Master of Divinity
for
University Graduates
Students who graduate from the university typically do very well in the M.Div. program. If there is a learning curve, you will need to become familiar with the theological vocabulary. As you may except, any time one moves from one academic discipline to another, new vocabulary is always expected. The faculty recommends that you purchase Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology and review the content of the book as you anticipate taking a theology course. You will become familiar with theological vocabulary and topics/issues that are to be discussed. This book is the undergraduate textbook for theology and doctrine classes.
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. The Hebrew classes can be started either during the 2nd or 3rd year of the students program.
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 third year.
Expository Preaching 2 (3 hrs.) You must complete Expository 1 as a prerequisite.
Recommended
Five-Year Time Frame
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester |
| 1 | Apologetics (3 hrs.) Methods of Research (2 hrs.) Elementary Greek 1 (3 hrs.) Elective (3 hrs.) |
Hermeneutics (2 hrs.) NT Introduction (2 hrs.) Elementary Greek 2 (3 hrs.) Theology & History of Missions (3 hrs.) |
|
| 2 | Systematic Theology 1 (3 hrs.) Expository Preaching 1 (2 hrs.) Greek Grammar & Syntax (3 hrs.) OT Directed Readings (3 hrs.) |
Systematic Theology 2 (3 hrs.) Local Church & Counseling (3 hrs.) Greek Exegesis Methods (3 hrs.) Electives (3 hrs.) |
Church History (3 Hrs.) |
| 3 | Systematic Theology 3 (3 hrs.) Elementary Hebrew 1 (3 hrs.) Dynamics of Biblical Change (3 hrs.) Elective (3 hrs.) |
Systematic Theology 4 (3 hrs.) Elementary Hebrew 2 (3 hrs.) Methods of Biblical Change (3 hrs.) Electives (3 hrs.) |
Practical Internship (3 Hrs.) |
| 4 | Pastoral Theology (3 hrs.) Hebrew Exegesis and Reading (3 hrs.) Elective (3 hrs.) |
Hebrew Reading (3 hrs.) |
|
| 5 | MDIV Thesis - Fall (2 hrs.) |
MDIV Thesis - Spring (3 hrs.) Senior Seminar (1 hr.) |