Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Program
Come nurture your calling at Northeastern Seminary to pastor disciples of Christ. Our Master of Divinity offered online and in Rochester NY, helps you grow as a faithful interpreter of God’s Word, a pastoral leader who empowers God’s people toward active participation in God’s mission, and a gracious participant in a diverse Christian community.
ROCHESTER AND ONLINE
CUSTOMIZE YOUR PROGRAM
become a missional pastor and faithful teacher with a customized area of focused competency
Typically completed in 3 years, the M.Div. program will channel this calling into practical ministry tools, leadership experiences, and spiritual growth, transforming you into a dynamic church leader. Our Master of Divinity degree, both online and on-campus, is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.
Amplify Your Calling With A Pastoral Degree
Over the 80-credit M.Div. program, students will develop a deeper understanding of the Bible, and build an aptitude for shaping healthy worship communities. If you are called to become ordained and undertake professional ministry as a vocation, the Master of Divinity degree is the most common credential required as part of that professional process.
Alongside the Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Interpretation sections of the curriculum, our seminary-wide course sequence The Great Conversation explores the voices of Christian history and develops your sense of Christian spirituality. Divinity students also have the opportunity to customize their pastoral degree to explore an aspect of ministry. Elective competencies include:
- Certificate of Chaplaincy-provides required Clinical Pastoral Education
- Christian Spiritual Formation-explores Christian faith and spirituality
- Transformational Leadership-examines Biblical leadership and organizational change
- Theology and Social Justice-focus on community advocacy
- Advanced Biblical Studies-offers further theological context and training
- Denominational Studies-parallels the required coursework for ordination in the Free Methodist, Nazarene, United Methodist, and Wesleyan traditions
Our Master of Divinity program works to provide a theological education that is also grounded in the practical realities of professional ministry. We offer our students contextual experiences in a ministry setting relevant to their vocational goals and a program capstone focused on ministry placement.
Specialize Your Master of Divinity
Within the Master of Divinity curriculum is the opportunity for you to add an elective competency designed to meet the needs of your ministry context.
Advanced Biblical Studies
Chaplaincy
Christian Spiritual Formation
Theology & Social Justice
Transformational Leadership
Denominational Studies
Upcoming Class Starts
- Monday, May 24, 2021 | Summer Session
- Monday, August 30, 2021 | Fall Session
- Monday, January 24, 2022 | Spring Session
Class Size
Under 25 Students
Meet a Faculty Member

Fred Johnson, Sr., D.Min.
Director of Field Education and Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry
Rev. Dr. Fredrick Johnson, Sr., serves as senior pastor at First Genesis Baptist Church in Rochester, NY. Under his pastoral leadership, the First Genesis Baptist Church has experienced membership and spiritual growth. Read more...
Alumni Success
Alma McKee '13
Chaplain Resident, Strong Memorial Hospital
Kayleigh Schumske '16
Family Life Pastor, Pearce Memorial Church
Angel Lebron '17
Senior Pastor, Overflow Christian Ministries
Tunya Griffin '12
Pastor, Community Organizer, and Women's Empowerment Activist
Doug Milne '10
Lead Pastor, Grace Church of the Nazarene
Marlena Graves
Writer, Activist, Adjunct Professor, Winebrenner Seminary
Wanda Wilson
Executive Director, Open Arms Christian Fellowship Ministries
Jeff Cappello
Co-Pastor, Nash Road Free Methodist Church
Margaret Cappello
Co-Pastor, Nash Road Free Methodist Church
“Northeastern Seminary provides a resource for pastors who are trying to minister and fill the social and economic voids of their community. This program challenges the church to be the body of Christ. To serve those who are struggling financially, the families that are split, the homeless youth, the drug addicted, and to respond to issues that go beyond knowing how to preach a sermon.” ~Kayleigh Schumske, M.Div. ’16
Why Northeastern Seminary?
At Northeastern Seminary, our Master of Divinity degree can be molded to your aspirations as a pastor and Christian leader. With a stackable curriculum that is also offered online, a variety of Master of Divinity students have found success at the Seminary, including part-time students and students connected with the military. Our range of elective competencies and our dual degree M.S.W/M.Div. program provides numerous opportunities to customize your pastoral degree to your vocational plans.
Throughout your M.Div. program, the greater Seminary community offers bolstering spiritual renewal, time and space to delve into deep questions, and a supportive cohort of peers. Our degree meticulously balances theological knowledge, pastoral ministry skills, and personal spiritual formation to comprehensively prepare you for the ordination process and a lifelong career in Christian ministry.
Tools for Success
You will find support to achieve your vocational and academic goals throughout your Seminary journey.
Learn More About Our Online M.Div. Program
Whether you join us in Rochester or online, the Master of Divinity degree at Northeastern Seminary offers a dynamic experience that will provide the practical tools and spiritual strength to lead Christian communities. Translate your calling to ministry into a pastoral degree that prepares you for professional ministry.
Request information below or contact admissions@nes.edu.
Speak With Our Team
Contact 585.594.6802 or admissions@nes.edu to connect with an admissions representative.