Master of Divinity
Program Description
This program offers experienced ministers opportunities to hone skills in theological reflection, research design, and methods within a specified area of ministry to improve their service and leadership among God’s people. Refine the theological basis for ministry in their area of specialization. Describe and evaluate various approaches to conflict resolution within Christian organizations. Use appropriate research methodology to evaluate and improve their practice of ministry. Complete a Capstone Ministry Project reflecting their theological basis for ministry and their understanding of sound research principles.
Unit Credits
| A. Biblical Theology (core) | 12 Credits |
|---|---|
| B. Systematic Theology (core) | 9 Credits |
| C. Church Historical Theology (core) | 9 Credits |
| D. Mission& Leadership Theology (core) | 15 Credits |
| E. Practical Theology (core) | 9 Credits |
| F. Any 500 or 600 Level Courses from Graduate Studies Class Listings | 24 Credits |
| G. Thesis | Optional (If Non-Thesis) |
| Total Credits | 78 Credits |
Required Courses
| A. | Biblical Theology (core) ( 3 Credits) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRE 551 | Elementary New Testament Greek | |||
| HEB 521 | Elementary Biblical Hebrew | |||
| ODT 500 | Introduction to the Old Testament | |||
| NWT 501 | Introduction to the New Testament | |||
| B. | Systematic Theology (core) | |||
| THE 501 | Introduction to Christian Theology | |||
| THE 715 | Reformation Theology | |||
| THE 725 | Contemporary Theology | |||
| C. | Church Historical Theology (core) | |||
| CHI 510 | The History of Christianity 1 | |||
| CHI 511 | The History of Christianity 2 | |||
| CHI 630 | History of Modern Christianity | |||
| D. | Mission & Leadership Theology (core) | |||
| LEA 510 | Introduction to Pastoral Leadership | |||
| PAM 771 | Theology of Conflict Management for Ministry | |||
| PAM 790 | Effective Communication Skills for Ministry | |||
| PAM 720 | Principles & Strategies for Church Planting | |||
| MIS 600 | Introduction to Missions | |||
| E. | Practical Theology (core) | |||
| PRE 501 | Principles of Preaching | |||
| CHI 651 | Christian Education Ministry with Adults | |||
| PAM 501 | Introduction to Pastoral Care | |||
| F. | Any 500 or 600 Level Courses from Graduate Studies Class Listings | |||
| GREEK | ||||
| GRE 552 | Intermediate New Testament Greek | |||
| GRE 651 | New Testament Greek Exegesis | |||
| GRE 652 | Advanced New Testament Greek Exegesis | |||
| HEBREW | ||||
| HEB 522 | Intermediate Biblical Hebrew | |||
| HEB 610 | Hebrew Reading: | |||
| HEB 650 | Exegesis of the Hebrew Bible. | |||
| HEB 661 | Intermediate Exegesis of the Hebrew Bible | |||
| HEB780 | Advanced Exegesis of the Hebrew Bible | |||
| BBS 510 | Biblical Hermeneutics | |||
| OLD TESTAMENT | ||||
| ODT 520 | Old Testament History | |||
| ODT 501 | Studies of the Old Testament | |||
| ODT 611 | Studies in the Pentateuch | |||
| ODT 612 | Studies in the Old Testament Historical Books | |||
| ODT 622 | Old Testament Wisdom Literature | |||
| ODT 665 | Studies in Post-exilic Old Testament Literature | |||
| ODT 685 | Selected Topics in the Old Testament | |||
| ODT 721 | The Psalms | |||
| ODT 761 | The Book of Isaiah | |||
| ODT 762 | Jeremiah & Ezekiel | |||
| ODT 763 | Selected Minor Prophets of the Old Testament | |||
| ODT 790 | Independent Research in the Old Testament | |||
| ODT 795 | Old Testament Thesis | |||
| NEW TESTAMENT | ||||
| NWT 620 | The Ministry & Message of Jesus | |||
| NWT 623 | The Life & Letters of St. Paul | |||
| NWT 637 | The General Epistles | |||
| NWT 685 | Selected Topics in the New Testament | |||
| NWT 721 | The Synoptic Gospels | |||
| NWT 722 | The Gospel & Letters of John | |||
| NWT 725 | Book of Acts | |||
| NWT 731 | Epistle to the Romans | |||
| NWT 733 | Epistles to the Corinthians | |||
| NWT 734 | Selected Pauline Epistles | |||
| NWT 735 | Epistle to the Hebrews | |||
| NWT 761 | Revelation and Related Apocalyptic Literature | |||
| NEW 771 | Early Judaism and the New Testament | |||
| NWT 790 | Independent Research in the New Testament | |||
| NWT 795 | New Testament Thesis | |||
