Wheaton College will enroll its first Master of Divinity students next fall, adding a flagship pastoral degree to the school's graduate offerings.
The A. Duane Litfin Divinity School received approval from the Higher Learning Commission and is now accepting applications for the inaugural fall 2027 cohort, the college announced in September.
The 90-credit program combines Scripture and theology coursework with biblical languages, preaching, pastoral care, spiritual formation and mentored ministry experience. Students can choose between two tracks: a full residential option on the Wheaton campus or a hybrid format that requires only one week on campus per semester.
"Pastors today need more than ministry skills," said Dr. Marc Cortez, dean of the Litfin Divinity School. "They need deep theological conviction, biblical wisdom, spiritual maturity, and the ability to lead faithfully in a rapidly changing culture."
Wheaton College President Philip Ryken called the degree "built on Wheaton's enduring commitments to evangelical orthodoxy and liberal arts excellence." He said the college is "thrilled to offer world-class theological education that meets the church's urgent need for well-trained pastors."
The M.Div. is the latest step in a broader expansion. The college restructured its graduate programs to create the Litfin Divinity School, merging its biblical and theological studies programs with its ministry, leadership and evangelism programs. The divinity school already serves students from more than 40 countries, according to the college.
New endowed chair filled
The divinity school also announced that Dr. Stephen Pardue will join the faculty on July 1, 2027, as the Gunther H. Knoedler Chair in Theology. Pardue returns to Wheaton after nearly 15 years of teaching and leadership in theological education in the Philippines, according to the college.
Pardue earned his Ph.D. in systematic theology from Wheaton in 2012. Since then he has served on the theology faculty of the Asia Graduate School of Theology and International Graduate School of Leadership, where he directs the Th.M./Ph.D. program in theological studies. He also founded the Center for Theological Inquiry in Asia.
The chair was previously held by Dr. Daniel J. Treier until his passing in December 2025.
"It is an honor to be joining a team of exceptional colleagues at the Litfin Divinity School," Pardue said. "I'm especially eager to help Wheaton strengthen and expand its partnerships with churches and institutions in the Majority World."
What prospective students should know
The college has not published tuition or application deadline details for the M.Div. program. International students cannot yet apply; the college said it is awaiting U.S. government approval to admit international students and will post updates on its program page.
Information sessions for the fall 2027 cohort were expected to begin in fall 2026, according to the September announcement.
