Master of Divinity
The Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree program offers classical theological and practical preparation for ordained or lay ministry in a variety of contexts. An emphasis on the classical disciplines of Bible, church history, theology and ethics provides opportunities for faculty and students to teach and learn the truth as they know it in Christ, to relate that truth to the challenges and opportunities of contemporary culture, and to serve that truth in the ministry of the church. This program will prepare you to be a minister who is ready for specific ministry practices including preaching the Word, leading and administering a church, pastoral care, spiritual guidance, mission and evangelism, education and more. In addition to developing competencies in specific ministry practices, the Master of Divinity program prepares students to be ministers who have the ability to link those practices to analysis of the social and cultural context(s) of ministry, a critical and ethically conscious reading of Scripture and tradition, critical theological and ethical reflection, and knowledge and appreciation of global Christianity.
The MDiv curriculum covers an expansive range of essential topics for ministry. Students who wish to fortify their knowledge in a particular area through completion of multiple courses may choose to specialize in one of nine areas within the MDiv program:
• Church Leadership;
• Christian Education;
• Spirituality;
• Addiction Ministry;
• Pastoral Care and Counseling;
• Liturgical Arts;
• Mission and Evangelism;
• Youth Ministry; and
• Biblical Languages and Texts.
Additionally, the MDiv may be combined with any of the other Master’s degrees in a dual degree program, often with the equivalent of just one additional year of full-time study.
Course Requirements
A total of 85 credit hours are required for the Master of Divinity.
