Graduate Studies in Theology

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Hazelip School of Theology

• Doctor of Ministry
• Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
• Master of Divinity
• Master of Theological Studies
• Graduate Studies Certificate in Pastoral Care and Self Care
• Graduate Studies Certificate in Discipleship and Mission

C. Leonard Allen, Dean, College of Bible and Ministry
Frank Guertin, Assistant Dean and Director, Hazelip School of Theology
John York, Associate Dean and Director, Doctor of Ministry

Core Faculty

Phillip Camp, Professor of Old Testament
Lee Camp, Professor of Theology
Frank Guertin, Assistant Professor of Theology
John Mark Hicks, Professor of Theology
John O. York, Professor of Ministry and New Testament

Other Participating Faculty

Mark Black, Professor of New Testament
Terry Briley, Professor of Old Testament
David Fleer, Professor of Homiletics
Earl Lavender, Professor of Theology and Ministry
Kris Miller, Associate Professor of Theology
Josh Strahan, Associate Professor of Bible

The Mission of the Hazelip School of Theology

The mission of the Hazelip School of Theology is to support learning that integrates intellectual formation, pastoral leadership, and character development. We believe these three areas must interact richly in the seminary experience so that our students are well prepared to live out their calling in whatever context they serve.

In light of this vision, the seminary experience at Hazelip focuses on these student-centered outcomes:

• A robust theological imagination rooted deeply in Scripture and shaped by the broad Christian tradition
• Formational habits that support a life of ministry
• Organization building skills sustained by Christian understandings of leadership
• Relationship building skills that nurture forms of authentic community
• Reflective habits which illuminate the complexities of people-centered ministry

No matter what degree program students pursue at Hazelip, they can expect to grow in these abilities. The integrity of our academic offerings is measured by how prepared our students are for the challenges of today’s ministry.

Hazelip instructors take advantage of multiple venues for learning. Students engage in traditional classroom settings, online platforms, and on-site contexts so that they can practically and creatively engage the complex realities of Christian ministry. Students at Hazelip benefit from formative conversations with spiritual directors, coaches, and ministry mentors alongside teaching faculty.

The first graduate Bible degree at Lipscomb was offered in 1983. In 2005, the university named the graduate theology department in honor of former Lipscomb President Harold Hazelip. In 2010, the school was admitted into the Association of Theological Schools as a full member.  

The Churches of Christ continue to be a primary constituency for the Hazelip School of Theology. About half of our students come from this heritage. The students at Hazelip also represent a broader range of Christian traditions which reflects the Christian diversity in Middle Tennessee. Thus our key theological commitments reflect an awareness of our own history as well as other voices within our learning community.

Six core commitments shape all we do:

We are centered on the mission of God.

The Bible reveals the mission of God to bring all things in heaven and earth into unity under Christ, reconciling them through his incarnation, earthly ministry, death on the cross, and resurrection. God is transforming the creation broken by sin and evil into the new creation in which there is no more sin or curse. The Father is the great initiator, sender, and goal of the mission. The Son is the redemptive embodiment of God’s mission. And the Holy Spirit is the empowering presence of God as this mission unfolds in the world. The church’s mission on earth is to serve the mission of God; and the mission of theological education is to equip men and women for the mission of the church.

We are focused on formation in Christ.

We understand the Christian life to entail following the risen Christ, in the power of the Spirit, to the praise and glory of God the Father. Spiritual formation is our steady response to God’s grace shaping us into the likeness of Jesus Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit, in the community of faith, for the sake of the world. We seek to integrate this formation throughout our curriculum.

We are grounded in Scripture.

We affirm the divine inspiration, truthfulness, and authority of Old and New Testament Scriptures as the Word of God, spoken and composed through human authors in their own cultural settings. We believe that the Holy Spirit works through and quickens these words, making Scripture a living and powerful word.

We are committed to the broad and deep center of the Christian faith.

