Master of Divinity Degree

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Degree Description

The Master of Divinity is a professional degree designed to help men and women preparing for Christian ministry. This degree is required for ordination by many denominations. The degree can be completed in three years of full-time study.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum for the M.Div. was completely revised during the 2006-2007 academic year by the Faculty. The redesign reflects the four primary goals of the faculty for this degree.

• Students will learn to think critically and creatively about the Christian faith.
• Students will gain the skills and knowledge in the fields of theology, church history, ethics, and Biblical studies that are needed for effective leadership in the Christian community.
• Students will gain specific pastoral and leadership skills appropriate to ordained ministry, including teaching, preaching, and pastoral care.
• Students will learn to appropriate the Gospel for their varying contexts.

Foundations for Ministry (6 hours)

FM 570 Introduction to Theological Studies 1
FM 775 Senior Symposium 2
   1 Must be taken in 1st two semesters.
   2 Cannot be taken until last spring semester

AREA 1
Bible    (12 hours)

B 571 Introduction to First Testament (FT)
B 572 Introduction to New Testament (NT)
BE or BHE 67x FT Exegesis ____________
BE or BGE 67x NT Exegesis____________

AREA 2
Theology & History    (15 hours)
CH 570 Survey of Church History 3
TH 570 Historical Theology 3
TH 575 Systematic Theology 4
CH 67x Elective __________ 5
TH 67x Elective __________
   3 Must be taken in the first 27 hours of study
   4 Prerequisite: TH 570
   5 Denominational history or history courses can be used for this requirement.

AREA 3
Ethics & Culture    (9 hours)
ES 570 Intro to Christian Social Ethics
CUL 570 Survey of World Religions
ES or CUL 67x Elective _________

AREA 4
Practice of Ministry    (24 hours)

PLFE 570 Pastoral Leadership / FE 6
EM 570 Educational Ministry in the Congregation
PC 570 Principles of Pastoral Care & Counseling
WOR 570 Introduction to Worship 7
WOR 575 Introduction to Preaching 8
PLFE 670 Social Ministry Leadership
PL or EM 67x Elective __________ 9
PC or WOR 67x Elective __________
   6 Prerequisite: 18 hours
   7 Prerequisite: CH 570, TH 570
   8 Prerequisites: CH 570
   9 Polity course can be used to fulfill this requirement

700 Seminar Electives    (15 hours) 10

7xx _____________________ 11
7xx _____________________ 12
7xx _____________________
7xx _____________________
7xx _____________________

   10 Prerequisites: two 600 level courses
   11 This must be an Immersion Course
   12 Biblical Languages courses can be substituted for two of these electives but must be followed by an exegesis course in that language to receive credit.

Total Required = 81 semester hours