Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Distinguished History, Bright Future

While this seminary was founded in 1853 and has a rich and distinguished history, Garrett-Evangelical embraces the future, knowing our best years are ahead.

Diverse & Ecumenical

A graduate school of theology of The United Methodist Church, Garrett-Evangelical is intentional and proactive about preserving and promoting our long-standing racial, ethnic, and international diversity. We are also deliberate about fostering an atmosphere of ecumenical interaction. Our seminary serves more than 400 students from many denominations and cultural backgrounds.

Rigorous Academics Prepare You for Many Careers

Through a rigorous academic program anchored by an outstanding faculty, Garrett-Evangelical creates bold leaders for the important work of pastoring, youth ministry, social work and teaching. We offer a Master of Divinity, our signature degree; Master of Arts -- in Christian Education, Music Ministry, Pastoral Care & Counseling, and Spiritual Formation & Evangelism; Master of Theological Studies; Doctor of Philosophy; and Doctor of Ministry.

Garrett-Evangelical shares The United Library with Seabury-Western Theological Seminary (Episcopalian). The seminaries are directly across Sheridan Road from each other, and each school houses a portion of the library's extensive collection. The United Library was established in 1981 when the two seminaries chose to merge their collections and all library services found on both campuses. The library focuses on getting all new volumes about religion published each year - and has for decades - which means you will find virtually every publication in whatever field you are researching.

Northwestern University & Lake Michigan

Our campus sits at the heart of one of the nation's most prestigious universities, Northwestern, which offers many benefits for our students. Occupying more than a mile of Lake Michigan coastline in a Big Ten university college town teaming with opportunity, this is an exceptional -- and beautiful -- setting for your graduate studies.

Chicagoland: A Tremendous Asset

We also consider Chicago a tremendous asset for our students. Evanston, our hometown, borders the North Side of Chicago. Garrett-Evangelical is intimately connected with Chicago, and students take advantage of the abundant opportunities offered by the world-class city looming just south of the campus.

Through ACTS (Association of Chicago Theological Schools), students can take classes for Garrett-Evangelical credit at 12 Chicagoland seminaries. ACTS was formed in 1984 by theological schools located in the Chicago area to provide means of cooperation among the member institutions in the areas of student cross-registration, library access and acquisitions, interchange among faculty members in the disciplines of theological education, and communications among the schools.

In collaboration with Chicago-based SCUPE (Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education, Garrett-Evangelical students can earn an Urban Ministry Concentration with the M.A. or M.Div. degree.

Students can choose from a wide range of urban, suburban and even rural sites for field education, go to the Oprah Winfrey Show, take in a play in the Chicago theater district, ride the El seven miles to Wrigley Field and enjoy a Chicago-style hotdog at a Cubs game, enjoy an afternoon at one of Chicago's many sandy beaches, bicycle on lakefront trails and take sailing lessons on Lake Michigan through the seminary's connection with Northwestern University.

Extraordinary Field Education

Garrett-Evangelical's Field Education is extraordinary, in part, due to our location in the Chicago Metro. We offer a broad range of rich, meaningful, formative experiences in urban, suburban and rural settings.

M DIV Plus Pledge to You

If you enroll in the Master of Divinity program at Garrett-Evangelical, the seminary pledges to stay with you for three years after you graduate to help you along your path of professional formation -- to help you become a bold leader for the church and the world.

M DIV Plus is our new program which provides you with a post-graduate, individually crafted executive education that will help with your transition into professional life.

The most difficult time for any pastor is the first three years after seminary graduation. There's still so much to learn -- so many skills to refine: leadership, administration, preaching, teaching, counseling and theology, to name a few.

During these three years as you step boldly into your career and toward ordination, we will be there for you -- that is, if you want us to be. The program is available, not required. Whether you participate in M DIV Plus is entirely up to you.

Among its many offerings, the program features:

• Nonprofit Management Certification... in collaboration with Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Business
• Clergy Companionship Coaching... in collaboration with Samaritan Interfaith. 
• On The Move Courses and Intensive Retreats... around issues crucial to your career.

Alum Connections

Garrett-Evangelicals 4,500 living alums serve churches, colleges, universities and seminaries and communities in broad range of ministries around the world.