We declare our belief in and commitment to the unifying core of beliefs insisted upon by the majority of the early church fathers and reaffirmed by the central tradition of the faith over the centuries. We affirm this common consensus as it is found in the Apostles Creed.

We are passionate about the gospel.

The core of our identity is our passion for the good news of the saving work of God through Jesus Christ. The gospel is the announcement that God, through Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and enthronement, is overcoming all the powers of this world in order to establish fully God’s rule of justice and peace “on earth as in heaven.”

We support those called to ministry.

We believe that the community of faith-the church-is the central means of carrying out God’s mission in the world. In these communities all are called to be ministers. As we follow Jesus into the water of baptism, so we take up the ministry of Jesus as communities of faith. Within these communities some are gifted as equipping ministers, empowering the church to live out the “fullness of Christ.” We are committed to equipping such leaders for God’s mission.

We are engaged with culture.

Wherever the gospel is proclaimed and people experience conversion, the way of Christ gets “translated” into new cultures. The North American culture in which we live is postmodern, post-denominational, and increasingly post-Christian. It presents new and sharp challenges, and we seek to engage it with cross-cultural sensitivity as we learn to think and act like missionaries.

Doctor of Ministry

The Doctor of Ministry in missional and spiritual formation degree prepares ministry leaders for service in public and private organizations and academic settings. As a three-year program, it features a cohort model that combines multiple learning venues with on site, online and field-based course work.

The program consists of 36 credit hours. During the first two years, 28 hours are theory and practice courses and two hours are research specific. The third year covers the final six hours of the program and involves a practical, collaborative capstone project which addresses real research questions in authentic settings.

Admission Standards

Hazelip School of Theology’s Doctor of Ministry program follows A.T.S. admission standards, where entrance to the D.Min. program requires the possession of a board-approved M.Div. degree or its educational equivalent. Ministerial experience is not considered the equivalent of or a substitute for the M.Div. degree.

When one applies to the seminary’s D.Min. program with a master’s degree other than the M.Div. degree, the program director or member of the D.Min. program’s administrative staff performs an M.Div. equivalency evaluation to assess the degree to which the applicant’s educational background meets the educational equivalent of the M.Div. degree. If it is determined that the applicant’s educational background does not meet M.Div. equivalency and falls short by no more than 30 semester hours, a list of suggested leveling courses is provided, which, when completed, would satisfy A.T.S. standards. Meeting M.Div. equivalency does not result in the conferral of the M.Div. degree. Its sole purpose is to qualify the applicant for admission to the D.Min. program.

When a student has 18 hours or less of leveling course work required, entrance into the D.Min. program may be granted at the discretion of the admissions committee. Students who begin the D. Min. with leveling course requirements must complete the equivalency requirement before beginning the third residency module.

Transfer of Credit

Due to the nature of the program, all students are encouraged to take all of the course work within the program. Exceptions will be made, based on the similarity of content and competencies learned, for up to six hours from another accredited doctoral level program.

Documentation

Students are required to provide satisfactory documentation of personal identification for off-site learning experiences required in many programs of graduate study at Lipscomb University. Failure to provide proper credentials will result in failure to complete the desired course of study. For complete policy, see section entitled Documentation  in the opening section of this catalog.

Admission Policies and Procedures (D.Min)

Applicants to the Hazelip School’s Doctor of Ministry program must submit the following:

1. Application Form. Each applicant must complete an application form. The application form is available at lipscomb.edu/admissions/graduate then click on “Apply by Program” to complete the online application.
2. Application Fee. Each application should be accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Pay the fee online or mail a check to Hazelip School of Theology, Doctor of Ministry program, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204-3951.
3. References. Letters of reference are required as follows: one from a university professor or administrator, one from a church leader or minister and one from professional supervisor/employer.
4. Documentation of full-time participation in ministry. A minimum of three years’ experience is required after completion of the M.Div. degree. This documentation includes a written endorsement of the applicant’s admission to the D.Min. program from his or her church or parachurch organization.
5. Official Transcript(s). Each applicant must submit an official transcript, showing degree conferral when appropriate, from all schools attended. If you need a transcript from Lipscomb University, go to the Office of the Registrar’s site in order to request one. They can send your transcript through campus mail, but we cannot request it for you.
6. Possession of appropriate writing skills. Applicants must submit a writing sample (e.g., an academic paper or a recently published article) to be evaluated by the D.Min. program director or member of the program’s faculty. Writing samples are evaluated on the basis of form (demonstrating a basic grasp of the mechanics of good writing) and content (demonstrating the ability to engage in critical thinking).
7. Health Form. Each applicant must submit a completed health form signed by a health care provider. (To print a copy of the health form, visit www.lipscomb.edu/healthcenter/forms.) This form must be submitted directly to Lipscomb’s Health Center.
8. FERPA. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords students certain rights of access to educational records; even those who are independent of parents must submit this form to the registrar’s office prior to enrollment.
9. TOEFL. The Test of English as a Foreign Language, with a score or at least 550, is required for international students. (See section titled International Students  for more information.)
10. Formal Interview. Once all application materials have been reviewed, applicants will be contacted for an on-site interview.

The application process is completed online. All application items should be submitted online or via mail (no later than 30 days before the beginning of the cohort in which the student plans to enroll). Transcripts can be mailed to: Graduate Admissions, 1 University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204-3951 or emailed to gradadmissions@lipscomb.edu.

All requirements detailed for the D.Min. program are in addition to existing requirements for Graduate Studies in Theology. Any instances of substitution for existing requirements are noted.

Academic Policies

Degree Completion Requirements (D.Min.) (36 hours)

All students in the Doctor of Ministry program are required to satisfactorily:

1. Complete four residency modules with required course work (28 hours)
2. Complete two research courses (2 hours)
3. Complete any required leveling course work (maximum of 18 hours) before the beginning of the 3rd residency module
4. Complete the Project/Thesis (six hours, completed in consultation with the student’s advisor)
5. Complete the Project Oral Defense

Statute of Limitations

All requirements for the D.Min. degree must be completed within a five-year period from the time of initial matriculation.

Candidacy

The Doctor of Ministry is a formational degree that requires students to make progress in their academic, personal and professional development. Therefore, students will be required to apply for candidacy after the first residency module (eight hours). Students should submit the candidacy status form and related materials to the doctor of ministry office. Students must be approved prior to beginning second-year studies.

Minimum Credits

The D.Min. requires 36 semester hours.

Minimum GPA

The minimum cumulative grade-point average for all theology degree programs is 3.00 for all graduate courses taken for graduate credit while pursuing the degree. No grade below a “C” is acceptable. Such grades will not apply toward degree completion.

Course Load

A student enrolled for six hours is considered a full-time student. A student enrolled for less than six hours is considered a part-time student. Students will not be permitted to enroll for more than 12 hours per semester during the fall or spring semesters, or nine hours during the summer semester, without first obtaining special permission from the program director.

Academic Standing

1. Good Academic Standing: To remain in good academic standing, the student must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA and a 3.0 GPA on the most recent 12 semester hours of work. Theology 257Theology

2. Probation: Should the student’s cumulative graduate GPA fall below 3.0, he or she will be placed on academic probation. A student on academic probation will not be allowed to enroll for more than six hours during any term in which the probation applies. The probationary student is required to achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA by the time the student has completed the next nine hours of course work. Courses may be repeated to achieve the requisite GPA. If the requisite GPA is attained, the academic probation status will be removed.

3. Suspension: If the requisite GPA is not attained, the student will be suspended from graduate studies at Lipscomb for the following semester, after which the student may apply for readmission. The student may be required to appear before an academic graduate committee. A graduate course in which a student has earned a “C” or “F” may be repeated. In such cases, only the higher grade will be used to compute the student’s GPA. Failing grades will provide no credit toward the degree but will be included in determining scholarship level, unless replaced with a higher grade by repeating the course(s).

4. Appeals: Appeals to suspension decisions should be made in writing to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. Appeals must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the Monday of the week before classes begin for the term during which the student wishes to be readmitted.

Graduation

Students must register for GN 999X the semester in which all course work will be completed for graduation. Students who do not file their intent to graduate form in the Registrar’s Office by the end of the first week of their last semester may be delayed in graduating. Graduate students receiving degrees are hooded during the May and Dec. commencement exercises.

Appeals

Any exceptions to the above stated requirements would require approval by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs in collaboration with the Dean of the College and the Program Director.

Financial Information (D.Min.)

Tuition and Fees for 2019-20

Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, and Master of Christian Ministry (M.Div., M.T.S., M.A.C.M.)

Our most comprehensive degree, the Master of Divinity, is traditionally considered to provide the best preparation for ministry. It is required for ordination in many religious bodies, as well as for service in fields such as chaplaincy.

The M.Div. at the Hazelip School of Theology has two formats, traditional and cohort.  The cohort model emphasizes communal learning and extended experiences of field work.  The traditional model provides more customization through electives, allowing students to pursue a variety of interests according to their callings.

The Master of Theological Studies degree provides a basic understanding of theological disciplines for further graduate study, for teaching or for general educational purposes.

The Master of Arts in Christian ministry degree equips persons for competent leadership in Christian ministry in congregations and other settings.  There are three formats for the M.A.C.M., traditional, LIFE (hosted at the Tennessee Prison for Women), and a competency-based approach hosted in partnering congregations.

Admission Policies and Procedures (M.Div., M.T.S., M.A.C.M.)

Applicants to Hazelip School of Theology must submit the following:

1. Application Form. Each applicant must complete an application form. The application form is available at lipscomb.edu/admissions/graduate then click on “Apply by Program” to complete the online application.
2. Application Fee. Each application should be accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee ($75 for international students).
3. References. Letters of reference are required as follows: one from a college or university administrator or professor, one from a professional supervisor/employer and one from a church leader or minister.
4. Official Transcript(s). Each applicant must submit an official transcript, showing degree conferral when appropriate, from every school attended.
5. Degree. Each applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
6. Minimum GPA. Each applicant must have earned at least a 2.75 GPA in an undergraduate degree or graduate degree.
7. Health Form. Each applicant must submit a completed health form signed by a health care provider. To print a copy of the health form, visit www.lipscomb.edu/healthcenter/forms. This form must be submitted directly to Lipscomb’s Health Center.
8. FERPA. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords students certain rights of access to educational records. Even those who are independent of parents must submit this form prior to enrollment.
9. Self-Evaluation Essay. A 750-1000-word essay is required which discusses the applicant’s religious heritage, career goals and how Hazelip School of Theology might contribute to the achievement of those pursuits.
10. TOEFL. The Test of English as a Foreign Language is required for international students. (See section titled International Students  for more information.)

The application process is completed online. All application materials should be submitted online or via mail at least three weeks prior to the first day of class in which the student plans to enroll. Transcripts can be mailed to: Graduate Admissions, 1 University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204-3951 or emailed to gradadmissions@lipscomb.edu.

Student Classifications

Students are admitted to graduate courses in one of five categories:

1. Graduate Student: one who has satisfied all admissions requirements. A student with an incomplete admission file will be accepted to the program at the discretion of the program director but will be placed on an Academic Hold which will prevent registration for the following semester. Once the proper admissions documents have been received, the hold will be removed and the student will be allowed to register for the following semester.
   1. Degree. Each applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
   2. Minimum GPA. Each applicant must have earned at least a 2.75 GPA in an undergraduate degree or graduate degree.
2. Conditionally Admitted Student: one who has been admitted conditionally, at the discretion of the program director, without satisfying all admission requirements. Students admitted with the following criteria will be required to complete a minimum of nine hours of graduate work with a grade of “B” or above before the conditional admission is removed.
   1. A student from an unaccredited school or with a substandard GPA.
   2. A transfer student with a graduate GPA between 2.50 and 2.74. The transfer student must be in good standing at the previous institution attended.
   3. A student who has not completed a bachelor’s degree program. The transfer student must be in good standing at the previous institution attended.
3. Non-Degree Student: one who has been admitted to graduate studies and has met all admission requirements except GPA. The student may take up to nine semester hours for graduate credit. Those hours may be applied toward a master’s degree if the student makes a grade of “B” or better in the courses taken for credit and if all admission requirements (GPA) are met and the student is formally admitted to a graduate program as a degree-seeking student.

4. Visiting Student: one who is currently enrolled as a student in good standing at the post-bachelor’s level at another graduate school, wishes to take courses at Lipscomb and desires to have transcript evidence of course work done at Lipscomb provided for the school of primary enrollment.

5. Probationary Student: one who has been readmitted to a graduate program following academic suspension from the program.

Admission to a program does not imply admission to candidacy for the master’s degree. Only those students who meet the requirements for “graduate student” described above are eligible for candidacy.

Transfer of Courses

Graduate credit hours may be transferred from another ATS-accredited institution. A maximum of 12 hours will be counted toward the M.A.C.M., a maximum of 21 hours towards the M.T.S., and a maximum of 48 hours for the M.Div. degree. The director or appropriate faculty member of the graduate program will evaluate the course(s) being proposed for transfer and make a determination of suitability. No course with a grade below a “B” will be considered for transfer. No more than half of a student’s hours from a completed degree may be transferred.

Students may also transfer credits between programs at the Hazelip School of Theology if a change of program is desired.  Differences in the curriculum may affect how many credits are applicable to a new program of study.  Students should consult with the director of the school for more information on the process. 

Special consideration for course waiver may be given the student who has special study and/or experience in a given subject area. The waiver will be by means of an examination that is passed with a grade of “B” or better. A $170 fee is charged for each examination taken. A maximum of six hours may be waived by examination. Arrangements for a waiver are to be made through the graduate studies office. No graduate credit is awarded. See “Special Considerations ” in front of catalog.

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing may be granted for as many as one-fifth of the total hours required for the M.Div. degree. Only those who have prior theological education from outstanding regionally-accredited colleges and universities will qualify. Any course for which advanced standing is granted must be a reasonable substitute for the course required by the Hazelip School of Theology, and the student must have gained an “A” or a “B.” The granting of such credit is subject to the decision of the HST director and faculty assessor.

The examination process is oral.  Graduate faculty will assess the student’s competency in each subject area.  An oral examination may last up to two hours, depending upon how many courses are being assessed.  The student will be informed at the end of the examination if they have demonstrated a satisfactory comprehension of the content areas.  Graduate credit will then be granted on the student’s transcript accordingly.  The fee for each course being assessed is $170.

The following graduate courses are typically granted credit in the advanced standing process:

GB 5483 - Introduction to Theology
GB 5603 - Introduction to Ministry
GB 5083 - Old Testament Critical Interpretation
GB 5093 - New Testament Critical Interpretation
GB 5493 - Global Christianity
GB 5043 - Biblical Hebrew I or GB 5033 - Biblical Greek I

Faculty at the Hazelip School of Theology will assess which undergraduate coursework is suitable for potential credit.  The student will be notified before the examination which undergraduate courses are being considered and how they correspond with the graduate courses listed above.

Documentation

Students are required to provide satisfactory documentation of personal identification for off-site learning experiences required in many programs of graduate study at Lipscomb University. Failure to provide proper credentials will result in failure to complete the desired course of study. For complete policy, see section entitled Required Documentation for Off-Site Learning Experiences  in the opening section of this catalog.

Academic Policies (M.Div., M.T.S., M.A.C.M.)

Course Load

A student enrolled for six hours is considered a full-time student. A student enrolled for less than six hours is considered a part-time student. Students will not be permitted to enroll for more than 12 hours per semester during the fall or spring semesters, or nine hours during the summer semester, without first obtaining special permission from the program director.

Academic Standing

1. Good Academic Standing: To remain in good academic standing, the student must maintain a cumulative 2.75 GPA and a 2.75 GPA on the most recent 12 semester hours of work.
2. Probation: Should the student’s cumulative graduate GPA fall below 2.75, he or she will be placed on academic probation. A student on academic probation will not be allowed to enroll for more than six hours during any term in which the probation applies.
   The probationary student is required to achieve a 2.75 cumulative GPA by the time the student has completed the next nine hours of course work. Courses may be repeated to achieve the requisite GPA. If the requisite GPA is attained, the academic probation status will be removed.
3. Suspension: If the requisite GPA is not attained, the student will be suspended from graduate studies at Lipscomb for the following semester, after which the student may apply for readmission. The student may be required to appear before an academic graduate committee.
   A graduate course in which a student has earned a “C” or “F” may be repeated. In such cases, only the higher grade will be used to compute the student’s GPA. Failing grades will provide no credit toward the degree but will be included in determining scholarship level, unless replaced with a higher grade by repeating the course(s). A 2.75 GPA must be maintained to be eligible for financial assistance.
4. Appeals: Appeals to suspension decisions should be made in writing to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. Appeals must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the Monday of the week before classes begin for the term during which the student wishes to be readmitted.

Degree Completion Requirements (M.Div., M.T.S., M.A.C.M.)

Residency

Students are required to earn at least 24 hours on campus for the M.Div. and 12 hours on campus for the M.A.C.M.

Statute of Limitations

All requirements for the M.Div. degree should be completed within a 10-year period from the time of initial matriculation. All requirements for the M.T.S. or M.A.C.M. degrees must be completed within a 10-year period from the time of initial matriculation.

Candidacy

Admission to a program does not imply admission to candidacy for the master’s degree. During the course of pursuing the theology degree, the student must be admitted to “candidacy.” For admission to candidacy the student must satisfy the following:

1. Complete all required undergraduate deficiencies if admitted conditionally.

2. Complete at least 12 hours of graduate work.

3. Maintain a 2.75 GPA on all courses taken toward the requirements for the degree with no incomplete grades.

4. File a degree plan/application for candidacy in the graduate program office which meets all requirements and is approved by the administrator of the graduate program and the dean of the college. The degree plan must be filed at the same time that an “application for candidacy” is filed.

After admission to candidacy and approval of the degree plan, any changes in the degree plan must be approved by the director of the graduate program. The application for candidacy should be filed after the student has completed 12 hours in the program.

Thesis

Students may write a thesis for the M.Div. or M.T.S. degree on a creative topic in a field directly related to their studies. The student may register for three hours of thesis work in each of two semesters or the entire six hours of thesis work in a single semester. Guidelines and requirements for theses are available in the Hazelip School of Theology office. Only students with a 3.5 grade point average in their graduate credits are eligible to apply to write a thesis, and the director must approve registration for thesis work.

Comprehensive Examination

A written comprehensive examination is required for candidates of the M.Div. (traditional), M.T.S. and M.A.C.M. degrees. The comprehensive exam is administered once in the fall semester and once in the spring semester. Students intending to graduate in the fall or spring must notify the program director of their intent to take the exam at the beginning of that semester. The student intending to graduate in the summer semester must notify the program director at the beginning of the preceding spring semester. The examination must be completed at least one month before the anticipated graduation date. The examination will be graded on a pass-fail basis.

Students enrolled in the M.Div. (cohort) program will complete a capstone project in the final semester of their field education experience.  This replaces the comprehensive examination.  It is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Minimum Credits

The M.Div. requires 72 semester hours, the M.T.S. requires 48 semester hours, and the M.A.C.M. requires 36 hours, exclusive of hours accumulated to satisfy academic deficiencies.

Minimum GPA

The minimum cumulative grade-point average for all theology degree programs is 2.75 for all graduate courses taken for graduate credit while pursuing the degree. Any grade below “C” is unacceptable and will not apply toward degree completion.

