72 Credit Hours
The principle objective of the Master of Divinity program is to build on an existing undergraduate biblical and ministerial foundation to effectively prepare students for positions of ministerial leadership, particularly in the broad stream of evangelical ministry. Graduates from the Master of Divinity program must 1) demonstrate graduate-level knowledge in biblical, theological, and practical fields of study, 2) demonstrate character traits necessary for effective ministry, and 3) demonstrate skill in the praxis of ministry.
Learning Outcomes
Academic preparation, exemplary personal character, and the practice of ministry must be integrated in order to produce knowledgeable and skilled ministers. To this end, the School of Ministry is equally committed to providing:
- rigorous, high-quality academic preparation for ministry that strengthens the connection between fields of theological study;
- personal, purposeful spiritual formation and character development; and
- the opportunity for on-going, intentional practical application of academic knowledge in the praxis of ministry.
Educational Assessment
Students enrolled in the Master of Divinity program will be assessed each semester according to the general program learning outcomes. Both objective and subjective data will assist the School of Ministry in evaluating the M.Div. program. This evaluative process ensures the current quality of the program, and it assists the School of Ministry in on-going development and quality improvement.
Standards for Academic Progress
A student will be placed on Academic Probation at the end of a term if he/she does not meet the cumulative 2.5 GPA or if he/she is enrolled in but does not successfully complete an Apprenticeship Program course. Students placed on Academic Probation must meet with and be cleared by their advisor prior to registering for the next term. Students may not graduate while on Academic Probation. Repeated placement on Academic Probation may result in suspension from the program.
M.Div. Degree Requirements
A total of 72 credit hours are required. As part of the program, students must successfully complete 12 credit hours of apprenticeship courses, which require on-going ministry under the guidance of an approved practitioner-mentor, and 8 hours (4 semesters) of a biblical language.
Students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-ministry major are required to complete 24 hours of specific foundational coursework on the undergraduate or graduate level. These courses must be successfully completed prior to attempting the graduate courses. Foundational courses in which grades below “C-” have been earned are not acceptable.
Course Schedule Structure
Students move through this program as a cohort. Courses are therefore scheduled two days per week in morning and afternoon sections comprised of two courses each, in order to emphasize the integrated nature of biblical, theological, and ministerial studies. Students are encouraged to register each semester for both the morning and afternoon sections of classes in order to gain the most benefit from the integrated nature of the program. However, students may register for only one section of classes per semester (morning or afternoon section). Students wishing to enroll in less than one section per semester (for instance a single course) may do so, but they should be advised that they will likely encounter scheduling challenges.
The program is also designed to emphasize the integrated nature of academic study and practical ministry. To this end, when enrolled in a full semester (Fall or Spring), students are strongly encouraged to enroll in the appropriate apprenticeship course as well. The practical nature of the apprenticeship will inform and be informed by the academic courses offered during the semester.
Curriculum Requirements
The following courses of instruction are offered in the M.Div program. Foundational courses must be successfully completed prior to graduate course registration.