The Master of Divinity Degree is a three-year program designed
for men and women preparing for ordained ministry and leadership
in the church. It is also appropriate for those preparing for
pastoral counseling, teaching, non-profit management and
various kinds of public ministry and social service. This program
emphasizes the development of understanding, skills and creativity:
- to interpret and communicate Christian history, faith and heritage;
- to discern the relationship of Christian faith and belief to contemporary issues and problems in the church and the world and
- to guide and nurture the personal and social transformation of individuals, organizations, and systems.
M.Div. students may apply to participate in the Center for Community Transformation during the second year of their program. They can also earn field education credit by participating in the DEPTH Youth Program.
Where do our M.Div. graduates serve? They do their work in parish and faith communities, healthcare facilities, human service organizations, governmental agencies, business and academic environments as well as in the streets of our cities.
Master of Divinity Suggested Course of Study (PDF)
Master of Divinity Criteria for Admission
CTS degree programs are enriched by two Lilly Foundation funded programs: The Center for Community Transformation and the DEPTH Youth Program.
Through the Center for Community Transformation (CCT), Master of Divinity students and faculty spend a year in one of three Chicago neighborhoods. They work collaboratively with partner congregations and community organizations selected because of a commitment to justice and transformation. Students also reflect weekly on issues of vocation and leadership and study core subjects (like worship, Bible and theology). Together, they ask questions like:
- “What are the connections between worship and social responsibility?”
- “What does Christian ethics have to say about providing health care to the uninsured?”
- “How can the Bible help us to respond to a neighborhood’s dreams and struggles?”
In short, the CCT takes theological education out into our communities, where we learn what it means to do theology and ministry in context.
The DEPTH Youth Program offers high school young people and their adult partners opportunities to explore faith and consider God’s claim on their lives. It includes three components. The DEPTH Youth Peace Project connects CTS students with high school youth from Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood, for eight months of study and service. The Transforming Leaders Project provides learning, peer support and spiritual encouragement to adults who are engaged with young people in their congregations. DEPTH also sponsors courses in ministry with young people in the regular CTS curriculum.
M.Div. students apply to participate in the Center for Community Transformation during the second year of their program.
M.Div. students can also earn field education credit by participating in the DEPTH Youth Program.
Ph.D. students serve as CCT teaching assistants in the Center for Community Transformation and as DEPTH interns.
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