Master of Divinity, Concentration in the Black Church

Aims and Outcomes

The Master of Divinity with a Concentration in the Black Church is designed for students who wish to combine their vocational ministry training with the pressing contemporary issues of the black church. The cohort model, instructors, and assigned readings (where relevant) will also provide further contextualization of the Master of Divinity degree. For additional information, see the Master of Divinity (M.Div.)  degree in the Graduate and Pharmacy Catalog.

Structure and Delivery

PBA’s MDiv was created from scratch with twenty-first century ministry in view. After consulting with innovative pastors and scholars and reflecting on the gaps in seminary education, it was decided to move beyond the isolated silos of traditional seminary approaches in delivery method and curriculum. The structure of the MDiv with a Black Church Concentration thus contains six unique features:

Cohort community: Because we learn best in a thriving community, students benefit from a cohort model, with daytime classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays or evening synchronous online classes;

Efficient learning: Because master-level education should build upon a solid foundation, the curriculum features advanced courses while avoiding the repetition of undergraduate introductory courses;

Integrated thinking: Because real-life ministry requires integrated thinking, students study the Bible, Theology, and Practical Theology in paired courses across disciplines;

Flipped classroom: Because learning is best experienced in safe spaces of trial and error, students learn the biblical languages through an engaging flipped classroom approach;

Leadership development: Because practitioners need intentional practice, students develop their leadership skills in three apprenticeships, serving under a ministry leader and gaining over 450 hours of hands-on experience;

Relevant education: Because we believe academic theology belongs to the church, students are able to meet in January for a weeklong intensive course with senior scholars and community pastors/leaders who model the integration of academic study and practical ministry.

Program Length

See further the Master of Divinity (M.Div.)  degree in the Graduate and Pharmacy Catalog.

Admission

The admission requirements and process may be found in the relevant Admissions section of the Graduate and Pharmacy Catalog.

Degree Requirements

All students studying for the MDiv, Black Church Concentration (75 credit hours) will complete an integrated core (36 credit hours), ministry-training courses (15 credit hours), biblical languages (12 credit hours), and Black Church concentration courses (12 credit hours).

Students with a bachelor’s degree in ministry-related field are given the opportunity to move straight to graduate coursework. Students without a bachelor’s degree in a ministry-related field will complete prerequisite coursework (developed on a case-by-case basis) in the areas of Spiritual Formation, Bible, History of Christianity, Systematic Theology, and THL 5000 - Introduction to Theological Research . For additional information, including any required prerequisites, see further the Master of Divinity (M.Div.)  degree in the Graduate and Pharmacy Catalog.

Below are the specific degree requirements for the MDiv, Black Church Concentration:

Apprenticeships

In consultation with their advisor, students with significant ministry experience may request to replace up to 9 credit hours of apprenticeship courses with MLS 6433 Apprenticeship: Mentoring and Leadership Development, or with one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, and with 6 credit hours of electives to fulfill the full 75-credit hour MDiv Black Church Concentration. For additional information, see further the Master of Divinity (M.Div.)  degree in the Graduate and Pharmacy Catalog.