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Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) has launched a Faith and Justice Concentration in its Master of Divinity degree. The new offering enables students to pursue a pathway that focuses on formation for transformative engagement in the public square.
The concentration prepares Christian leaders to engage their communities faithfully and effectively in the pursuit of justice. The required courses equip students with concrete skills in advocacy, activism, and community organizing, while electives enable students to situate those skills in the broader Christian traditions of theological thought and social action.
Required courses include Foundations in Christian Leadership, and Politics and Christian Ethics, while electives cover areas such as Biblical Prophecy, Environmental Ethics, Resistant Theologies, and Preaching Politics. Students will also have the opportunity to engage with political leaders and take part in political action during a week-long residency at the seat of Virginia’s government. In addition, they can travel to Puerto Rico as part of one of the Seminary’s Cross-Cultural Education Programs.
The new offering follows the launch of the Saint Nicholas Center for Faith and Justice at VTS in September 2025. Led by Kyle Lambelet, Ph.D., the Center works with VTS students to develop their capacity for social and political engagement, enabling them to be effective advocates for justice in the way of Jesus.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D., dean and president of VTS, said: “The Church needs leaders who can bring faith, wisdom, and courage to the challenges of our time. This new concentration helps form students who are deeply rooted in the Christian tradition and prepared to work for justice in their communities.”
VTS now offers four distinct Master of Divinity concentrations, with other concentrations including New Mission Practices, Christian Spirituality, and Intercultural Ministry.
All full-time residential students pursuing a Master’s-level program at VTS receive a full scholarship package, covering their tuition, housing, and meal plans. Full-time commuter students are eligible for scholarship packages covering their tuition, and the Seminary also offers a tuition subsidy for part-time commuter students.
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