SFTS is a founding member of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, CA—America’s largest consortium of interfaith and interdisciplinary religious thought, study, and practice from around the world. Students have access to classes and resources from institutions ranging from the Institute for Buddhist Studies to the University of California, Berkeley.

• Three years full-time (with the option to add a full-year internship); up to six years part-time
• 24 courses; 72 units
• Competence in one Biblical language
• Field education consisting of Clinical Pastoral Education or a ministry internship

Candidates for ordination who already hold a master’s degree in religious education or theological studies and who also have a minimum of three years experience in church work may earn the M.Div. degree in a special 24-credit program, usually completed in one year.

Students should have completed the equivalent of the first two years of the M.Div. program in their MA coursework: at least 48 semester credits, of which 15 should be in biblical studies, 15 in historical and systematic disciplines, and 18 in social and behavioral disciplines and ministry.

Eligibility for the special M.Div. program is determined on the basis of evaluation of the MA transcripts. Applicants are encouraged to submit their transcripts for evaluation before undertaking the application process, which is the same process for the regular M.Div.