Divinity, MDiv

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Offered in Hickory, NC

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree is a three-year program (84 credit hours) that prepares persons for ordained ministry in most mainline churches. It is also available to students who wish to integrate ministerial formation into other kinds of professions. The MDiv is open to students of all denominations. This curriculum seeks to shape the entire person for faithful service to the church and to the world. The MDiv can be used to fulfill the Disciplinary Basic Graduate Theological Studies (BGTS) courses and certain other conference membership and ordination requirements in the United Methodist Church. It also applies to those who have completed the UMC’s Basic Course of Study and have a bachelor’s degree.

Admission Requirements

Visit Graduate Admission for the most current Program Admission Requirements.

Biblical Studies Courses: 18 Credit Hours

BIB 500 - Survey of the Bible 3 Credits.
BIB 503 - Hebrew or BIB 504 - Greek 3 Credits.
BIB elective in Gospels exegesis 3 Credits.
BIB elective in Pauline literature exegesis 3 Credits.
BIB elective in Old Testament 3 Credits.
BIB elective in any biblical topic 3 Credits.

History and Theology Courses: 24 Credit Hours

CHS 501 - Church History I 3 Credits.
CHS 502 - Church History II 3 Credits.
THL 503 - The Vocation of the Seminarian 3 Credits.
THL 510 - Exploring Theology Across Contexts and Cultures 3 Credits.
THL 600 - Introduction to Christian Theology 3 Credits.
THL 650 - Christian Ethics 3 Credits.
Denominational theology 3 Credits. *
Denominational history 3 Credits. *

Ministry Courses: 20 Credit Hours

CED course in Christian education 3 Credits.
MIN 504 - Spiritual Practices 1 Credits. (must complete two)
MIN 505 - Foundations in Pastoral Care 3 Credits.
MIN 510 - Foundations of Christian Worship 3 Credits.
MIN 540 - Leadership in God’s Mission 3 Credits. **
MIN 610 - Foundations in Preaching 3 Credits.
THL 501 - Learning Outcomes 0 Credits. (Master of Divinity student must complete four times)
THL 670 - Constructive Theology 3 Credits.

Contextual Education Courses: 10 Credit Hours

MIN 500A - Boundary Training 0 Credits.
MIN 500 - Field Education I 1 Credits.
MIN 501 - Field Education II 1 Credits.
CPE 500 - Clinical Pastoral Education 6 Credits.
MIN 600 - Field Education III 1 Credits.
MIN 601 - Field Education IV 1 Credits.

General Electives: 12 Credit Hours

Total Credit Hours: 84

* The two denomination-specific courses apply to Lutheran, United Methodist, and Baptist students. Other students may substitute history and/or theology electives in consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic Programs.

** Students may substitute for MIN 540 any approved LED course in the University’s MA in Leadership program.

Degree Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Divinity program will:

Demonstrate emotional and spiritual maturity and faithful living appropriate to public ministry.
Demonstrate theologically informed and self-reflective engagement of distinct human cultures and communities.
Demonstrate competencies necessary to cultivate anti-racist discipleship.
Analyze Christian scripture and traditions with reference to their original contexts.
Interpret Christian scripture and traditions in ways that cultivate Christian community and discipleship.
Demonstrate leadership in areas of pastoral ministry that generate discipleship and positive change in the church and the world.

Seminary Degree Program Add-On Options

LTSS students may earn a formal concentration in one of three areas: Biblical Studies, Theology, and Faith Formation. Concentrations consist of nine (9) credit hours in general electives. Courses required by a degree program do not count toward a concentration.

Biblical Studies: Choose 9 hours among BIB electives.

Theology: Choose 9 hours among THL electives. With the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs, a student may apply up to three hours in biblical studies (BIB) or church history (CHS).

Faith Formation: Choose 9 hours among CED electives. With the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs, a student may apply up to six hours in relevant education (EDU) or ministry (MIN) courses.

LTSS students may earn a formal cognate in Leadership. Cognates consist of nine (9) credit hours in general electives. Courses required by a degree program do not count toward a cognate.

Choose 9 hours among the following courses:

LTSS students may earn a formal cognate in Counseling. Cognates consist of nine (9) credit hours in general electives. Courses required by a degree program do not count toward a cognate. Students enrolled in a counseling cognate will be assigned a secondary advisor from the Counseling program.

Choose 9 hours among the following courses:

COU 505 Counseling Theories
COU 520 Clinical Mental Health Counseling
COU 530 Counseling Techniques
CPE 500 Clinical Pastoral Education (6 hours in addition to any CPE degree requirement)
HCS 505 Theoretical Foundations & History of Human Services
Up to 3 hours of MIN electives, pending approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs

LTSS students may earn a formal cognate in Sustainability. Cognates consist of nine (9) credit hours in general electives. Courses required by a degree program do not count toward a cognate.

Choose 9 hours among the following courses:

BUS 535 Sustainability Management & Decision Making
POL 525 Environmental Policy
SUS 501 Visions of Sustainable Communities
SUS 571 Sustainability Behavior, Education, and Communication
THL 683 Eating Together Faithfully