Overview
For graduation with a Master of Divinity degree, a student must complete a minimum of 78 semester credits and maintain at least a C (2.0) average. In addition, all candidates for a degree must complete all the supervised ministry requirements, including the assessment and evaluation program. Failure to meet the deadlines indicated in the calendar will incur forfeiture of candidacy for a year. However, graduation is not automatic when academic requirements have been met. Since the seminary aims to graduate qualified Christian leaders, the faculty and staff will, on an ongoing basis, evaluate a student’s readiness in terms of spiritual, developmental, doctrinal, and professional standards as well as academic standards.
The Master of Divinity program is designed to guide students in a process of growth through cognitive studies, skill courses and experiences, self-assessment measures, counseling, and community life that leads to self-understanding and spiritual maturity. The degree is designed to prepare persons for professional ministry in the church and other organizations through positions such as pastor, missionary, chaplain, denominational minister, or parachurch leader. It seeks to graduate people who have knowledge and experience of the Christian faith, who show evidence of emotional and spiritual maturity, who relate to others with integrity, who possess skills for ministry, and who meet the educational requirements for ordination. Specifically, it seeks to develop whole and holy leaders who demonstrate to the satisfaction of the faculty and ministry supervisors the following:
- A comprehensive understanding of biblical content, a discerning approach to biblical interpretation, and theological reflection informed by historical traditions;
- Growth in emotional, spiritual, and relational health resulting in observable love for God and neighbor;
- The capacity and skills for effective ministry leadership;
- Intercultural competence for the purpose of advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and
- Intentional integration of faith, learning, life, and practice.
Language Tracks
Preaching the biblical Gospel is central to Christian ministry. Therefore, Bethel’s faculty believes that Master of Divinity students should learn the biblical languages and be required to take a biblical language track.
Single Language Track
-
Greek Track: In the Greek language track, students take Greek I: Beginning Greek (NT 541), Greek II: Intermediate Greek (NT 542), and Greek Exegesis (NT 652). Students with sufficient knowledge of Greek may take a qualifying examination for advanced standing.
- Hebrew Track: In the Hebrew language track, students take Hebrew I: Beginning Hebrew (OT 541), Hebrew II: Intermediate Hebrew (OT 542), and Hebrew Exegesis (OT 652). Students with sufficient knowledge of Hebrew may take a qualifying examination for advanced standing.
Dual Language Track
The Greek and Hebrew Track is for students desiring competency in both biblical languages or who are required to take both languages by the denomination in which they seek to be ordained. Students in this dual language track take Greek I: Beginning Greek (NT 541), Greek II: Intermediate Greek (NT 542), Greek Exegesis (NT 652), Hebrew I: Beginning Hebrew (OT 541), Hebrew II: Intermediate Hebrew (OT 542), and Hebrew Exegesis (OT 652). Students with sufficient competency in either language may take a qualifying examination for advanced standing.
Delivery
- Face-to-Face or Fully Online
Degree Requirements
Master of Divinity: Single Language
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| BT 510 | Hermeneutics | 3 |
| HS 510 | Church History Survey | 3 |
| NT 516 | New Testament Survey: Narratives, Letters, and Revelation | 3 |
| NT 518 | New Testament: Exegetical Explorations | 3 |
| OT 516 | Old Testament Survey: Law, Prophets and Writings | 3 |
| OT 518 | Old Testament: Exegetical Explorations | 3 |
| NT 541 | Greek I: Beginning Greek | 3 |
| or OT 541 | Hebrew I: Beginning Hebrew | |
| NT 542 | Greek II: Intermediate Greek | 3 |
| or OT 542 | Hebrew II: Intermediate Hebrew | |
| NT 652 | Greek Exegesis | 1.5 |
| or OT 652 | Hebrew Exegesis | |
| TS 512 | Systematic Theology I: God the Creator | 3 |
| TS 513 | Systematic Theology II: God the Redeemer | 3 |
| TS 516 | Christian Social Ethics | 3 |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| CP 510 | Introduction to Preaching | 3 |
| GC 512 | Global, Cultural and Contextual Ministry | 3 |
| HS 512 | American Christianity | 1.5 |
| ML 506 | Discipleship in Community | 1.5 |
| ML 507 | Missional Outreach and Evangelism | 1.5 |
| ML 523 | Introduction to Transformational Leadership: Theory and Practice in Global Perspective | 3 |
| ML 527 | Leading Worship in the Christian Life Cycle | 1.5 |
| ML 615 | Organizational Leadership and Church Governance | 3 |
| PC 512 | Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling | 3 |
| Professional Internship | 3 | |
| Concentration Courses and Electives 1 | 12 | |
| Formation Course Requirements | ||
| GS 780 | Senior Integrative Seminar | 3 |
| SP 510 | Introduction to Spiritual and Personal Formation | 3 |
| SP 610 | Spiritual and Personal Formation II: Relational Spirituality | 1.5 |
| GS 001 | Graduate Research Seminar: Masters Level | 0 |
| SP 001 | Formation Assessments: Masters Level | 0 |
| TL 001 | Vocational Assessments | 0 |
| Intent to Graduate Application | ||
| Total Credits | 78 | |
A minimum of 78 semester credits is required for graduation in the M.Div. program. The student is responsible for meeting all graduation deadlines and requirements.
