Master of Divinity, Concentration in Black Church Studies

Location(s): West Palm Beach Campus (Day), PBA Online

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75 Credit Hours

Aims and Outcomes

The Master of Divinity with a Concentration in Black Church Studies 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 Studies 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 Studies concentration courses (12 credit hours).

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

Integrated Core - 36 Credit Hours

Block 1
BIB 5003 - Genesis 3 Credit Hours
THL 5233 - The Early Church 3 Credit Hours
Block 2
BIB 5463 - The Book of the Twelve 3 Credit Hours
MLS 5033 - Christian Ethics 3 Credit Hours
Block 3
BIB 5713 - Psalter 3 Credit Hours
THL 5243 - The Reformation 3 Credit Hours
Block 4
BIB 5913 - Gospel of John 3 Credit Hours
THL 5803 - Global Christianity 3 Credit Hours
Block 5
BIB 5513 - Acts of the Apostles 3 Credit Hours
MLS 5513 - Mission of God 3 Credit Hours
Block 6
BIB 5723 - First Corinthians 3 Credit Hours
MLS 5903 - Worship and Discipleship 3 Credit Hours

Training for Ministry - 15 Credits

MLS 5713 - Ministerial Care and Leadership 3 Credit Hours
MLS 5313 - Proclamation of God’s Word 3 Credit Hours
MLS 5003 - Apprenticeship: Discipleship 3 Credit Hours
MLS 5203 - Apprenticeship: Proclamation 3 Credit Hours
MLS 5013 - Apprenticeship: Ministerial Care 3 Credit Hours

Biblical Languages - 12 Credit Hours

Students may choose from Hebrew and/or Greek courses at the Elementary, Intermediate, and/or Advanced level: BIB 5013 , BIB 5023 , BIB 5203 , BIB 5213 , BIB 6233 , BIB 6243 , BIB 5033 , BIB 5043 , BIB 5113 , BIB 5123 , BIB 6103 , BIB 6113 . For students without previous biblical languages, it is recommended they take all four courses in the same biblical language.

MDIV-BCS students may elect to replace up to 12 credit hours of biblical language courses with BIB 5053 Biblical Exegesis and Technology and up to 9 credit hours of electives to fulfill the full 75-credit hour MDiv Black Church Studies Concentration.

Black Church Studies Concentration - 12 Credit Hours (select 4)

THL 6453 - The Black Church in History and Theology 3 Credit Hours
THL 6653 - Suffering, Evil, and Redemption in Black Theology 3 Credit Hours
Public Witness of the Black Church
MLS 6413 - Contemporary Ministry Issues in the Black Church 3 Credit Hours
THL 6753 - Models of Black Ecclesiology 3 Credit Hours
MLS 6403 - Incarnational Witness in the Black Church 3 Credit Hours
THL 6763 - African Methodist Episcopal Life 3 Credit Hours (or related course)
THL 6773 - The Black Baptist Tradition 3 Credit Hours
MLS 6423 - African American Spirituality, Worship and Artistic Expression 3 Credit Hours

Apprenticeships

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 Studies Concentration. For additional information, see further the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in the Graduate and Pharmacy Catalog.