Program Duration and Location

The M.Div. program may be completed in three years of full-time study. Students who carry heavy employment or other responsibilities may extend this an additional year by carrying a lighter but still full-time load. Financial assistance may be awarded for no more than eight semesters (four years) and all requirements for the degree must be completed within 14 semesters (seven years) of the date of initial matriculation. Students may not take more than 15 credits in the fall or spring semester or 3 credits in the January term without approval of the Academic Standing Committee.

Students who cannot attend seminary full time may apply for the Extended Track Program of the Theological School. In this program, students take 15-18 credits per year including fall and spring semesters, January term, and summer terms. The program takes 5-6 years to complete on this track. Scholarships apply to all courses (even if the student is enrolled in only three credits) up to a total of 12 semesters (6 years).

There are a limited number of spaces available for Extended Track students. Students should indicate an interest in this program on their application form. Contact the Associate Academic Dean for more information on this program.

Admission Requirements

Students must have met the following requirements for admission to the M.Div. program:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or from an equivalent overseas institution;
2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in a previous degree program. This capacity may also be indicated by “B” work in a selected group of courses pertinent to theological study;
3. Capacity for leadership and, if appropriate, the potential for ordination;
4. Personal interviews with an admissions representative may be required.

Program Curriculum

The M.Div. is awarded at the satisfactory completion of 84 credits, 51 required and 33 elective. Students are encouraged to use elective credits to shape the curriculum to their own professional goals, to fulfill specific denominational requirements for ordination, and to become more proficient in areas where future ministry needs may have been identified.

• BBST 501 - Biblical Literature I: Torah, Prophets, Writings
• BBST 511 - Biblical Literature 2: Gospels, Epistles, Apocalypse
• CHST 502 - Church History 1
• CHST 503 - Church History 2
• TPHL 501 - Systematic Theology
• TPHL 508 - Challenge of World Religions to Christian Practice (or another course in world religions)
• TPHL - An advanced elective in theology
• CSOC 501 - Christian Ethics
• CSOC 500 - Religion and the Social Process
• PSTH 501 - Pastoral Formation
• PSTH 502 - Pastoral Formation 2
• PSTH 503 - Introduction to Educational Ministry
• PSTH 504 - Introduction to Pastoral Care
• PSTH 505 - The Church at Worship: Worship
• PSTH 506 - The Church at Worship: Preaching
• PSTH 521 - Supervised Ministry Practice (2 semesters)
• PSTH 522 - Supervised Ministry 2
• A cross cultural experience

• Students with no prior experience in Philosophy are also required to take TPHL 500 - Philosophical Resources for Theology .

• M. Div./M.S.W. Drew Theological School and Monmouth University Dual Degree Program

Learning Outcomes

The following learning outcomes are anticipated for Master of Divinity students:

1. the ability to see the holy in all life –in the entirety of creation
2. the ability to read and interpret scripture and other sacred texts with cultural sensitivity, ethical awareness, and a critical understanding of their histories, interpretations, and applications in church and society
3. the ability to think theologically with imagination, openness, and analytical insight
4. the ability to interpret histories of Christian thought and practice critically and creatively, engaging the otherness of the past while also rendering it relevant to current contexts and emerging possibilities
5. the ability to hear God’s call to recognize and address injustice and inequality in the social structuring of gender, ethnicity, race, class, disabilities,and sexual identity
6. the capacity to exercise effective leadership in both ecclesial and public contexts through, for example, preaching, teaching, pastoral care, worship, and justice ministries
7. the development of communal and personal practices that nourish spiritual and moral well-being.
8. transformative engagement during the seminary years with religious pluralism and cultural difference in the classroom, on cross cultural trips, and in community life

Suggested Course Sequence For Required Courses (Full-Time)