What Makes Western Distinctive?
Community
Western is a vibrant, nurturing, and worshipping community of believers. We are committed to providing a learning environment that maintains a healthy climate for the development of relationships among its students, staff and faculty. Read all about our “Vision of our Life Together” here.
At Western you will encounter a community of faculty, staff, and peers who genuinely care about you and your ministry journey with God. Check out our Community page to explore housing options and learn more about where we’re situated in Holland, MI.
Personal Attention
Western Theological Seminary’s faculty and staff are committed to the growth and learning of our students. At Western, students practice ministry skills under the careful supervision of seasoned mentors in a real ministry setting. Weekly peer group meetings provide space to reflect on these internship experiences. To help students in their discernment, all students complete a first-year evaluation of their capacities and competencies to help set learning goals. They also participate in a mid-program assessment with faculty and Formation for Ministry staff to review their progress and guide them toward completing their MDiv degree.
Commitment to Academic Excellence
Learn with our world-class faculty who combine a passion for scholarship with personal interest in each student. Following admission, each student is assigned a faculty advisor. In class, the student/professor ratio of 14:1 provides a rich environment for close work and individual mentoring. Our faculty members are nationally and internationally known and strive to equip students for Christ-centered, biblically based, theologically integrated, culturally sensitive, mission-oriented Christian leadership.
Multiple Approaches: In-Residence and Distance Learning
How do you learn best? What environment do you prefer? Before signing up for any online course or stepping into a classroom, it is important to discern your own learning style.
In-Residence Learner
- Prefers the physical environment of the classroom
- Enjoys regular face-to-face interaction with professors and peers
- Needs a consistent class schedule and structured learning formats
Distance Learning Learner
- Self-motivated, independent learner
- Wants flexibility of organizing his or her own learning schedule
- Disciplined, can set aside 15-20 hours per week to study and participate in an online setting
- Prefers to continue in current ministry or home situation
- Can travel twice a year for 5-day classroom-based intensives on campus in Holland, MI
- Learn more about our Distance Learning M.Div.
Ordination Procedures
Each denomination has its own procedures for enrolling, supervising, and examining candidates for ordination. M.Div. candidates should check with their pastors or denominational officers regarding specific instructions for ordination in their particular denomination.
An M.Div. candidate seeking ordination in the Reformed Church in America must apply to his or her classis through the home church consistory for a Certificate of Fitness for Ministry. This certificate and the M.Div. degree are required for ordination in the Reformed Church in America. Western’s faculty reviews M.Div. candidates annually and recommends to the board of trustees that it grants the certificate to those candidates who are deemed “fit for minisitry.”
Other information for students interested in being ordained in the Reformed Church in America:
The Certificate of Fitness for Ministry and RCA Vision 2020 Statement
Western Theological Seminary works in close partnership with other denominational boards and candidate committees responsible for the formation of men and women for ordained ministry.
Sequence of Courses
- 87 credit hours, minimum of three years.
- Emphasis on Formation for Ministry includes faculty-led peer groups, ministry internships starting in year 2, and a fall first-year retreat
- Intercultural Immersion trip during summer of year 2
Junior Year
Fall Semester
- MN335 Foundations of the Christian Life (3)
- BL300 Old Testament Foundations (3)
- TH300 Church History I (3)
- MN350 Worship Foundations (3)
- PR401 Abbey 1 (0.5)
- Optional Language 1A or Elective (3)
Spring Semester
- MN336 Christian Interior Life (3)
- BL301 New Testament Foundations (3)
- TH301 Church History II (3)
- PR402 Abbey 2 (0.5)
- Elective (3)
- Optional Language 1B or Elective (3)
Summer
- Elective (3)
Middler Year
Fall Semester
- MN412 Christian Life & Mission (3)
- TH310 Systematic Theology 1 (3)
- PR411 Practice of Ministry: Internship 1 (1.5)
- Language 1A (3)
- PR403 Abbey 3 (0.5)
- Elective (Upper NT) (3)
Spring Semester
- TH440 Christian Life & Ethics (3)
- TH311 Systematic Theology 2 (3)
- PR412 Practice of Ministry: Internship 2 (1.5)
- Language 1B (3)
- PR404 Abbey 4 (0.5)
- MN351 Preaching Foundations (3)
Summer
- PR450 Intercultural Immersion (3)
- PR413 & PR414 Practice of Ministry Internship: 3&4 (summer optional) (3)
Senior Year
Fall Semester
- MN415 Practice of Counsel & Care (3)
- PR405 Abbey 5 (0.5)
- BL490 Biblical Capstone (3)
- PR413 Practice of Ministry: Internship 3 (or summer) (1.5)
- Elective (TH451 RCA Polity for RCA candidates) (3)
- Elective or Language 2A (3)
Spring Semester
- TH490 Credo (3)
- PR406 Abbey 6 (0.5)
- MN490 Leading Christian Communities (3)
- PR414 Practice of Ministry: Internship 4 (or summer) (1.5)
- Elective (Upper OT) (3)
- Elective or Language 2B (3)
Deadlines
Fall Semester (starts late August)
Apply by:
Jan. 1 – Application fee waived for Fall semester MDiv and MA applications!
Feb. 1 – You must be admitted by this date to be considered for the Girod Fellowship or Trustee Scholar Award. (Invitations are extended to qualifying applicants)
March 15 – Deadline for international students
May 30 – To ensure housing and best financial aid opportunities
Aug 1 – Final application deadline
After Aug 1 – Call the admissions office for options!
Spring Semester (starts mid January)
Apply by:
Dec 10 – For best financial aid opportunities
After Dec 10 – Call the admissions office for options!
Program Leaders
Kristen Deede Johnson
Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs, G.W. and Edna Haworth Professor of Educational Ministries and Leadership
John Brogan
Associate Academic Dean, Professor of New Testament, Director of the M.Div. and M.A. Programs, Director of the GPCE