Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity program provides a three-year curriculum in graduate theological study for those preparing for a preaching and teaching ministry of the Word of God. This program is designed to furnish a broad foundation for people entering the pastorate, church-related counseling ministries, intercultural ministry, Christian education, and related types of Christian service.

Students may choose from five concentrations: Exegetical Studies, Pastoral Studies, Counseling, Chaplaincy, or Intercultural Studies.

Admissions Requirements

In order to be considered for enrollment in the Master of Divinity program at Grace Theological Seminary, you must fulfill certain admission requirements. Below is a list of the requirements.

  • A four-year bachelor‘s degree, or its equivalent (for international students), from a recognized institution of higher learning. Graduates of Bible colleges, liberal arts colleges, and state colleges and universities are encouraged to apply.
  • A student who received his or her pre-seminary education at an institution which is not accredited or who achieved less than a 2.5 grade point average in pre-seminary education may be admitted on academic restriction.

Apply now

Registration can take place up to and during the weekend of orientation. However, the Application Deadline is August 1 for the fall semester and December 15 for the spring semester. 

The following items are required in the application process. Unless otherwise specified, submit the requested information to:

Grace Theological Seminary
Office of Graduate & Adult Enrollment

ATTN: Dean of Admissions
200 Seminary Drive
Winona Lake, IN 46590
Fax: 574-372-5120
For faxed applications, be sure to include a cover page stating 'Seminary Application'.
Email Seminary Admissions

Upon examination of the student’s transcripts there are two options for obtaining Advanced Standing:

It is important to note that students applying for advanced standing credit must do so through the Office of the Dean of the Seminary within the first semester after they have been officially admitted to Grace Theological Seminary. For more information or to set up a meeting to determine advanced standing contact the Seminary Recruitment office at 877-607-0012.

  • Seminary Application

    When you complete the online application, it will be sent electronically to the Seminary Admissions Office, and the $30 application fee will be waived. If you would like to fill out a paper application, download the Application. and complete and mail it to the Seminary Admissions Office. Please include the $30 application fee.

    Seminary Application

  • Photos

    Send two recent photos of yourself through email to Seminary Admissions.

References

Distribute the three required reference forms to the appropriate persons as explained below.

  1. Pastor Reference Form

    Email the above link and have your pastor the following link and have your pastor complete the online pastor reference form. The pastor will be required to enter your first name and last name on this form so please supply this information to them. Please use the same information that you provided on your application form

    Pastor's Reference Form

  2. Church Recommendation Form

    Email your church and have the proper church authority (pastor, head elder, etc.) complete the online church reference form. The church authority will be required to enter your first name and last name on this form so please supply this information to them. Please use the same information that you provided on your application form. If you are unable to correspond with your pastor by email you may download the Church Recommendation Form.

    Church Recommendation Form

  3. Personal Reference Form

    Obtain a personal reference from someone other than a family member by contacting them by emailing a link to the online form below. They will be required to enter your first name and last name on this form so please supply this information to them. Please use the same information that you provided on your application form. If you are unable to correspond with your personal reference person by email you may download the Printable Personal Reference Form.

    Personal Reference Form

  • Acceptance Process

    When all forms have been received and evaluated, you will be advised of the Admissions Committee’s decision. The Admissions Committee may request that you submit additional materials and/or that you interview with a representative of the Seminary.

  • Deposit and Letter of Intent

    After receiving notice of acceptance, please send $250 as an advanced tuition deposit and sign and return the letter of intent. This payment must be made by July 1 for the Fall semester, December 1 for the Spring semester, or within 15 days of notification if admission is granted after these dates. See refund policy.

  • Advanced Standing (Transfer Credit)

    Advanced standing may be available for students that have completed theological courses at colleges approved by Grace Theological Seminary. If course credit is granted then there will not be any need to take an equivalent class or replace the credit for these courses. There are limits to the amount of advanced standing that will be granted. A maximum of 15 hours will be granted for MDIV applicants and 9 for the 48 credit hour MA programs. Please discuss this with the Seminary Admission Office during your application process.

    1. Advanced Standing Examinations

      Advanced Standing by examination will be granted if the following requirements are met:

      1. A student has achieved a "B-" or better in the course for which Advanced Standing is requested.
      2. The student has graduated from an accredited and/or approved college.
      3. The student successfully passes the Advanced Standing examination for first year courses at Grace Theological Seminary. The cost of each Advanced Standing exam is $50. Students must register for each test at the Academic Affairs Office in the first semester of enrolling at Grace. This test fee is non-refundable.

    2. Course Waivers

      Academic credit may be given for students that have completed seminary level courses at institutions approved by Grace Theological Seminary. These waivers will require you to take a different class to replace the waived credits, but you will not have to take the very same course a second time. Please discuss this with the Seminary Admission Office during your application process.

2012 - 2013 Tuition and Costs

  • Per credit hour $442
  • Per audit hour $147

Questions?

