NWC partners with Western Theological Seminary for streamlined pathway to M.Div. degree

Northwestern College is partnering with Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, to enable theology students to complete their Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in as little as two years. The new advanced degree partnership program will reduce the cost for students to earn an M.Div. and prepare them to begin their ministry quicker.

“This is a win-win for our biblical and theological studies majors, allowing them to enter directly into a faster track for completing their seminary training,” says Dr. John Vonder Bruegge, Northwestern’s dean of arts and humanities and professor of biblical and theological studies (BTS). “It also validates our own program. This agreement isn’t just based on a rudimentary review of our coursework; it stems from our long history sending outstanding students to Western. They know our students come prepared, ready to hit the ground running when they start seminary.”

The accelerated degree partnership counts some of students’ undergraduate coursework in Northwestern’s biblical and theological studies major toward their Western graduate degree, enabling them to complete a bachelor’s degree and M.Div. in six years, instead of seven or more. The program also emphasizes guided development so students receive support and encouragement as they discern God’s calling. Students can apply to the program anytime in their first three years at Northwestern.

“We are thrilled to further solidify our connection to Western Theological Seminary,” says Dr. Michael Andres, professor of theology and chair of Northwestern’s biblical and theological studies department. “Not only have we had a century-long rich and fruitful relationship between Northwestern and Western through our mutual bond in the Reformed Church in America, but over the years we have had many Northwestern students thrive at Western. Often we would have alumni tell us they felt so well prepared their first year because of their BTS degree at NWC. Now our students will get credit for the learning and hard work in our undergraduate program—and receive a two-year pathway to graduation from Western.”

“The church is longing for theologically thoughtful, emotionally attuned spiritual leaders, and Northwestern College and Western Theological Seminary are well suited to partner in forming such people,” says the Rev. Dr. Katlyn DeVries, a 2011 Northwestern graduate who directs the accelerated M.Div partnerships at Western. “I look forward to walking alongside these ministry-minded students as they take the next step in their education.”

For more information about the accelerated B.A./M.Div. program, visit westernsem.edu/programs/northwestern-college-accelerated-degree-program.