Master of Divinity (MDiv)

Master of Divinity

Partnering with churches to train ministry leaders formed in the way of the Lord, by the word of the Lord, for ministry to the people of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord, for the sake of the world.

Purpose

Because God, through the gospel and by His Spirit, is forming the image of Christ in the followers of Christ within the Church of Christ, TEDS, in partnership with local churches, offers the Master of Divinity to individuals as they clarify and cultivate God’s calling on their lives to prepare them for a life of…

• Loving a holy God and caring for people.
• Joyfully learning the way of the Lord through a deep understanding and internalization of God’s word in the evangelical tradition.
• Skillfully shepherding God’s people in the worship of God and obedience to His ways.
• Critically and creatively engaging with the formative power of culture as a crucial element in effective gospel ministry and cross‐cultural mission.

Program Outcomes

Students graduating with a Master of Divinity degree will be:

Grounded in Scripture and the Gospel:

Graduates will be able to:

• Understand the Gospel and articulate its implications according to Christian orthodoxy and historic evangelical convictions.
• Study the Old and New Testaments in their original languages and with a knowledge of the original context.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Scripture as the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be measured.
• Appropriate the teaching of Scripture for the challenges faced by themselves, the church, and society.

Growing in Christian Maturity and Faithfulness

Graduates will be able to: 

• Account for their humanity and identity in Christ in light of the redemptive story of Scripture.
• Cultivate personal and ecclesial practices for spiritual growth in dependence upon God’s grace.
• Discern how to faithfully live and serve with moral vision in their lives and ministries.
• Demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in their relationships.

Equipped for Leadership and Pastoral Ministry

Graduates will be able to:

• Articulate a biblical vision for their ministry contexts, engaging the multifaceted challenges of ministry with integrity.
• Care skillfully and compassionately for people, churches, and communities.
• Educate, equip, and lead individuals and churches toward Christian maturity.
• Plan and lead Christian gatherings appropriate to their ministry context.

Able to Engage with a Diverse World for the Sake of the Gospel

Graduates will be able to:

• Partner boldly, yet humbly, in God’s historical‐redemptive mission in the world.
• Engage across cultures, critically reflecting on their own biases and seeking to learn from others.
• Understand and assess their context and culture in order to participate in ministry and society with emotional and cultural intelligence.

MDiv Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements described in the Admissions section of the catalog, the following further requirements are specific to the Master of Divinity program:

• The applicant’s undergraduate grade point average must be a minimum of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; however, since GPA is not always an accurate indication of an applicant’s abilities for graduate work, those with a lower GPA are encouraged to consult with our admissions counselors. Alternative evaluation is sometimes possible, as is admission status that will permit the applicant to demonstrate the ability to do graduate work.
• Scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT)  are required for applicants whose undergraduate GPA is less than 2.5 and are required upon request from the Admission Office for others.
• A demonstrated working knowledge of the content of the English Bible by either
  • Passing the OT section of the Standard Bible Content Test¹ or completing OT 5001 and OT 5002.
  • Passing the NT section of the Standard Bible Content Test¹ or completing NT 5001 and NT 5002.

¹

Note: Complete the Standard Bible Content Test (SBCT) online by logging in to myTIU > Academics > Exams for the instruction sheet. One must pass OT or NT sections of the SBCT at 70 percent or above (sections graded separately). If a section is failed, it may be taken only one additional time. If failed a second time, enrollment in the requisite Introduction to the Old/New Testament courses is required. The SBCT measures biblical competency at a level approximate to a Bible college undergraduate or strong evangelical Bible program in a liberal arts undergraduate college.

In every case, this demonstration of English Bible content knowledge must occur prior to enrolling in canon courses (OT 6261, OT 6262, OT 6263, OT 6264, NT 6261, NT 6262, NT 6263, NT 6264).

Prior Language Preparation

For those who have complete prior study in Greek or Hebrew, TEDS offers proficiency exams in both languages. These exams are offered to enrolled students at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters.

Students who pass the Hebrew proficiency exam with a grade of C or better will be eligible to register for OT 5251 Hebrew Exegesis 1. These students will receive advanced standing without credit for OT 5131, OT 5132, and OT 5133 and will be able to substitute electives in place of these courses in the MDiv curriculum.

Students who pass the Greek proficiency exam with a grade of C or better will be eligible to register for NT 5251 Greek Exegesis 1. These students will receive advanced standing without credit for NT 5131, NT 5132, and NT 5133 and will be able to substitute electives in place of these courses in the MDiv curriculum.

Registration for the Hebrew and Greek proficiency exams may be completed online in myTIU.

