The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is the professional degree program designed to prepare students for church ministry, chaplaincies, or other specialized ministries. The program meets ordination requirements for numerous denominations and provides appropriate preparatory background for further graduate study in theology and religion.
Cohort Themes
All course work in the MDiv will flow from BST’s four thematic concentrations:
Creative Church & Community
People become involved in churches when they feel a sense of authentic community and spiritual connection. Students will be equipped to create authentic, diverse communities by addressing topics such as organizational change, church renewal, conflict resolution, congregational and communal care, spiritually grounded and ethical leadership, taking one’s faith public, and more…
Spirituality & Resilience
Leaders need to know how to cultivate deep resources for their spiritual, emotional, and professional well-being for self and others. Students will learn to draw on scripture, history, prayer, communal practices, pastoral care, trauma studies, communication skills, the arts, and other valuable resources to support environments where people flourish.
Justice & Reconciliation
Justice is love in action. Reconciliation is justice embodied. God’s love inspires this work. Students will grapple with the justice demands of the gospel; develop strategies for long-term justice work; engage eco-justice and sustainability studies; learn to articulate insights from the rich histories of social and restorative justice movements; and grow in their confidence to address injustice in local, national, and global contexts.
Border Crossing & Bridge Building
Social segregation is an insidious systemic problem that continues to cause deep and lasting conflict. Students from diverse backgrounds will develop intercultural skills through praxis-oriented courses; self-directed, inventive projects; and innovative internship opportunities. Students will also gain valuable skill in using digital resources for common good, including podcasting, social media, and other emerging technologies.
The BST classroom is a laboratory (both physical & cyber) where a diverse group of learners comes together to critically address the increasingly more complex socio-cultural concerns of our day through biblical, ethical, and theological reflection toward the goal of creating a theo-praxis relevant to our time and location.
Dr. LeAnn Snow Flesher
VP of Academics & Dean of the Faculty
Professor of Biblical Interpretation
GTU Core Doctoral Faculty
Quick Facts
72 Units
Can be completed in as little as three years.
Multiple Locations Available
Courses can be taken from BST or through cross-registration at any of our partner schools, centers, or affiliates (Graduate Theological Union (GTU), UC Berkeley).
45 Units of Core Coursework
In Biblical Studies, Theology, History, Ethics, Leadership, Preaching, and Pastoral Arts.
Access to The Flora Lamson Hewlett Library
A world-class theological library (e-resources available), as well as the 26 libraries on the UC Berkeley Campus.
18 Units of Customizable Elective Coursework
With chosen emphasis in one of the four thematic concentrations.
Onsite, Online, or Remote
Courses taught onsite, online and through remote formats.
3 Units of Capstone Project
A culminating academic and practical experience in student’s chosen concentration.
6 Units of One-Year Internship
One-year internship in ministry setting of student’s choice.
Rolling Admissions
BST is a founding member school of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) – a consortium of eight schools, six centers, six affiliates, nine projects and initiatives, and a world-class theological library.
One of the Most Interculturally Diverse Seminaries in the Country
Since our founding 150 years ago, the core values of soul freedom, service leadership, social justice, public witness, religious liberty, and the centrality of the Word (written and spoken) still guide and sustain BST to this day. These Jesus-centered values, rooted in our inclusive inter-cultural heritage, have made BST an attractive school for students of many faith and denominational affiliations.
Here you will truly enter a spiritual “world-house” of teaching and learning, with a world-class faculty and students from every habitable continent on earth.
