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.
All course work in the MDiv will flow from BST’s four thematic concentrations:
Creative Church & Community
Spirituality & Resilience
Justice & Reconciliation
BorderCrossing & BridgeBuilding
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.
42 Units of Core Coursework
in Biblical Studies, Theology, History, Ethics, Leadership, Preaching, and Pastoral Arts.
21 Units of Customizable Elective Coursework
with chosen emphasis in one of the four thematic concentrations.
Three Units of Capstone Project
a culminating academic and practical experience in student’s chosen concentration.
Six Unit One-Year Internship
one-year internship in ministry setting of student’s choice.
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).
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.
Onsite, Online, or Remote
courses taught onsite, online and through remote formats.
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.
Ready to Get Started?
Get more information by submitting our Request Information Form.
Begin your application with our Master of Divinity Form.
For questions, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@bst.edu or (510) 841-1905 ext 229.