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Master Of Divinity

• Degree Description
• Degree Requirements
• Degree Goals
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Degree Description

The M.Div. degree is the school’s central degree, enrolling the majority of students who are preparing for professional ministry. The purpose of the degree is to provide leadership for the worldwide church by educating women and men in the classic disciplines of theological training—language competency, biblical exegesis, theological constructs, historical perspective, and ministry skills. The curriculum of the M.Div. degree, therefore, seeks to inculcate in students knowledge and ability to:

• engage in biblical exegesis competently using the original languages of Greek and Hebrew
• understand the historical and theological development of the Christian faith
• expound and proclaim effectively the biblical message of redemption
• develop skills appropriate for church leadership as a pastor, teacher, counselor, evangelist, chaplain, church planter, missionary, or other role as a leader
• appreciate and be committed to the worldwide proclamation of the gospel

With the foundation of the Bible as the center of our entire instructional program, the M.Div. degree seeks to expose students to the breadth of disciplines necessary for ministry in the world today. The Division of Biblical Studies endeavors to prepare students to interpret the Bible accurately. The Division of Christian Thought endeavors to prepare students to think biblically about the issues of life, aided by historical perspective and systematic reflection. The Division of the Ministry of the Church endeavors to train students to apply the Word of God through preaching, counseling, teaching, administering the life of the church, and giving pastoral care.

Designed primarily for those who expect to enter some form of ministry in the church, especially pastoral ministry, the program also allows for concentrations in Educational Ministries, Youth Ministry, World Missions, and Urban Ministry. The M.Div. degree prepares students to meet ordination requirements for the major Protestant denominations in America, as well as chaplaincy service in the Armed Forces.

Students must complete 30 courses (90 credit hours), plus six semesters of Mentored Ministry (transcripted but without academic credit), and maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or more in order to graduate. Of the 30 courses, ten must be completed in Biblical Studies (including Greek and Hebrew), seven in Christian Thought, and seven in Ministry. Options exist within each division for satisfying requirements. Some denominations also require a course in denominational standards, which the seminary is pleased to offer in consultation with a given denomination. Electives round out the program.

Degree Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Students participating in the Master of Divinity degree must complete 30 courses, six units of Mentored Ministry, maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and be present for graduation exercises. No more than 8 courses may be taken at other schools in the Boston Theological Institute.

Degree Requirements

Core Requirements: Candidates are required to complete ten courses in the area of Biblical Studies, seven courses in Christian Thought and seven courses in Ministry.

General Electives: Each student must complete six elective courses.

Mentored Ministry: Students must complete six units of Mentored Ministry

Denominational Standards: Most denominations require a course in denominational standards. This is not a Seminary requirement, but the student should carefully observe the relevant re quire ment of his or her denomination.

Bible Competency: All M.Div. students must demonstrate Bible competency either by successfully completing the Old and/or New Testament Survey courses, or by passing the Bible Competency Exams. Those who do not pass the Competency Exams, or elect not to sit for the exams will be required to complete OT 500, Old Testament Survey and/or NT 501, New Testament Survey as electives.

M.Div. Concentrations: The Master of Divinity program is designed to provide the student with a general yet comprehensive basis for pastoral ministry. However, those who wish to concentrate their theological studies can select from one of four approved tracks. Those who pursue a concentration will reduce their general electives by a minimum of four courses. Depending on the track, certain M.Div. core requirements may be altered.

• Educational Ministries Track: This track qualifi es a person for general pastoral ministry, but also provides specialized training for a minister of Christian education or for further graduate study in the field of Christian education.
• Youth Ministries Track: The Youth Ministries track is designed to prepare M.Div. candidates for local church and outreach ministries with youth in a given community. M.Div. students completing this track should be able to function as denominational consultants or directors of youth ministries, or be able to develop youth programs in new settings. Students are encouraged to complete a portion of their Mentored Ministry units working in a Youth Ministry context, and another portion in other facets of pastoral ministry. Students may be required to travel to Gordon-Conwell’s Boston campus for certain course offerings.
• World Missions Track: For the M.Div. track in world missions, two required courses plus three electives in this area must be completed. Courses can be taken in conjunction with the Overseas Missions Practicum (WM 720, 721), with Inner City Ministry I and II (MC 621, 622) or with the Summer Institute of Linguistics of the Wycliffe Bible Translators. WM 721 may be taken to fulfill one course credit and up to two units of Mentored Ministry when those units are registered concurrently. Students who choose to replace OMP with Inner City Ministry I and II must be living in an urban context for that year.
• Urban Ministries Track: Gordon-Conwell provides its students with an opportunity for an “urban year” of living, ministering and studying in Boston through its Center for Urban Ministerial Education (CUME). With the cooperation and support of ministers, churches and agencies (especially the Emmanuel Gospel Center) in inner-city and working-class sections of Boston, the program centers on a close relationship between Mentored Ministry in the city and academic training. Urban Ministry students are encouraged to meet with CUME staff for curricular advisement during registration periods. Seminary courses on urban ministry are offered directly in the city and will require the
  students’ travel if they are not living in Boston. Students are encouraged to spend their second year in the city while completing their Urban Track courses, especially if they have never lived in an urban context prior to seminary.

Degree Goals

1. To gain competency with the biblical languages in order to develop exegetical and hermeneutical skills using the Hebrew text of the Old Testament and the Greek text of the New Testament (1)
2. To understand the basic content and themes of the Old and New Testaments in their historical and cultural settings, (1) as well as the historical and theological dimensions of the Christian faith (2)
3. To expound and proclaim effectively the biblical message of redemption (3)
4. To develop skills appropriate for church leadership as a pastor, teacher, counselor, evangelist, chaplain, church planter, missionary or other role as a leader (3)
5. To foster love for God and his word and therefore to cultivate the practices of spiritual maturity and Christ-like character, and to understand the Christian’s ethical responsibility in church and society (4, 5)
6. To acquire a biblical perspective and Christian worldview on the forces in our culture and to learn to engage those as they are at work both outside and inside the life of the church (5)
7. To develop a global vision for the Christian faith so as to foster an appreciation and commitment to the worldwide proclamation of the gospel (6)
8. To cultivate an appreciation for and a commitment to the personal and community sharing of the gospel (6)

Catalogs

Click here to download the South Hamilton campus catalog.
Click here to request the Boston/CUME campus catalog.
Click here to downlaod the Charlotte campus catalog.