Western Seminary

Addiction Studies

The Addiction Studies Certificate program prepares practitioners of personal integrity and spiritual maturity to provide effective, ethical, culturally inclusive, professional addiction counseling from a Christian worldview. The program provides the specialized knowledge and professional skills for a wide range of addiction counseling professions and ministries with special emphasis on the treatment of Chemical Dependency.

Applied Biblical Leadership

The purpose of the Master of Applied Biblical Leadership program is to prepare experienced ministry leaders to enrich their biblical, theological, and pastoral skills for the church and other ministries. It is designed for those who have been doing full-time ministry for half a decade or longer but have not had graduate Bible education and want to fill out gaps in their training and get a deeper foundation for their present and future ministry.

Biblical and Theological Studies

The purpose of the Master of Arts (Biblical and Theological Studies) (MABTS) degree is to provide a graduate-level understanding of biblical and theological disciplines for students seeking specialized education.

Counseling

The purpose of the Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling program is to equip practitioners of personal integrity and spiritual maturity who will provide effective, ethical, culturally inclusive, professional counseling from a Christian worldview.

Counseling with Addiction Studies

The purpose of the Addiction Studies Certificate program is to prepare practitioners of personal integrity and spiritual maturity who will provide effective, ethical, culturally inclusive, professional addiction counseling from a Christian worldview.

Divinity

The purpose of the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program is to prepare present and future ministry leaders to effectively lead the church and other ministries. It is designed for those preparing for vocational ministry, including the pastorate, intercultural service, Christian education, pastoral counseling, chaplaincy, evangelism, music and worship ministries, and related areas of service. Historically, the MDiv degree has been the recommended program for those preparing for ordination.

Global Leadership

The purpose of the Master of Arts (MA) in Global Leadership (MAGL) program is to equip Christians for ministry leadership in a global context. It combines the core ministry and leadership skills with a focused ministry specialization preparing one to work in diverse cultural settings of the world. It also serves as an excellent degree program for those preparing for doctoral studies in intercultural leadership or intercultural education.

Graduate Studies

Western Seminary offers the flexible, one-year Graduate Studies Diploma (GSD) program for individuals with varying objectives for theological education. While it is not intended to provide a full level of training and education for pastoral, church-planting, and teaching ministries, it does provide a foundation of biblical education and ministry skills helpful for bi-vocational ministries and those serving in a support capacity.

Graduate Studies

Western Seminary offers the short and flexible Graduate Studies Certificate (GSC) program for individuals who require limited and focused theological training to enter a ministry role or for personal growth and development. Since these credits could also be subsequently applied to diploma or degree programs, the GSC is suitable for those who wish to enroll in seminary without making the commitment required for longer programs.

Intercultural Education

Western Seminary's Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Education degree is an advanced, academically oriented degree that prepares people for theologically and interculturally related vocations of teaching and research in theological schools, colleges, and universities or in other settings appropriate to the degree.

Intercultural Education

The purpose of the Doctor of Education in Intercultural Education (EdD) is to equip people for educational leadership positions in global intercultural settings in teaching, training, and research. This includes formal teaching in colleges and/or seminaries to informal or non-formal training of Christian workers in intercultural and global settings. The EdD program is research-based and includes two research courses: one covers the proposal draft and the other on research design.

Intercultural Studies

The purpose of the Doctor of Intercultural Studies (DIS) program is to develop theologically competent ministry in an intercultural context by equipping students with advanced knowledge and skillsets that integrate the study of theology with a variety of cognate disciplines that enhance ministerial practice. The program is an advanced professional degree intended for those who face the challenge of a pluralistic society and who work within an intercultural, global context.

Ministry

The purpose of the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program is to enhance the practice of ministry for persons who hold the MDiv or an MA in biblical, theological, or ministerial studies (or their educational equivalents) and who have engaged in ministerial leadership. It is an advanced professional degree intended for persons engaged in substantial vocational Christian leadership service, such as pastors, chaplains, educators, missionaries, and leaders in parachurch ministries.

Ministry and Leadership

The purpose of the Master of Arts (MA) in Ministry and Leadership program is to equip persons for ministry leadership in some form of specialized ministry in congregations and other ministry settings. It combines the core ministry and leadership skills with focused ministry specializations required in congregations and parachurch ministries today.

Theology

The Master of Theology (ThM) facilitates the development of advanced competencies beyond that which is cultivated in other graduate-level programs. The program is designed to serve current and prospective pastors, teachers, scholars, and others who may benefit from advanced training in biblical and theological studies. Aims that accord with the purpose of the program include preparation for Ph.D.