I respect Fred's opinion but don't agree with it entirely. The MDiv is intended to send men into pastoral ministry but some men take a more indirect route. Some go on to do more grad work before entering the pastorate. We are blessed to have two seminary-trained men in our congregation and they have been a genuine blessing. Sometimes men take the MDiv and discover that they should not be in pastoral ministry.
FWIW, even though WSC majors in training pastors (abotu 70% of our students) the sem has a strong track record in sending students to top flight PhD programs. One of our current students was just accepted at Oxford (that makes about 5-6 in recent years). We've about 46 grads with PhDs. We have several more in PhD programs right now.
Students who want to earn a non-ministerial degree should take an MA. We offer three: MA (Historical Theology), MA (Biblical Studies), and MA (Theological Studies).
For more information contact Christa Haeck at
Westminster Seminary California admissions
For more on the MDiv program:
Westminster Seminary California academics
More more information on the MA (HT) program:
Westminster Seminary California clark Westminster Seminary California academics
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R. Scott Clark, D.Phil
Associate Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology
"For Christ, His Gospel, and His Church"
Associate Pastor
Oceanside URC The Heidelblog