Master of Divinity
The Master of Divinity degree is widely regarded as the entry-level degree for vocational Christian ministries that focus on communicating the Word of God. Generally, graduates serve in leadership positions in the pastorate, missions, social work, youth ministry, evangelism, Christian education, and chaplaincy. By taking 9-12 units each trimester, the program can be completed in about three to four years.
Students enrolled in the Master of Divinity program follow a specific curriculum that includes studies in the original biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek. These, along with strong Bible and theology courses and practical ministry courses, prepare the student for effective leadership in various Christian ministries. Students who have completed the MRS and/or MABS at SCS may have to complete more than 96 units for the M.Div. if courses completed for the MRS and/or MABS are not part of the M.Div. program.
Purpose
The curriculum leading to the M.Div. degree is a 96-unit course of instruction designed to prepare students for:
- Vocational Christian ministries that normally require graduate-level Bible exposition and communication skills, especially preaching and teaching ministries; and/or
- Doing research in biblical and theological disciplines using the original languages of the Bible, including preparation for entry into doctoral Bible, ministry, and theology programs.
Student Program Goals
Upon successful completion of the Master of Divinity program the student will be able to:
- Apply inductive methodology to analyze and explain the purpose and theme of any book of the Bible.
- Apply a grammatical-historical hermeneutic to derive and defend a biblical doctrinal position.
- Apply knowledge gained from Bible study to the issues of life and in ministry to others for the glory of God.
- Apply the language skills necessary to accurately exegete the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible. (Applies only to Bible Language students and courses).
Graduation Requirements
Each candidate for the M.Div. degree must meet the general graduation requirements and:
- Complete 96 units of graduate-level courses (36 units beyond the MABS degree or equivalent) distributed as follows.
- Bible and theology .......................................... 42 units
- Biblical languages........................................... 18 units
- Practical ministry ............................................ 30 units
- Research and Thesis ......................................... 6 units
- Complete not less than 33 units at SCS.
- Complete PM-602 Pastoral Ministry, PM-771 Ministry Internship (120 hours of supervised ministry) or PM-774 Field Project I (280 hours of paid internship). Note: The GI Bill does not pay for internships.
- Complete RS-791 Thesis Writing.
- Complete the program curriculum with not less than a 3.0 GPA.
- Submit a petition to graduate to the Registrar by the deadline in the Academic Calendar.
- Settle all financial obligations to SCS.
- Be recommended for the M.Div. degree by the faculty based on demonstrated moral integrity.
Curriculum Distribution
Total 96 Units Click on course a course to view a description.Bible and Theology – 42 units
OT-505 Old Testament History I (trimester)
OT-507 Old Testament History II (trimester)
NT-506 Gospels and Acts (trimester)
NT-509 Pauline Epistles (trimester)
NT-510 General Epistles (trimester)
NT-601 Analysis of Romans
NT-660 Analysis of Revelation
TH-503 Bibliology/Hermeneutics
TH-507 Crucial Issues in Ministry
TH-508 Issues in Dispensationalism
TH-611 Theology I: Theology Proper and Angelology
TH-612 Theology II: Anthropology, Hamartiology, and Soteriology
TH-613 Theology III: Christology and Pneumatology
TH-614 Theology IV: Ecclesiology and Eschatology
Biblical Languages – 18 units
BL-501 Elementary Greek I (trimester)
BL-502 Elementary Greek II (trimester)
BL-601 Intermediate Greek I (trimester)
BL-602 Intermediate Greek II (trimester)
BL-551 Elementary Hebrew I (trimester)
BL-552 Elementary Hebrew II (trimester)
Practical Ministry – 30 units
BC-508 Crisis Counseling
BC-510 Fundamentals of Pastoral Counseling
CE-506 Teaching Dynamics
CE-509 Servant Leadership
CE-511 Principles of Stewardship
MI-605 World Christian Movement (trimester)
PM-501 Personal Evangelism
PM-511 Spiritual Disciplines
PM-602 Pastoral Ministry, PM-771 Ministry Internship, or PM-774 Field Project I
PM-704 Homiletics (trimester)
Research and Thesis – 6 units
RS-501 Graduate Research and Writing
RS-791 Thesis Writing (two trimesters)