| THEOLOGY | ||||
| THE 510 | History of Christian Doctrine | |||
| THE 610 | The Doctrine of God | |||
| THE 620 | The Doctrine of Christ | |||
| THE 630 | The Doctrine of Salvation | |||
| THE 640 | The Doctrine of the Church | |||
| THE 685 | Selected Topics in Theology | |||
| THE 655 | Theology of Individual Denominations | |||
| THE 685 | Selected Topics in Theological Studies | |||
| THE 721 | Modern Theological Thinkers | |||
| THE 795 | Thesis in Theology | |||
| CHURCH HISTORY | ||||
| CHI 610 | History of the Early Church | |||
| CHI 620 | History of the Reformation | |||
| CHI 655 | History of Individual Denominations | |||
| CHI 730 | Women in Church History | |||
| CHI 732 | History of American Christianity | |||
| CHI 735 | History of the Black Church in America | |||
| CHI 740 | History of Global Christianity | |||
| CHI 790 | Independent Research in Church History | |||
| CHI 795 | Thesis in Church History | |||
| CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP | ||||
| LEA/CED 520 | Great Commission Discipleship | |||
| LEA 550 | Transformational Leadership | |||
| LEA 600 | Advanced Leadership Skills for the Twenty-First Century | |||
| LEA 660 | Strategic and Organizational Leadership | |||
| LEA 670 | Leadership in Postmodern Culture | |||
| LEA 685 | Selected Topics in Pastoral Leadership | |||
| LEA 750 | Developing Leadership in the Local Church | |||
| LEA 790 | Independent Research in Pastoral Leadership | |||
| PREACHING | ||||
| PRE 621 | The History of Christian Preaching | |||
| PRE 622 | Preaching Resources | |||
| PRE 623 | Preaching on Contemporary Issues | |||
| PRE 625 | Preaching within Ethnic Traditions | |||
| PRE 720 | The Art of Expository Preaching | |||
| PRE 721 | Preaching Themes in Biblical Literature | |||
| CHRISTIAN EDUCATION | ||||
| CED 500 | Great Commission Discipleship | |||
| CHE 631 | Ministry with Children | |||
| CHI641 | Ministry with Youth | |||
| CHI 651 | Christian Education Ministry with Adults | |||
| CHI 685 | Selected Topics in Christian Education | |||
| CHI 740 | The Teaching Congregation | |||
| MINISTRY | ||||
| PAM 640 | Grief Counseling | |||
| PAM 680 | Legal Issues in Ministry | |||
| PAM 740 | Technology in Ministry | |||
| PAM 770 | Conflict Resolution in the Local Church | |||
| PAM780 | Principles & Strategies for Church Growth | |||
| MISSIONS / EVANGELISM | ||||
| CUL 620 | Culture and Context | |||
| MIS 520 | History & Theology of Evangelism & Missions | |||
| MIS 602 | Cross Cultural Communication of the Gospel | |||
| MIS 685 | Selected Topics in Missional Evangelism | |||
| PAM 720 | Principles & Strategies for Church Planting | |||
| EVA 731 | Evangelism an Urban Setting | |||
| MIS 780 | Missions Practicum | |||
| MIS 790 | Independent Research in Missions | |||
| MIS 791 | Ministry for Immigrant Society | |||
| WORSHIP | ||||
| WOR 510 | Introduction to Christian Worship | |||
| WOR 520 | History of Christian Worship | |||
| WOR 630 | Early Christian Worship | |||
| WOR 640 | Western Worship Traditions | |||
| WOR 685 | Selected Topics in Christian Worship | |||
| WOR 740 | Worship and Sacraments | |||
| WOR 750 | Contemporary Worship | |||
| WOR 780 | Worship Practicum | |||
G. Thesis
Upon completion of all coursework and other requirements of the program, a student may enroll in thesis writing as an optional.
Proposal Defense
Only if and when the adviser has approved the defense of the thesis should the student enroll for proposal defense. If revisions in the thesis are required by the proposal defense panel, the revised version should be submitted to the members of the proposal defense panel within the allotted period. Failure to do so is considered failed the proposal defense and needs to repeat the entire thesis cycle.
Final Defense
Students who have successfully completed the Proposal Defense are qualified to apply for the Final Defense. If revisions in the thesis are required by the proposal defense panel, the revised version should be submitted to the members of the proposal defense panel within the allotted period. Failure to do so is considered failed the proposal defense and needs to repeat the entire thesis cycle.