Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring, Summer
On-Campus, Online
Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring, Summer
On-Campus, Online
Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring, Summer
On-Campus, Online
About the Master of Divinity at Loyola
Empowering individuals and communities by articulating experiences in religious language, discerning the presence of the divine in others' experiences, and guiding them on their spiritual journey is one of life's most powerful callings.
The Master of Divinity (MDiv) program offered through Loyola's Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS) is designed to meet the academic, formational, and professional needs of those called to ministerial leadership.
The program will prepare you as a ministry generalist grounded in the Christian faith tradition and possessing the interpersonal and spiritual skills to empower others. The MDiv also offers individualized focus options for specialization in particular settings.
Program Structure
The Master of Divinity is a 72-credit-hour, 24-course program that emphasizes academic coursework, pastoral formation, and ministerial leadership skills.
The curriculum builds upon Loyola's Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies degree program, and offers three tracks: an MDiv generalist track, a Spiritual Direction Concentration, and a Chaplaincy Concentration.
The general MDiv curriculum is designed to prepare you for a career in pastoral ministry, and help you in discerning your gifts for a life of religious leadership in an evolving church and society.
Learn MoreThe Spiritual Direction Concentration offers an opportunity to focus your formation on acquiring the theoretical and practical skills to provide direction and guidance in companionship with others on their spiritual development and relationship with God.
Learn MoreThe Chaplaincy Concentration is designed to prepare you for the process of being certified as a Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains or The National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
Learn MoreThe MDiv can be pursued full-time or part-time. Full-time students take three-four years to complete the program; part-time students typically complete their degree within five-six years. Classes are held weekday evenings at Loyola's Water Tower Campus, conveniently located off the Red Line in the heart of Chicago. Courses are also offered online or through a combination of both on-campus and online study.
Why Choose Loyola for Your Master of Divinity?
- An Ignatian perspective and mission that will set you apart
- A convenient and flexible model of delivery
- An uncommonly close community of teachers and learners
- An abundance of hands-on, contextual learning opportunities
- A versatile program with distinct areas of concentration
- A well-established tradition and legacy
As an MDiv student at Loyola's IPS, you will pursue your education and training through the principles of Ignatian spirituality and a social justice mission, setting you apart in your work and ministry.
The program can be completed entirely online, entirely on campus or through a combination of the two, providing you with a range of choices to ensure your graduate experience enables you to balance your academic, professional, and family obligations.
Each year, we hear from students and alums of the MDiv program that one of its greatest strengths is the sense of community and close personal and professional bonds formed in our community.
Students in the MDiv program complete 500 hours of on-site contextual education over the course of two academic years, working at self-selected sites based on their interests in the Chicago area or their local community.
With a generalized MDiv track, as well as concentrations in Chaplaincy and Spiritual Direction, you'll be able to personalize your studies and align your graduate experience and future path with your specific career interests.
Founded in 1964, Loyola's IPS has set itself apart on the landscape of higher education as one of the first and most respected academic pastoral institutes of its kind.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the Institute of Pastoral Studies faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Divinity MDiv program.
Faculty and StaffMaster of Divinity: Career Connections
Graduates of the MDiv program are prepared for servant leadership and ministerial roles in a wide range of professional and community settings. Some of these roles include parish/congregation leadership, diocesan administration, hospital chaplaincy, and campus ministry.
You may also find ministry opportunities in organizations dealing with religious communications, peace and justice advocacy, parochial school administration, spirituality centers, legal advocacy, industrial chaplaincy, social work, and nursing and counseling settings that invite a pastoral or spiritual perspective.
