Religion Division

Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity degree is a three-year professional program designed to prepare recipients for various ministries in the church, and to provide the required educational experiences for those applying for D.Min. and Ph.D. programs. The curriculum provides insight into all the religious disciplines as a backdrop for varied ministries or later research specializations.

Prerequisites: The Master of Divinity degree is defined by accrediting agencies as a three-year program. The total number of hours varies. The requirements take into account the educational backgrounds of students with differing undergraduate majors. For students transferring into the program, the last 36 units (excluding any language courses and field work) must be taken at Seaver College. Transfer credit will be accepted from other graduate degrees and programs if it meets specific M.Div. requirements.

The language requirement, which may be taken as a graduate or undergraduate, is one year of instruction and one reading course in both Greek and Hebrew.

Course Requirements:

REL 502 Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (4) (This must be taken in the first term)

Choose 8 units in Old Testament
Choose 8 units in New Testament
Choose 16 units in ministry, missions, and counseling
Choose 6 units of field work in at least three different areas*
Choose 12 units in church history
Choose 12 units in Christian thought
Choose 12 elective units with advisor approval

*Field work is required for students without experience of at least two years in full-time ministry

All M.Div. students must also pass comprehensive examinations consisting of three days of written examinations and one hour of oral examination.