Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree is a professional program that prepares individuals for ordained ministry and general pastoral and religious leadership in congregations and other settings. Wondering what you can do with an M.Div. degree? Read about the ministries of our students and alums.

Students in the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program benefit from contextual learning through Field Education and a required cross-cultural experience. During the year-long Field Ed course and ministry placement students integrate coursework and firsthand experience with the Church’s mission in the world at hospitals, nonprofits, special agencies, and churches in urban, suburban, and rural locations.

Coursework offers deep integration between classical theological disciplines and the missional nature of ministry. The program provides venues and tools for vocational discernment and for formation in the Christian tradition. Throughout the program, historical and current contexts contribute to theological reflection. The January and Summer Terms offer students flexibility to explore electives, deepen their writing skills, learn more about their own faith tradition and others, plus experience a cross-cultural mission trip. In addition to other courses, students take two classes in spiritual formation their first year, two semesters of field education during the second year, and up to six electives as a senior.

About the M.Div. Program

  • With the largest theological library in the tri-state area and a low student-to-faculty ratio that enables close interaction with dedicated scholars and teachers, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary offers unmatched resources for students to research and explore on their journey to a rewarding and fulfilling career.
  • Our 81 semester- credit-hour program can be taken either part or full time with day and evening classes available.
  • Students who graduate from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary pursue a wide variety of creative ministries in the Church, parachurch, and professional settings.

Careers for M.Div. Grads

In addition to ordained pastoral ministry in both new and historic congregations, graduates of our M.Div. program have gone on to pursue further graduate degrees at seminaries. Others have become chaplains in military, hospital, hospice, and prison settings. Still others have managed non-profit organizations, become church planters, and explored other entrepreneurial work. Some have used their degree in lay ministries and others have become denominational leaders. Additional grads have become mission workers. Our M.Div. students feel called to serve God in many ways!

M.Div. Certificates and Joint Degrees

In addition to the M.Div. degree, students can also pursue an emphasis in church planting, graduate certificate in urban ministry, or combine the M.Div. with another professional degree in the areas of social work, public policy, and law.

M.Div. Program Requirements

  • 81 semester credit hours providing coherent progression through the curriculum and connections between required courses
  • Biblical language or English Bible exegesis courses; two biblical languages for Presbyterian Church (USA) students
  • Year-long Field Education course and placement
  • Cross-cultural experience
  • Meetings each semester with the seminary’s Vocation Director for vocation discernment and formation

"One of the great strengths of this seminary is that even though we have world-class faculty, they still have a real heart for the work of the church. Many of them have actively served the church so they're able to really help us to see everything we're doing in the classroom in context of what we will be doing as we work out our callings to God's kingdom." - Laura Blank '13

Master's Degrees

Pittsburgh Seminary Blog

Eugene Peterson: A Pastor to Pastors

October 26, 2018

Today I feel like I lost a friend and mentor that I have never met. Author and pastor Eugene Peterson died earlier this week at the age of 85. According to reports, Peterson was put in hospice last week with dementia and congestive heart failure. Some of his last words as he looked up to heaven were, “Let’s go.” He is probably best known for his paraphrase of the Bible called The Message. I have heard critiques of this, with people saying it is not a good translation of the Scripture. It is not a good translation, but it was never meant to be. As Eugene Peterson paraphrased his sermon [...]

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A Pastor’s Proper Work: How I’ll Remember Eugene Peterson

October 22, 2018

I only met Eugene Peterson once. In 2014, a friend and I published a collection of essays by a number of pastors and scholars engaging Peterson’s vision of the pastoral life. In the fall of that year, Western Theological Seminary hosted a conference based on the book, and they invited Peterson. To my surprise Peterson—in his early 80s and largely retired from public appearances—agreed to attend. The conference fell on his 82nd birthday. At dinner on his birthday, I sat at his table. I remember our deference to his age and wisdom. I remember listening to his stories. I remember how he made us laugh. I remember how he smiled as [...]

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