All applicants to the Master of Divinity program must have earned a baccalaureate degree from a member institution of the Association of Universities and Colleges or an institution accredited by a United States agency recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation and possess at least a 2.80 GPA on a 4.00 point scale. A well-rounded liberal arts degree is the best preparation for the MDiv degree program. Applicants with a GPA that falls below the 2.80 minimum are still welcome to apply and may be admitted on academic probation.
Prior coursework in religious studies, while not required, is certainly appropriate preparation. Applicants should show evidence of personal integrity, spiritual and emotional maturity, qualities associated with effective leadership, strong communication skills, creativity and personal initiative, and intellectual discernment. As a University-based graduate school, the School of Divinity seeks students who will constructively engage the diversity of the University with openness to learning from persons of other religious traditions and from those who hold divergent values and commitments.
Applicants are selected on the basis of academic potential for graduate-level work, genuine promise for ministry, a clearly articulated commitment to Christian vocation, and evidence that the applicant will benefit from as well as enhance theological education at Wake Forest University. Graduate theological education and vocational formation require a substantial commitment of one’s time and energy. The MDiv program is designed with the assumption that students will be enrolled full-time. Individuals interested in limited enrollment should consult with the Office of Admissions before applying to the program.