Dr. James Sweeney, Director

The Master of Divinity program will equip you for Christian service by expanding your capacity for biblical/theological reflection, nurturing individual spiritual formation, developing practical ministry skills, and fostering distinctive Christian leadership qualities. You will learn the principles of researching and delivering a sermon, leading and designing worship, and counseling those in need.  You will also study the nuances of the Greek and Hebrew languages, while learning biblical translation skills.  You will identify methods of moral decision making, evaluate scriptural models for deliberation, and formulate a biblical basis for congregational vision ministry.  Intentional, personal spiritual formation permeates the curriculum to help you solidify who you are in Christ, and then to teach others to know as well.

The Master of Divinity is a 90-hour program that is the normative degree to prepare persons for ordained ministry and general pastoral or religious leadership responsibilities.  The program is designed for completion in three years of full-time study or in four or more years of part-time study.  Students are encouraged to select a specialization that reflects their calling, spiritual gifts, vocational career intentions, and vision.

The Master of Divinity program is made up of the following:

• Eight Bible courses
• Nine Christian ministry courses
• Three church history courses, including one denominational history and polity course
• Nine Theological Summits
• Five theology courses, including hermeneutics
• Two elective courses

Some common career paths for M.Div. majors are:

• Ordained ministry
• Vocational ministry
• Theological/Biblical foundation for leadership in Christian ministry contexts
• Teaching Bible or religious studies at the secondary school level
• Personal Theological/theological enrichment in conjunction with Christian counseling
• Service in a para-church organization
• Spiritual direction ministry
• Chaplaincy