Specific job options include:
- Chaplain
- Youth minister
- Pastoral associate
- Campus minister
- Director of religious education
- Teacher
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Divinity MDiv program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Divinity MDiv learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogMaster of Divinity Results and Skills
After successfully completing the MDiv program, you will be able to demonstrate the skills to:
- Interpret pastoral circumstances in relation to scripture, tradition, and human sciences
- Engage, transform, and/or critique social, economic, political, and ecclesial realities of our day in order to address the changing landscape of ministry
- Engage the relevant dimensions of Christian faith, discipleship, and ministry with interpersonal, spiritual, and ecclesial maturity
- Understand, empathize, and be present for the varied conditions of individuals and communities, while discerning and describing the ministry required for each
- Construct a ministerial vision and formulate ministerial strategies capable of effecting personal and community transformation
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
| Program | Credit Hours | Cost Per Credit Hour | Estimated Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divinity MDiv | 72 | $850.00 | $61200.00 |
| Divinity MDiv: Chaplaincy | 72 | $850.00 | $61200.00 |
| Divinity MDiv: Spiritual Direction | 72 | $850.00 | $61200.00 |
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
Institute of Pastoral Studies Financial Aid & Scholarships
More information about financial aid opportunities can be found on the Institute of Pastoral Studies Financial Aid page.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe Institute of Pastoral Studies offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
This program has multiple versions you can apply to. Find specific information about the application process for each program below.
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Divinity MDiv are listed below:
Fall, Spring, & Summer
Rolling admission
Recommended Deadlines
Fall: July 15
Spring: December 10
Summer: April 15
Final admission is 10 days before the start of classes
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Divinity MDiv include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
2 Letters of Recommendation
3.0 Minimum GPA
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose Details
Please submit a 1,500-word essay describing your personal, educational, professional, and ministerial background and how these have prepared you for the specific MA or Certificate program for which you have applied. In your essay, also address the following:
Prior undergraduate or graduate study in theology or philosophy, if any
The ways in which your professional life and any volunteer service have emphasized spiritually, community and social justice
A theological book(s) that has helped to shape your understanding of your proposed vocation and course of study
Your vision of ministry, your strengths relative to this vocation, significant influences on your faith life (including minsterial mentors or role models), and the professional context in which you see yourself working upon completion of your program
Why you are choosing to pursue this degree at Loyola's IPS
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Divinity MDiv: Chaplaincy are listed below:
Fall, Spring, & Summer
Rolling admission
Recommended Deadlines
Fall: July 15
Spring: December 10
Summer: April 15
Final admission is 10 days before the start of classes
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Divinity MDiv: Chaplaincy include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
2 Letters of Recommendation
3.0 Minimum GPA
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose Details
Please submit a 1,500-word essay describing your personal, educational, professional, and ministerial background and how these have prepared you for the specific MA or Certificate program for which you have applied. In your essay, also address the following:
Prior undergraduate or graduate study in theology or philosophy, if any
The ways in which your professional life and any volunteer service have emphasized spiritually, community and social justice
A theological book(s) that has helped to shape your understanding of your proposed vocation and course of study
Your vision of ministry, your strengths relative to this vocation, significant influences on your faith life (including minsterial mentors or role models), and the professional context in which you see yourself working upon completion of your program
Why you are choosing to pursue this degree at Loyola's IPS
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Divinity MDiv: Spiritual Direction are listed below:
Fall, Spring, & Summer
Rolling admission
Recommended Deadlines
Fall: July 15
Spring: December 10
Summer: April 15
Final admission is 10 days before the start of classes
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Divinity MDiv: Spiritual Direction include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
2 Letters of Recommendation
3.0 Minimum GPA
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose Details
Please submit a 1,500-word essay describing your personal, educational, professional, and ministerial background and how these have prepared you for the specific MA or Certificate program for which you have applied. In your essay, also address the following:
Prior undergraduate or graduate study in theology or philosophy, if any
The ways in which your professional life and any volunteer service have emphasized spiritually, community and social justice
A theological book(s) that has helped to shape your understanding of your proposed vocation and course of study
Your vision of ministry, your strengths relative to this vocation, significant influences on your faith life (including minsterial mentors or role models), and the professional context in which you see yourself working upon completion of your program
Why you are choosing to pursue this degree at Loyola's IPS
Official Documents
Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Divinity MDiv program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
APPLY TODAYRelated Programs
Masters | Part-Time or Full-Time | On-Campus, Online | Fall, Spring, Summer
This program offers a broad preparation for ministerial service and the tools necessary to engage critically and constructively in the challenges and opportunities of our contemporary lives. It guides you in the development of your own pastoral identity through an integrated exploration of theology and pastoral practice and prepares you for ministerial service in a variety of contexts.
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