MDiv Residency Requirement

There is no residency requirement for the MDiv. However, remote learners are strongly encouraged to spend time on the Bannockburn campus either by way of modular courses or intensive courses in order to have a fuller Trinity experience.

The final 8 hours must be taken through Trinity.

MDiv Statute of Limitation

All Master of Divinity program requirements must be completed within eight years of matriculation into the program. Petition to extend the statute of limitation may be made by a student to the Academic Exceptions Committee.

MDiv Candidacy Requirements

Admission to the Master of Divinity program must be followed by achievement of candidacy for the degree. A minimum of 25 hours in the program and good academic standing are prerequisites to achieving candidacy. The student should normally attain candidacy by the end of the third semester of full-time study (or its equivalent, approximately 45 hours).

Electronic forms are used to track student progress toward fulfilling candidacy requirements. The candidacy process is designed to encourage active student learning and development, as well as assess the appropriateness of the student’s vocational goals in light of evident character, gifts, and abilities. The process is as follows:

• During the first semester of studies, students are to begin completing the candidacy requirements stipulated by the MDiv Program Office. Initial requirements include completing a Ministry Track Declaration and the 1^st Candidacy Interview (the first of two candidacy interviews with their faculty advisor). Students not completing these initial steps of the candidacy process by 25 hours may not register for further coursework.
• As one of the course requirements for PT 5100, students will develop a Personal and Professional Development Plan to be submitted with their 2^nd Candidacy Interview form.
• Two semesters of ID 5080 participation is required as part of the MDiv candidacy process. It is strongly recommended that this requirement be completed in the first two semesters for full-time students
• After completing two semesters of Formation Group, students will write and submit a Development Plan Progress Report (with their Personal and Professional Development Plan attached) per instructions provided by the MDiv Program Office and initiate the 2^nd Candidacy Interview (the second formal interview with the faculty advisor).
• Following the second interview, the Student Formation Committee review the recommendations from candidacy interviews, academic status, and related student files. MDiv candidacy will then either be granted or the prospective candidate will be contacted with any pending questions or conditions related to candidacy.

MDiv students not achieving candidacy by 60 hours (45 hours for AP MDiv students) may not register for further coursework.

If candidacy has been deferred, consultation must be made with the Director of the MDiv Program until pending questions related to readiness for candidacy are resolved. Failure to achieve candidacy may result in dismissal from a program or expulsion from the institution.

Should serious concerns regarding a student’s fitness for vocational ministry be raised subsequent to the granting of candidacy, candidacy may be revoked. The Director of the MDiv Program and the Student Formation Committee will investigate grounds for these concerns and provide the student an opportunity to address them. If, upon further consideration, the Student Formation Committee decides to revoke candidacy, appeal may be made to the TEDS’ Academic Dean, whose decision is final.

MDiv Graduation Requirements

The following requirements must be completed to earn the Master of Divinity degree:

• Complete the General Graduation Requirements for all master’s programs.
• Complete 90 semester hours required by the MDiv program (or AP MDiv) with a minimum cumulative grade point average for program course work of 2.0, with no course work below a “C-” applicable to the degree.
• Complete all internship requirements.
• Complete two semesters of ID 5080.
• Complete all requirements for MDiv candidacy.
• Exemplify the character, emotional stability, maturity, and leadership ability that are essential to effective service in Christian ministry.

The curriculum begins in Scripture and Interpretation, our source for understanding how to develop effective ministry practice. The curriculum moves to Theology and Tradition, our considered formulations of biblical truth into a coherent theological framework. Next, the curriculum explores Worldview and Culture, our understanding and relation to God’s world. The curriculum culminates in Ministries and Practices, our theologically rooted skills and practices, in which students choose from one of six different foci for specialization in applied ministry skills. Additional elective hours provide opportunity for participants to further design a program suited to their ministry calling. The curriculum begins in biblical theology and culminates in a capstone seminar designed to address specific issues in ministry, thus moving from biblical foundations to ministry practice.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Introduction to Theological Education
ID 5000	Biblical Theology and Interpretation	2
God's Word
NT 5131	Beginning Greek 1	2
NT 5132	Beginning Greek 2	2
NT 5133	Beginning Greek 3	2
NT 5251	Greek Exegesis 1	2
NT 5252	Greek Exegesis 2	2
NT 6261	Interpreting the Synoptics	2
NT 6262	Interpreting Pauline Epistles	2
NT 6263	Interpreting Acts and General Epistles	2
NT 6264	Interpreting Johannine Literature	2
OT 5131	Elementary Hebrew 1	2
OT 5132	Elementary Hebrew 2	2
OT 5133	Elementary Hebrew 3	2
OT 5251	Hebrew Exegesis 1	2
OT 5252	Hebrew Exegesis 2	2
OT 6261	Interpreting the Pentateuch	2
OT 6262	Interpreting the Former Prophets	2
OT 6263	Interpreting the Latter Prophets	2
OT 6264	Interpreting the Writings	2
God's People
CH 5061	History of Christianity 1. The Patristic and Middle Ages	2
CH 5062	History of Christianity 2. The Age of Reform	2
CH 5063	History of Christianity 3. The Modern Age	2
EM 5110	Educational Ministry	2
HM 6200	Theology and Methodology of Biblical Preaching	2
HM 6201	Preaching Lab	2
PT 5100	Spiritual Formation for Ministry	2
PT 6280	Christian Worship	2
ST 5211	Theology 1: The God of the Gospel: From the Father	2
ST 5212	Theology 2: The God of the Gospel: Through the Son	2
ST 5213	Theology 3: The God of the Gospel: In the Holy Spirit	2
God's World
CM 5000	Introduction to Counseling Ministries	2
ID 5080	Formation Group ((two semesters))	0
ME 5001	Evangelism and the Local Church	2
ST 5600	The Christian Life and Contemporary Challenges	2
ST 7200	Christian Ethics	2
PT 7481	Internship 1	2
PT 7482	Internship 2	2
Electives
Open Electives		4
Tracks
Select one of the three Tracks below		14
Total Hours		90

Tracks

Church and Parachurch Ministry

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
CM 6000	Issues in Counseling Ministries	2
EM 6110	Christian Leadership	2
HM 6XXX	Preaching Elective	2
ID 6500	Understanding the Social and Cultural Contexts of Ministry	2
ME 5000	Global Mission and the Local Church	2
PT 7290	Pastoral Practices	2
ST 82XX	Advanced ST Course	2
Total Hours		14

Academic Ministry       

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
EM 5125	Teaching and Learning	2
ID 6500	Understanding the Social and Cultural Contexts of Ministry	2
ID 8100	Scholarship and the Christian Mind	2
ME 5000	Global Mission and the Local Church	2
ST 82XX	Advanced ST Course	2
Open Electives		4
Total Hours		14

Mission and Cultural Engagement

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
EM 6110	Christian Leadership	2
ID 6500	Understanding the Social and Cultural Contexts of Ministry	2
or ME 6610	Anthropology for Ministry
ME 6760	Theology of Mission & Evangelism	2
ME 7710	Gospel in Cultural Context	2
ME Electives		6
Total Hours		14

AP MDiv Purpose

The Advanced Placement MDiv (AP MDiv) is designed for graduates of an accredited Bible college or Christian liberal arts school who seek to build on an undergraduate ministry degree to complete the MDiv at TEDS, and provides opportunity to take additional advanced electives. To qualify, applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree in a field related to Christian ministry, pre‐seminary studies, biblical studies, or theological studies in the past five years and have undergraduate coursework to satisfy Trinity prerequisites for the AP MDiv program (outlined below). Applicants with 14 or more hours of prerequisite deficiencies are not eligible for the AP MDiv but may apply to the standard MDiv program.

The requirements for the AP MDiv are the same as the regular MDiv, except as noted below.

AP MDiv Additional Requirements for Admission

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in Pre-Seminary Studies, Christian or Pastoral Ministry, or a similar Christian ministry-based degree during the previous five years
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher with a grade of “B” or better in each required prerequisite course
• Documentation of completion of specific prerequisite courses below from the bachelor’s program
  Applicants must complete the AP MDiv Supplemental Application (found online at https://www.tiu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/TEDSAPMDivSupplementalApp-MDiv_2017.pdf) describing completed course work.

Required Prerequisites

• Church history or history elective covering the broad scope of the history of the Christian church, from Acts to today: 6 hours
• Pastoral counseling, including lab counseling experiences: 3 hours
• Christian education or educational ministries in the local church: 3 hours
• Christian mission: 2‐3 hours
• Evangelism: 2‐3 hours
• Christian worldview & contemporary challenges core to Christian claims and responses to those challenges: 2‐3 hours
• Biblical or systematic theology covering the scope of theology: 6 hours
• Students with three or more years of full‐time ministry experience may apply for a waiver of internship requirements. See the Office of Supervised Ministries for details.

Optional Prerequisites

For applicants who majored in Biblical or Theological studies and who do not fulfill all required prerequisites, up to 6 hours of advanced Bible and/or theology courses (300‐400 level) may be credited to the AP MDiv program as electives. Please note; however, that the total hours of prerequisites (required and optional) cannot exceed 25 hours. (Most students will not receive more than 14 hours of prerequisite credits.)

Recommended

Biblical Greek language: 6‐8 hours (two years)

Applicants with prerequisite deficiencies must complete the TEDS graduate‐level MDiv course in addition to the required 76‐hour curricula. All prerequisite deficiencies will be clearly articulated in the letter of admission. Advanced standing for credit is not available in this program. Transfer coursework is generally not accepted in the AP MDiv.

Note: A student accepted in the AP MDiv program and later opting to change programs must complete Admissions Requirements and Program Prerequisites for the new program. AP MDiv waivers are not transferable.

AP MDiv Program Requirements

Initial Program Placement

Applicants who have completed undergraduate coursework in Greek or Hebrew must take the TEDS Greek and/or Hebrew proficiency exams for language placement. AP MDiv students are not required to take the Standard Bible Content Test as the criterion for English Bible competency is met through the undergraduate program.

Required Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Introduction to Biblical Theology
ID 5000	Biblical Theology and Interpretation	2
God's Word
NT 5251	Greek Exegesis 1	2
NT 5252	Greek Exegesis 2	2
NT 6261	Interpreting the Synoptics	2
NT 6262	Interpreting Pauline Epistles	2
NT 6263	Interpreting Acts and General Epistles	2
NT 6264	Interpreting Johannine Literature	2
OT 5131	Elementary Hebrew 1	2
OT 5132	Elementary Hebrew 2	2
OT 5133	Elementary Hebrew 3	2
OT 5251	Hebrew Exegesis 1	2
OT 5252	Hebrew Exegesis 2	2
OT 6261	Interpreting the Pentateuch	2
OT 6262	Interpreting the Former Prophets	2
OT 6263	Interpreting the Latter Prophets	2
OT 6264	Interpreting the Writings	2
God's People
HM 6200	Theology and Methodology of Biblical Preaching	2
HM 6201	Preaching Lab	2
PT 5100	Spiritual Formation for Ministry	2
PT 6280	Christian Worship	2
God's World
ID 5080	Formation Group (two semesters)	0
PT 7481	Internship 1	2
PT 7482	Internship 2	2
ST 5600	The Christian Life and Contemporary Challenges	2
ST 7200	Christian Ethics	2
Electives
Open Electives 1		16
Tracks
Select from one of three Tracks below		12
Total Hours		76

¹

Prerequisite deficiencies cannot apply as electives in the AP MDiv. All AP MDiv electives must be 6000-level or above with the exception of all BE classes, CH 5060, CO 5210, EM 5510, and PT 5155. Exceptions are occasionally granted by the Program Director, but only if the course does not significantly overlap with undergraduate study.

Tracks

Church and Parachurch Ministry

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
CM 6000	Issues in Counseling Ministries	2
EM 6110	Christian Leadership	2
HM 6XXX	Preaching Elective	2
ID 6500	Understanding the Social and Cultural Contexts of Ministry	2
PT 7290	Pastoral Practices	2
ST 82XX	Advanced ST Course	2
Total Hours		12

Academic Ministry       

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
EM 5125	Teaching and Learning	2
ID 6500	Understanding the Social and Cultural Contexts of Ministry	2
ID 8100	Scholarship and the Christian Mind	2
ST 82XX	Advanced ST Course	2
Open Electives		4
Total Hours		12

Mission and Cultural Engagement

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
EM 6110	Christian Leadership	2
ID 6500	Understanding the Social and Cultural Contexts of Ministry	2
or ME 6610	Anthropology for Ministry
ME 6760	Theology of Mission & Evangelism	2
ME 7710	Gospel in Cultural Context	2
ME Electives		4
Total Hours		12

Suggested MDiv Course Sequence

Detailed suggested course sequences are available to students through the MDiv Program Office (online at MyTIU) and address a number of typical student scenarios. In general, those entering the MDiv with all prerequisites met can anticipate approximately three years of full‐time study to complete the program. Those needing to complete prerequisites during their program can anticipate approximately four years. Students admitted to the AP MDiv without deficiencies (i.e., having all prerequisites completed) will generally find it feasible to complete the program in six consecutive semesters (including summers).

Upon admission, students are encouraged to consult with the Academic Handbook, the MDiv Program Office (for resources and advisement), their formation group leader, and student colleagues. Note also particular course descriptions and catalog curricula, including any course prerequisites. Projected course schedules are published on MyTIU as soon as available. The intense period of MDiv internship near the end of the program when accompanied by additional ministry responsibilities often lengthen a student’s program.