Master of Divinity (MDiv)
Our Master of Divinity (MDiv) program provides both the theoretical and practical tools necessary to prepare for the rewarding and challenging vocation of Christian service.
In preparation for parish, institutional and administrative ministries, you’ll take courses in theology, biblical studies, counselling, ethics, church history, liturgics and administration.
Martin Luther University College (formerly Waterloo Lutheran Seminary) welcomes students from a variety of denominations into this program.
There are two options available in our MDiv program: contextual option and coursework option. This program can be completed in 24-36 months, depending on which option you choose, and whether you’re in full-time or part-time studies.
Contextual Option
The contextual option is for those preparing for congregational ministry. The program includes congregational placements, community placements and a full-year internship.
Students taking the contextual components of our program are required to be satisfactorily involved in the life of a congregation. In addition to 23 courses and a Supervised Pastoral Education (SPE) unit, you will complete a 12-month internship. You must be deemed capable of assuming the professional responsibilities of the ordained ministry to be recommended for ordination by our faculty.
Coursework Option
The coursework option is for those who are either already working in a ministerial setting or are preparing for non-congregational ministry allowing students to take additional electives (in place of the internship and seminars for those in the contextual option) and focus on coursework in areas of particular interest.
Students admitted to Luther’s MDiv program are automatically entered into the coursework option, which includes 25 courses and a unit of SPE. The SPE placement is normally in a clinical setting, and can be completed throughout your second year or as an intensive unit throughout the summer.
If you are a graduate student taking a full-time course load, you are eligible to receive a bursary of about $600 per term (students receiving senior tuition exemption are not eligable for this bursary). The exact amount varies slightly from year to year. You will need to apply for this bursary on LORIS. You will receive an email notification that a new application is available, you will be able to access it through the Student Awards and Financial Aid tab on LORIS. We award it based on your registration after the last day to add courses for the term. It may take several weeks to appear on your student account, so don’t worry if you don’t see it right away.
- A bachelor’s degree with minimum B average.
- Applications are reviewed by the graduate program committee, which considers all prior university grades, personal statement, current CV, and two letters of reference.
NOTE: Casper tests are no longer required to apply to Luther programs.
Application Deadlines
Feb. 15 for a fall-term start (full-time or part-time studies).
Visit our Graduate Admissions Toolkit for more information about applying.
Application Checklist
After you have submitted your OUAC application, paid the non-refundable application fee, and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from gradadmissions@wlu.ca advising you to upload the additional required documentation to Laurier’s Online Registration & Information System (LORIS).
An application for admission to our Master of Divinity program must include:
- The Application Summary, which is generated after you complete your OUAC application (log back in to OUAC to retrieve it).
- Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. Applicants must upload a digital unofficial copy of each transcript (including graduation certificates where applicable) for every postsecondary educational institution (college or university) they have attended, including those at which a degree or diploma was not completed.
- A completed statement of intent.
- A resume of your academic and work experience. Include a history of your publication and scholarly paper activity and any other information you feel will interest the admissions committee.
- Completed two reference forms. Two academic reference letters are required. If you are no longer a student or have been out of school for a few years, one of the reference letters or both of them could be professional reference letters instead. Please note that the academic referee must be your instructor or supervisor at university and the professional referee must be someone who has supervised you at work or a volunteer position. It cannot be a friend or a relative. Note: Reference forms are electronically submitted to Laurier by the referee and do not need to be uploaded.
NOTE: Casper tests are no longer required to apply to Luther programs.
Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential to graduate studies at Laurier. Applicants whose language of instruction during their previous postsecondary education was not in English must submit evidence of proficiency in English. If applicable, results from accepted testing services must be uploaded to LORIS.
- ordained minister/pastor
- chaplain
- religious educator
- social service worker
- registered social worker (MDiv-MSW graduates)