Email Seminary Admissions or call 877-607-0012.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Checklist

  • Apply and be accepted for admission to Grace College.
  • The FAFSA must be completed and mailed to the government as soon as possible after January 1st. Grace's Federal School Code is 001800. June 30th is the deadline.
  • File the FAFSA form online (preferred for Indiana residents).
  • Documents or clarifying information requested by Grace College’s Office of Student Financial Aid Services must be submitted within 30 days by the student and/or parent. Notify the Student Financial Aid Office if you will be receiving any outside sources of financial aid.
  • Upon receiving the Student Aid Notification letter from Grace College, the student must carefully follow all the instructions that are listed.
  • Male citizens of the U.S. and male immigrant aliens 18 through 25 years old must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System to be eligible for federal student loans and grants. Men can register at any post office or register online

Grace College & Seminary
Office of Student Financial Aid Services
200 Seminary Drive
Winona Lake, IN 46590
Telephone: 800-544-7223 x6212

Scholarships

  • Sparks Endowment (GTS Scholarship)

    The GTS scholarship program is available to seminary students enrolled in a master’s degree program of 48 hours or more (M.A. in Local Church Studies, M.A. in Intercultural Studies, and the M.Div.). The scholarship will provide $65 per credit hour for Grace Brethren members and $50 per credit hour for non-Grace Brethren members. Eligibility may be affected by other types of financial aid received. It is the student’s responsibility to report errors to the Office of Financial Aid. The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to make adjustments to the scholarship amount in the event of an over-award.

    If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at:

    Office of Financial Aid
    Indiana Hall (574) 372-5100 x6162
    FAX: (574) 372-5144
    financialaid@grace.edu

    Qualifications:

    Application Deadlines:

    Apply online for the GTS Scholarship. Alternatively, you may Download the GTS Scholarship Application PDF and mail it to Grace Seminary Admissions, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590.

    GTS Scholarship Application

    1. The student must qualify as a seminary student in a Masters program of 48 hours or more. The scholarship does not apply to Doctor of Ministry students. See the Seminary Department for program eligibility if you have any questions.
    2. Continuing students must be in good standing with GTS financially and academically.
    3. A thank-you note must be completed in the Advancement Office of each academic year the student receives the benefit.
    • Fall semester August 1
    • Spring semester December 1

  • Partners in Education Award

    • Grace Seminary provides a matching scholarship to students whose churches agree to assist them financially. The seminary will match the amount of the church's scholarship up to $500 per student per year. To be eligible, a student is required to be a half-time student in a two or three year program taking at least 6 or more credit hours per semester.
    • Beginning in the fall 2008 semester, this program was also made available for distance/online students. The application deadline for the fall semester is August 1 and the Spring Deadline is December 15.
    • Please have your church fill out the following forms:

      Church Matching Agreement

      Church Matching Recipient Roster

  • Glimpse of Grace Seminary Program (Annual Event)

    Each spring, Grace Theological Seminary hosts a special scholarship event called Glimpse of Grace. The following is a list of the requirements and scholarships that will be awarded.

  • Scholarships:

  • Three trustee scholarships of $2,000 each

  • Three faculty scholarships of $1,000 each

  • Five achievement scholarships of $500 each

  • Criteria for the Scholarships:

    • Have an application turned in, or you may turn your application in on the day of the Glimpse of Grace event.
    • Planning to enroll for the upcoming Fall or Spring semesters.
    • RSVP and attend the Glimpse of Grace Seminary event which is typically late March or early April and go through an interview process during the event. Interested students may contact Seminary Admissions at gtsrec@grace.edu for the specific dates.
    • Anyone that has inquired to Grace for either the upcoming Fall or Spring semesters will be invited. Others that have not inquired to the seminary are encouraged to RSVP and attend.
    • Write an essay that is no longer than 500 words on the topic "Why I have Decided to Attend Seminary". The essay must be turned in before your interview.
    • Only residential students are eligible for the scholarships and all contestants had to be present to win.
    • Candidates are evaluated based on the following areas:
    • Ministry potential and experience
    • Spiritual life
    • Academic achievement

  • FGBC Scholarship Competition

    Prospective seminary students interested in serving in a ministry with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC) are encouraged to apply and participate in an exclusive scholarship competition sponsored by the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation (GBIF).

    A total of $50,000 in tuition scholarships will be awarded to four students who commit to serving in a FGBC ministry for at least three years after graduation. These funds will cover up to 1/3 of a student’s total tuition costs for their degree program.

    Students must fill out a seminary application and turn in a pastoral reference to be eligible.

    Face-to-face or phone interviews can be scheduled with Tonya Cardin via email or call 800-544-7223, ext. 6437.

  • Watch the news blog section for updates on scholarships.

Questions?

Email Seminary Admissions or call 800-544-7223, ext. 6435.