Master of Divinity - United Methodist

United Methodists who want to prepare for licensing can earn a Master of Divinity degree from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary through an partnership with Garret-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago.

This partnership, endorsed by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church, combines the strengths of both seminaries in preparing students to lead congregations and serve God’s people.

Plan of Study

United Methodist students follow an AMBS program of study that includes five courses from Garrett-Evangelical. These courses constitute a United Methodist Certificate and focus on mission, evangelism, worship and United Methodist history and theology. They make up 15 of the 90 required hours for the AMBS MDiv.

Garrett-Evangelical courses are frequently taught online or as intensives in January or summer. If a group of students at AMBS wishes to take a Garrett-Evangelical course together, a Garrett-Evangelical professor may teach the course in Elkhart.

Please review the UM MDiv plan of study for full details.

How to begin

Complete the AMBS application process (see link below). Your adviser will be Rebecca Slough, AMBS dean. She and the AMBS registrar, Scott Janzen, will guide you through the program of study. When you wish to take one of the Garrett-Evangelical courses, meet with the AMBS registrar. He will help you register as a guest student at Garrett-Evangelical and further communication about the course will come from the registrar there.

Important links

AMBS admission application
AMBS financial aid application
AMBS catalog
AMBS courses

G-ETS web page for AMBS students taking United Methodist courses
GETS Guest student registration form
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary website
Vince McGlothin-Eller, Garrett-Evangelical registrar, 847.866.3907
Garrett-Evangelical courses
Garrett-Evangelical academic calendar (Resources tab)

I started AMBS in 2000 at age 35 as a second career vocational call to become a pastor. I chose AMBS for several reasons:  One was location (about 4 miles from my house at the time) and for the fact that is was approved by the United Methodist Church. Another reason was the generous financial support I received while there. A definite blessing. My time at AMBS was a time of great learning, stretching and joy, all encouraged and nurtured by a dedicated teaching staff. The course work and fellowship were very formative.  Without AMBS I would not be a pastor today. I am currently the pastor at Bethel UMC in Elkhart. I am also half-way done with a Masters in Counseling at IUSB and a counselor in training under supervision in South Bend.

 - Catherine Koziatek, MDiv 2004