Residential Format
The Master of Divinity program at Meadville Lombard is designed to prepare students to enter the liberal ministry, primarily within Unitarian Universalism. The M. Div. degree requires 36 units of credit including at least 21 course credits (one credit per course). As many as 15 credits may be earned from field education.

Modified Residency Format
The Modified Residency Program (MRP) is designed for students who are unable, due to family or vocational commitments, to reside full-time in Chicago. MRP students spend four January "intensive" terms at Meadville Lombard, taking a minimum of twelve courses on campus. Completion of the four intensive terms fulfills the residency requirement of the M. Div. degree, as prescribed by our accrediting agency, The Association of Theological Schools.

Students may complete the balance of their course work online or at graduate seminaries near them, and work with Meadville Lombard faculty and field advisors throughout their course of study. This course of study allows students to learn in a UU environment and graduate from a UU institution rather than from schools rooted in other faith traditions.

After acceptance into the MRP, students must register during the July to October registration period for the January intensive courses and the annual January Convocation.  Reading and written work is prepared in advance, and usually a follow-up paper or project is due by the end of the winter quarter. The expectation is that students in this format will also enroll in graduate classes near where they live in order to fulfill all the area requirements for Meadville Lombard graduation.

A praxis component of field education is also expected in which students work in either paid or voluntary capacities in local congregations or community institutions. Such experience allows students to learn and grow toward an understanding of ministry in the liberal, diverse settings in which UU clergy serve.

The number of students accepted into the Master of Divinity modified residency program format is limited. While all applications are welcome, only the most highly qualified candidates will be admitted.