew is a United Methodist affiliated institution all standard courses required for United Methodist ordination or certification are offered. However, it is the student’s responsibility to determine from their annual conference if any additional course requirements exist.

With recent changes regarding United Methodist residency requirements, Drew also urges each student to check with their local Boards of Ordained Ministry or appropriate leadership to make sure they are in compliance. Degree work can be completed fully in residence on campus, fully online or in a hybrid manner to try and meet the unique situations of our United Methodist students.