Study in Michigan at Our Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

Grand Rapids Is Our Home

Calvin Theological Seminary is rooted in Grand Rapids, a vibrant city in West Michigan. 

In 1876, the institution that would become Calvin Theological Seminary began in a small building on Spring Street as De Theologische School (The Theological School), educating pastors who immigrated from the Netherlands.

Through multiple locations and expansions of the school, Calvin Theological Seminary and Calvin University became separate institutions, both sharing denominational affiliation in the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), and a beautiful, joint campus at the corner of Burton Street and the East Beltline. 

The seminary’s newly remodeled campus (2022) serves as the home base for the in-person, online, and hybrid theological learning happening in Grand Rapids and around the globe. 

Why Study at a Grand Rapids Theological Seminary?

At Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, you will experience a theological seminary that brings the world to campus, while offering ministry connections across the city and region. Meet faculty and classmates from around the globe, while living out your calling through hands-on learning at partner sites around the local area.

Study in the Home of the CRCNA

Grand Rapids is home for the U.S. side of the denominational headquarters of the U.S.- and Canadian-based CRCNA. Like our northern headquarters’ location in Burlington, Ontario, the city of Grand Rapids also offers rich connections within the denomination and with other Christian traditions. Studying in Grand Rapids offers countless opportunities for hands-on learning in a variety of ministries, nonprofits, and congregations, including those in the Reformed tradition. 

Enjoy State-of-the-Art Campus Amenities

Calvin Theological Seminary shares a campus with Calvin University. Our shared campus features world-class resources like the Hekman Library, the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex, the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens, and more.

Live Near the Beautiful Great Lakes

Based on the southeast side of Grand Rapids, Calvin Theological Seminary is only 40 miles from the pristine beaches of Lake Michigan. As the only state to have direct access to four Great Lakes, there are plenty of weekend and day trip opportunities to explore the rocky and sandy shores. 

Enjoy City Life and Small-Town Charm

Grand Rapids combines the best of a bustling urban life with the charm of a tight-knit community. You’ll always find something to do in our dynamic downtown, and you’re just moments away from neighborhoods with small businesses for shopping and dining. Also enjoy the small towns, parks, and hiking trails around Kent County and beyond. 

Celebrate Life in a Diverse Community

Our students form a diverse and intentional community as they prepare for a life of ministry. Students from more than 20 countries study together on campus and online. 

Join a Community of Faith
You are warmly welcomed to gather in community to worship, learn, and grow at chapel.  Each Wednesday and Friday the seminary community holds a student- and faculty-led worship service in our on-campus chapel. 

Stay Connected
Grand Rapids is conveniently located in the Midwest, hours from both Chicago and Detroit. Grand Rapids is home to Gerald R. Ford International Airport, located about 10 minutes from campus, making travel easy for seminarians.

Make a Home Here

Here at Calvin Theological Seminary, you can grow in ministry connections throughout Grand Rapids, which was named among the top 20 places to live by U.S. News & World Report. West Michigan features a variety of church congregations in the CRCNA and other denominations. Here you can experience sporting events, cultural and arts festivals, parks and trails, convenient access to beaches, family and children’s events, and more. 

Grand Rapids Seminary Housing

Experience convenient housing in Grand Rapids at below-market rates. We offer optional apartment communities on and nearby campus for all students. If you qualify, you will also benefit from our food pantry and clothing closet—open weekly—to help meet the needs of students and families. 

Campus Community

Students, faculty, and staff connect through regular events such as potlucks, donut breaks, sports leagues, and book clubs. 

One of the Premier Seminaries in Michigan

Calvin has a reputation for being an academically excellent seminary in North America. Imagine yourself here as you consider the benefits of choosing Calvin Theological Seminary:

  • World-class faculty teaching and mentorship
  • Dedicated staff to support your financial aid, student life, and spiritual formation
  • Financial aid, including discounted tuition for every student
  • Seminary-based centers and institutes to bring connections in global scholarship

Make a Local Impact

Calvin Theological Seminary is home to a variety of center and institutes, including:

Participate in international scholarship and collegiality in the Reformed catholic tradition of Herman Bavinck (1854–1921), the Dutch theologian and author of the four-volume Reformed Dogmatics; his nephew, Johan Herman Bavinck (1895–1964), missionary to Indonesia and pioneer Reformed missiologist; and his neo-Calvinist contemporaries such as Abraham Kuyper, Willem Geesink, and B. B. Warfield.

Discover an interdisciplinary hub focused on the theology, history, and practice of Christian worship. This institute is committed to the renewal of worship in faith communities across North America and beyond.

Be inspired by resources designed to help pastors write fresh, vibrant sermons. This center sparks ideas and jumpstarts creativity for preachers who have the holy, but also daunting privilege of preaching God’s Word to God’s people.

Get a firsthand look at a collection of materials on John Calvin, Calvinism, and the Reformation. Established in 1982, the Meeter Center makes scholarly research on Calvinism available to scholars and the wider community, as its extensive collection of books, rare books, and articles attract researchers from all over the world.

The Institute for Mission, Church and Culture

Engage actionable theology and resources for congregations and Christian leaders seeking to faithfully participate in God’s mission in the world. This institute aims to cultivate the priesthood of all believers, while planting and renewing congregations.

Our Grand Rapids Seminary Programs

Choose your program from Calvin Theological Seminary’s variety of available degrees and certificates:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
  • Master of Divinity (MDiv)
  • Master of Arts in Christian Leadership
  • Master of Arts in Bible and Theology
  • Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
  • Master of Theology (ThM)
  • Certificate in Christian Leadership

We also offer programs in Spanish programas en Español (programs in Spanish), including:

  • Certificado en Cuidado de la Familia
  • Maestría en Cuidado de la Familia

Start Your Seminary Journey in Grand Rapids

Study at West Michigan’s home for theology, Calvin Theological Seminary. Start your journey by requesting more information:

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Learn More About Our Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

If you are interested in studying at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, or online, use these quick links to learn more about becoming a student: