M.Div. Curriculum
Program Description
The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) curriculum includes 89 hours of study. Students who have prerequisite training in Greek and Hebrew may receive advanced standing for up to 12 hours by successfully demonstrating competency. The M.Div. coursework equips the student with tools for graduate study and includes advanced studies in the Bible, studies in theology and church history, and training in practical ministry skills. Students generally focus ministry courses in one of three areas: congregational ministry, family life ministry, or youth ministry. There is also a general ministry (non-track) option. The capstone event in the M.Div. degree program is a comprehensive examination in which the student demonstrates his or her ability to integrate graduate level biblical studies and ministry skills.
Curriculum Overview
• Foundations (15 hours)
• Biblical Studies (24 hours)
• History-Theology Studies (21 hours)
• Ministry Studies (28 hours)
• Comprehensive Examination (1 hour)
Degree Requirements
The courses offered in the M.Div. curriculum are of three types: required core courses, required track courses, and elective courses.
I. FOUNDATIONS (15 hours)
| BIBL 5013 | Introduction to Graduate Biblical Studies |
| GREK 5103* | Elementary Greek I |
| GREK 5113* | Elementary Greek II |
| GREK 5123** | Intermediate Greek |
| GREK 5203** | Selected Greek NT Readings |
| GREK 5213** | Selected Greek Readings/Gospels |
| HBRW 5113* | Elementary Hebrew I |
| HBRW 5123* | Elementary Hebrew II |
| HBRW 5213** | Intermediate Hebrew |
* Required course for students lacking the prerequisite competency in biblical languages.
** Denotes a course that may also count toward biblical elective hours.
II. BIBLICAL STUDIES (24 hours)
Core Courses required of all students (15 hours):
| BIBL 5113 | Introduction to OT |
| BIBL 5213 | Introduction to NT |
| BIBL 5603 | Introduction to OT Theology |
| BIBL 5613 | Introduction to NT Theology |
| BIBL 5623 | Advanced Biblical Exegesis |
Biblical Studies Electives (9 hours):
| BIBL 5223 | Seminar in the Gospels |
| BIBL 5243 | Seminar in the Pauline Epistles |
| BIBL 5253 | Seminar in Selected New Testament Passages |
| BIBL 5313 | Old Testament Wisdom Literature |
| BIBL 5363 | Seminar in Selected Old Testament Passages |
(Note: Biblical language courses beyond the first year may count toward elective hours in biblical studies.)
III. HISTORY-THEOLOGY (21 hours)
Core Courses required of all students (15 hours):
| CHST 5003 | Historical Theology I |
| CHST 5013 | Historical Theology II |
| THEO 5003 | Contemporary Theology |
| THEO 5153 | Philosophical Theolog |
| THEO 5853 | Theology for Ministry |
Electives (6 hours):
| CHST 5023 | Restoration History |
| THEO 5013 | Ethics |
| THEO 5023 | Systematic Theology |
| THEO 5143 | Coping with Non-Christian Religions |
IV. MINISTRY STUDIES (28 hours)
Core Courses required of all students (16 hours):
| GMIN 5013* | Spiritual Formation |
| GMIN 5523* | Biblical & Contemporary Evangelism |
| GMIN 5533* | Preaching and Communicating Scripture |
| GMIN 5833* | Managing Conflict, Transition, and Change |
| GMIN 5911* | Ministry Colloquy |
| GMIN 5913* | Field Education |
Electives (12 hours):
| GMIN 5023 | Congregational Leadership |
| GMIN 5033 | Small Group Ministries |
| GMIN 5043 | Adult Learning |
| FMIN 5403 | Teachings in Family Relations |
| FMIN 5503 | Marriage & Family Dynamics |
| FMIN 5543 | Marriage & Family Therapy |
(Note: available electives also include the track specific courses listed below, i.e. students may choose electives from track courses outside their declared track)
Congregational Ministry Track (12 hours)
| GMIN 5003* | Ministry in Cities and Small Towns |
| GMIN 5513* | Congregational Development and Administration |
| GMIN 5743* | Counseling for Ministers |
Three additional hours are to be chosen from coursework in any track or the ministry electives. Course prerequisites, if any, must be met for all courses selected.
*Required course for all students in the track.
Family Life Ministry Track (12 hours)
| FMIN 5103* | Family Life Ministry |
| FMIN 5113* | Theology of Family Life Ministry |
| FMIN 5303* | Applications of Family Life Ministry |
Three additional hours are to be chosen from coursework in any track or the ministry electives. Course prerequisites, if any, must be met for all courses selected.
*Required course for all students in the track.
Youth Ministry Track (12 hours)
| YTMN 5103* | Adolescent Culture |
| YTMN 5163* | Adolescent Physical & Spiritual Development |
| YTMN 5203* | Teaching AdolescentS |
Three additional hours are to be chosen from coursework in any track or the ministry electives. Course prerequisites, if any, must be met for all courses selected.
*Required course for all students in the track.
Non-track Option: Specialized Ministry
Select 12 hours from any track or from the ministry electives. Course prerequisites, if any, must be met for all courses selected.
VI. COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION (1 hour)
COMP 5901 M.Div. Comprehensive Examination
The capstone event for the Master of Divinity candidate is a comprehensive examination in the student's final semester. In the comprehensive examination, the student demonstrates the ability to integrate graduate level studies and ministry skills. The comprehensive exam includes a written response to a case study, an oral presentation related to the case study, and an oral defense before an examining committee.