Graduation

Students must register for GN 999X the semester in which all course work will be completed for graduation. Students who do not file their intent to graduate form in the registrar’s office by the end of the first week of their last semester may be delayed in graduating.

Graduate students receiving degrees are hooded during the May and December commencement exercises.

Appeals

Any exceptions to the above stated requirements would require approval by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs in collaboration with the Dean of the College and the Program Director.

Financial Information (M.Div., M.T.S., M.A.C.M.)

Tuition and Fees for 2019-20

Scholarships

The Hazelip School of Theology offers a 25% discount to all of its students thanks to the generosity of donors over the years. Additional scholarship support is also available. Students should consult with the program director and the department’s web site for more information.

Master of Divinity (cohort)
Course Requirements (72 hours)

The Master of Divinity emphasizes the integration of theological learning with the skills needed to address the complex issues encountered in the practice of ministry.  The goals of the program are:  a deeper faith in Jesus Christ and the development of a spirituality that will sustain a life in ministry; competence in the interpretation of the Bible; a critical knowledge of the Christian tradition and abilities to help the church shape its future in light of that tradition; skills to lead the church in mission within a rapidly changing and diverse cultural context; competence to practice day-to-day ministry with integrity.   The cohort model emphasizes communal learning and provides extended experiences of field work.

The initial 18 hours of the degree provide the foundational competencies common to a M.Div. program.  Once completed, students then form cohorts and participate in six residencies over the period of two years.  The courses are delivered in a hybrid format, which means work is done online before each residency and continues after a residency concludes.  Students are also expected to complete 12 hours of field education during that time, which involves a site mentor and regular interactions and assignments from the director of field education.

Master of Divinity (traditional)
Course Requirements (72 hours)

The Master of Divinity emphasizes the integration of theological learning with the skills needed to address the complex issues encountered in the practice of ministry.  The goals of the program are:  a deeper faith in Jesus Christ and the development of a spirituality that will sustain a life in ministry; competence in the interpretation of the Bible; a critical knowledge of the Christian tradition and abilities to help the church shape its future in light of that tradition; skills to lead the church in mission within a rapidly changing and diverse cultural context; competence to practice day-to-day ministry with integrity.   The traditional model provides greater customization through electives, allowing students to pursue a variety of interests according to their callings.

Students may take classes on campus or online. As many as 48 hours may be earned in the distance format, with the other 24 hours earned in residence. Fifteen hours of electives or concentration allow students to specialize in a particular area. For those students who have prior graduate training, many of the foundational courses may be waived to allow for more elective hours.

Master of Theological Studies
Course Requirements (48 hours)

The 48-hour Master of Theological Studies degree program serves students interested in theological education for a variety of educational and personal goals. The purpose of the degree is to provide meaningful grounding in the theological disciplines. The structure of course work provides students with grounding in basic methodologies of scriptural exegesis as well as a broad overview of Christian history and theological trajectories. The degree requirements are structured in such a way as to allow students maximum flexibility in selection of courses, according to their interests.   The goals of the M.T.S. include: the ability to interpret Scripture; acquisition of a broad knowledge of major theological and historical developments within the Christian tradition; and the ability to reason theologically, in conversation with the biblical canon and Christian tradition.

Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
Course Requirements (36 hours)

The 36-hour Master of Arts in Christian Ministry equips students with foundational instruction in the theological disciplines to order to enhance various capacities useful in ministerial leadership.  Students are also trained in spiritual formation practices and are able to develop other pastoral skills connected their callings.

Students may take classes on campus or online. As many as 24 hours may be earned in the distance format, with the other 12 hours earned in residence. The M.A.C.M. includes a comprehensive examination based on a case-study approach.

Program of Study Requirements

• Ministry, D.Min.

• Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (CBE)
• Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (LIFE)

• M.Div. (Cohort)
• M.Div. (Traditional)

• Master of Theological Studies, M.T.S.

• Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (Traditional)

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