The Master of Divinity program equips you to be effective pastoral leaders—to serve Christ and the church faithfully and competently. This program is offered in collaboration with McGill University, a foremost North American University. Also, in collaboration with the Montreal School of Theology, a historic ecumenical community of study within Quebec and Canada.
Pursue your Master of Divinity within the worshipping community of The Presbyterian College. Be transformed through studies and friendship.
Program Snapshot – Master of Divinity
Integration and Internships
Our MDiv program is unique in North America. It combines two years of academic study with one year of professional formation—an internship represents 40% of the final year of the program. Our goal is to form leaders whose mind and heart and work are all oriented to the service of others in the way of Christ. In years 1 and 2 you will focus on the study of theology, scripture, history, and cultural dimensions of Christian faith. In the 3rd and final year you will build competencies for missional leadership, the practice of preaching, pastoral care, and educational programming.
Academic life
Studying at The Presbyterian College means studying alongside students in other programs at the School of Religious Studies at McGill University. It is a rich opportunity to study alongside, and learn from, those of others’ faith traditions. Learning to articulate your Christian faith and hope through conversation with others. The program is intellectually stimulating. Professors are of the highest caliber, seeking the best for students both intellectually and in their formation for ministry.
A Worshipping and Praying Community
Theological study is about meaningfully intellectual engagement. But growth within our spiritual lives is also vital to our formation for ministry. Joining The Presbyterian College means being part of a warm community that prays together, offers praise together, and shares in meals together. Be transformed and equipped through study and praise and prayer and celebration together as the Body of Christ.
Intercultural Encounter
The third year of the program includes a one-week study tour in Cuba. This trip engages you meaningfully with the culture, history, and life of the church in Cuba. This experience will help you understand that ministry and mission are always shaped by particular languages, cultures, and histories. Our program is also developing a meaningful component oriented toward dialogue with Indigenous communities in Canada.
Length of Program and Residency
The Master of Divinity at The Presbyterian College is a 3-year, 90-credit program. The first two years of the program are residential in Montreal. The final year can be completed at a distance (with 6 residential weeks over the year)—your internship in the final year could be in Toronto or Winnipeg or Halifax or Boston. Synchronous components of the final-year (the online classroom) make use of the Zoom platform, and a-synchronous components are through a new Populi learning management system.
For more information, and to receive a copy of our reflections on Life and Leadership, complete this form:
Transfer Credit
If you have already completed some part of your theological studies in a public university or an accredited seminary, you may transfer up to 36 credits (12 courses) toward your program at The Presbyterian College—these transfer credits are reviewed and confirmed at the time of your application.
Dual Application
As a combined program of McGill University and The Presbyterian College, there are two applications to complete—one application to the College (Master of Divinity program) and one application to the University (registering in the BTh program of that institution for the purposes of the MDiv). Of course, we are available to support you in this application process and answer any questions you might have.
MDiv with Specialization in Congregational Renewal or New Church Development
This new program is being developed for Master of Divinity students who feel called to either congregational renewal or the development of new faith communities.
As well as completing the core Master of Divinity program, students participate in two three-month placements in either new church development or in a congregation working through renewal.
Placements take place from May to July over two summers.
Students also carry out additional readings, participate in classes/workshops, and provide a written summary of their learnings to their peers, ensuring that all participants can learn from each other’s experiences.
A bursary, as specified by the Presbyterian Church of Canada, is available to eligible students.