Master of Divinity
for
Bible College Graduates

Those who are Bible college graduates may receive advanced standing credit (ASC). If you receive ASC, you are not required to retake the course(s) and are not required to take additional course(s) to make up for the credits. The purpose for ASC is to reduce redundancy in your program. Thus, you may be able to complete the M.Div. more quickly. Your faculty advisor will work with you to determine the amount of ASC you will receive.

The M.Div.includes three major components: biblical languages, research courses, and preaching courses. You should be aware that decisions relative to ASC may positively impact the scheduling of your courses.

The M.Div. requires 14 hours of Greek and 14 hours of Hebrew. You must make a minimum grade of a C to move from one language course to another.

The faculty recommends that you take Elementary Greek 1 and 2 during your first two semesters. Your knowledge of Greek will be helpful as you complete research projects in other classes. There are two options as you anticipate subsequent years. Your advisor will work with you to determine which option is best for you.

1. During the second year, students typically take Greek Grammar and Syntax (fall) and Greek Exegetical Methods (spring) and Elementary Hebrew 1 and 2. During the third year, students take Hebrew Exegesis and Reading (fall) and Hebrew Reading along with OT Introduction (spring). This track allows you to complete the language requirement in three years.

2. During the second year, students take Greek Grammar and Syntax (fall) and Greek Exegetical Methods (spring). During the third year, students take Elementary Hebrew 1 and 2. During the fourth year, students take Hebrew Exegesis and Reading (fall) and Hebrew Reading along with OT Introduction (spring). This track allows you to complete the language requirement in four years.

The M.Div. requires you to complete 8 hours of research courses. It may help if you think about scheduling these courses in the context of a three-year or a four-year sequence. As you may suspect, decisions made relative to the language courses provides context to schedule the research courses. For example, if you plan to graduate in four years, you should anticipate completing the thesis requirement during the fourth year and anticipate completing the prospectus in the spring semester of your third year.

Your advisor will assist you to schedule the research courses, choose a topic for the thesis and guide you through the research and writing portions of your work. Now, to facilitate your work, the faculty recommends that you choose a topic early in your program and begin the research as you complete courses that are relevant to the topic. Some students choose their topic and begin the research process as they take Methods of Research.

You will complete the following research courses.

Methods of Research (2 hrs.) The graduate faculty strongly recommends that you complete this course during the first year of your program. The course prepares you for research assignments in other courses and the thesis.

Thesis prospectus (1 hr.) You take this course the spring semester before you begin to write your thesis. You work with the research faculty and faculty advisor who will help you prepare to write your prospectus.

MDiv Thesis - Fall (2 hrs.) You complete this course the fall semester of the year in which you anticipate graduating.

MDiv Thesis - Spring (3 hrs.) You complete this course the spring semester of the year in which you anticipate graduating.

Students in the M.Div. program complete two preaching courses. You should be aware of the pre-requisites to enter into Expository Preaching 1.

Expository Preaching 1 (3 hrs.) You must complete Elementary Greek 2 and Hermeneutics as prerequisites. The faculty recommends you complete this course the fall semester of your second year.

Expository Preaching 2 (3 hrs.) You must complete Expository 1 as a prerequisite.

Recommended
Three-Year Time Frame