Academic Study
On-Campus Degrees
Online Degrees
Community Life
Admissions
About Westminster
Initiatives
all DEGREE PROGRAMS
Pastors are called to proclaim God’s Word in a manner that is pure and clear and strong.
“The angels preparing to sound the trumpets. That is what Cotton Mather calls you, students for the ministry: the angels, preparing to sound the trumpets! Take the name to yourselves, and live up to it. Give your days and nights to living up to it! And then, perhaps, when you come to sound the trumpets the note will be pure and clear and strong, and perchance may even pierce even to the grave and wake the dead.”
B.B. Warfield
The call of the pastor is profound—and the robust training of pastors has been central to Westminster’s mission since our founding. From preaching in the pulpit to comforting the suffering and evangelizing the lost, the work of pastoring carries deep responsibility with eternal impact. The global church needs pastors prepared to answer the call.
PROFOUND PREPARATION
Westminster’s new flagship Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry is the most holistic program available toward preparing the next generation of pastors. Our academically rigorous and highly relational training prepares pastors to shepherd with both truth and love.
Westminster’s new MDiv in Pastoral Ministry will uniquely provide you with:
The tools and skills to preach Christ effectively from all of Scripture
Cultivation of your leadership gifts through placement in pastoral internships with experienced pastors in the Westminster tradition
Field experiences that will take you around the globe, from Israel to London and into the studies of seasoned pastors
Careful training in the skill of counseling using the divine and transforming wisdom of Scripture
Competency in biblical languages to equip you to mine Scripture for yourself with accuracy, rather than rely entirely on secondary resources
A solid understanding of the continuity of redemptive history throughout the entirety of Scripture
Deep engagement with the story of the Church through the ages in dialogue with history’s greatest thinkers and theologians in an unrivaled Church History curriculum
Westminster’s signature approach to systematic theology that is rooted in biblical exegesis and the history of redemption
A distinct covenantal apologetic that brings every thought captive to Christ who is the source of all truth and life
Biblical exegesis in the original languages throughout the entire curriculum to ensure a full embrace of Holy Scripture
FACULTY MENTORING
Student mentorship by our professors is the heart of our pastoral training.
80% of classes at 25 or fewer
Small group lunches with faculty twice a week
Monthly cohort meals in faculty homes and other venues
On-location learning experiences in centers strategic for the history of the church
Over 400 hours of focused mentoring from pastors who have modeled the best of Westminster’s theology in practice
meet our faculty
“It is actually somewhat breathtaking to see how the marriage of the time tested, Biblically based excellence of the Westminster curriculum with the enhancement of Westminster distinctives communicated through faculty mentoring and ministry experiences will produce Christ-exalting, God-glorifying and Spirit-filled pastor-preachers for Christ’s church.”
REV. HARRY REEDER
Senior Pastor at Briarwood Presbyterian Church
integrated training
The Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry program provides integrated training through three strategic methods.
Our curriculum is crafted to be cumulatively sequential and thoroughly integrated.
Each discipline derives its content and methodology from Scripture and therefore necessarily draws on—and informs—all other disciplines.
Biblical Languages
18 credits
Greek 1
Greek 2
Greek 3
Hebrew 1
Hebrew 2
Hebrew 3
Biblical Studies
32 credits
Hermeneutics
Intro to New Testament
Intro to Old Testament
OT History & Theology 1
OT History & Theology 2
Prophetical Books
Poetry and Wisdom
The Gospels
Acts and Pauline Epistles
Hebrews to Revelation
Systematic Theology
16 credits
Introduction to Systematic Theology
Doctrine of God
Doctrine of Man
Doctrine of Christ
Doctrine of the Church
Doctrine of Salvation
Covenantal Apologetics
6 credits
Introduction to Apologetics
Principles of Christian Apologetics
Church History
11 credits
Ancient Church
Medieval Church
The Reformation
Church in the Modern Age
Pastoral Theology
26 credits
Introduction to Pastoral Theology and Ministry
Introduction to Pastoral Counseling
Theology and Practice of Preaching
Theology of Evangelism and Missions
Evangelism and Missions in the Local Church
Marriage Counseling
Christian Ethics
Peacemaking Pastor
Foundations of Leadership
Practices of Leadership
Expository Preaching from the New Testament
Expository Preaching from the Old Testament
Exposition & Sermon Delivery
Life-on-life faculty mentorship is the heart of our pastoral training.
Our expert faculty are personally invested in helping you prepare for life and ministry as a pastor.
Mentoring opportunities include:
2x per week small group lunches with faculty
Monthly cohort meals in faculty homes
“Coffee Tab” for impromptu meetings
Travel with faculty in field experiences
Deepen your training through real-life ministry experiences with peers, faculty, and mentors.
Each student will have the opportunity to participate in educational travel and service opportunities near and far.
Opportunities include:
Princeton Tour
Urban Ministry / Campus Ministry
Mission Field Trip with Faculty
Local Church Covenant
Pulpit Supply Program (Year 3)
Pastoral Residency (Year 4)
Frequently Asked Questions
What MDiv in Pastoral Ministry scholarship opportunities are currently available?
Westminster is committed to making sure that admitted students are able to afford its programs through scholarships and network support programs. We will work and pray with you to seek the Lord’s provision if you don’t think you can afford our tuition. We encourage you to apply if you believe that WTS is the best place to prepare you for service in the Lord’s kingdom.
How long is the MDiv in Pastoral Ministry program?
The MDiv in Pastoral Ministry requires 111 credit hours and can be completed in three or four years. The standard track is four years. The three-year track is much more intense and demanding but certainly possible for the determined student. The coursework can also be completed on a part-time schedule, with the requirement that all credits are completed within 10 years.
How do the different MDiv in Pastoral Ministry degree emphases work?
There are two MDiv degree emphases: pastoral ministry and general ministry. The pastoral ministry emphasis includes five required pastoral theology courses. The general ministry emphasis gives four more elective courses than the pastoral emphasis, giving you the ability to pursue your unique ministerial interests. The first menu on this page offers a full list of courses required for MDiv students.
Is the MDiv in Pastoral Ministry offered as an online course?
Westminster believes that training for pastoral ministry should be done in a residential setting with personal access to both professors and fellow students. However, you will have the opportunity to take counseling courses through our online program if you choose counseling electives.
Please Upgrade Your Browser.
Unfortunately, Internet Explorer is an outdated browser and we do not currently support it. To have the best browsing experience, please upgrade to Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Safari.
Upgrade