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Students may complete a thesis to fulfill a portion of the required elective credits.
Master of Divinity: Dual Language
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| BT 510 | Hermeneutics | 3 |
| HS 510 | Church History Survey | 3 |
| NT 516 | New Testament Survey: Narratives, Letters, and Revelation | 3 |
| NT 518 | New Testament: Exegetical Explorations | 3 |
| OT 516 | Old Testament Survey: Law, Prophets and Writings | 3 |
| OT 518 | Old Testament: Exegetical Explorations | 3 |
| NT 541 | Greek I: Beginning Greek | 3 |
| NT 542 | Greek II: Intermediate Greek | 3 |
| NT 652 | Greek Exegesis | 1.5 |
| OT 541 | Hebrew I: Beginning Hebrew | 3 |
| OT 542 | Hebrew II: Intermediate Hebrew | 3 |
| OT 652 | Hebrew Exegesis | 1.5 |
| TS 512 | Systematic Theology I: God the Creator | 3 |
| TS 513 | Systematic Theology II: God the Redeemer | 3 |
| TS 516 | Christian Social Ethics | 3 |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| CP 510 | Introduction to Preaching | 3 |
| GC 512 | Global, Cultural and Contextual Ministry | 3 |
| HS 512 | American Christianity | 1.5 |
| ML 506 | Discipleship in Community | 1.5 |
| ML 507 | Missional Outreach and Evangelism | 1.5 |
| ML 523 | Introduction to Transformational Leadership: Theory and Practice in Global Perspective | 3 |
| ML 527 | Leading Worship in the Christian Life Cycle | 1.5 |
| ML 615 | Organizational Leadership and Church Governance | 3 |
| PC 512 | Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling | 3 |
| Professional Internship | 3 | |
| Concentration Courses and Electives | ||
| Electives 1 | 4.5 | |
| Formation Course Requirements | ||
| GS 780 | Senior Integrative Seminar | 3 |
| SP 510 | Introduction to Spiritual and Personal Formation | 3 |
| SP 610 | Spiritual and Personal Formation II: Relational Spirituality | 1.5 |
| GS 001 | Graduate Research Seminar: Masters Level | 0 |
| SP 001 | Formation Assessments: Masters Level | 0 |
| TL 001 | Vocational Assessments | 0 |
| Intent to Graduate Application | ||
| Total Credits | 78 | |
A minimum of 78 semester credits is required for graduation in the M.Div. program. The student is responsible for meeting all graduation deadlines and requirements.
- 1
Students may complete a thesis to fulfill a portion of the required elective credits.
Concentrations
Biblical Studies Concentration
- M.Div., M.A. (Theological Studies)
The Biblical Studies concentration deepens students’ understanding of the Bible’s history and its integrative themes, and equips them with additional skills for responsible interpretation of the biblical message. The concentration is also recommended as preparation for advanced degrees in biblical studies. Concentration requires 12 credits of courses in the Biblical Interpretation, Biblical Theology, Old Testament, and/or New Testament subject areas.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BI, BT, OT, or NT Course | 3 | |
| BI, BT, OT, or NT Course | 3 | |
| BI, BT, OT, or NT Course | 3 | |
| BI, BT, OT, or NT Course | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Children’s, Youth, and Family Ministry
- M.Div. only
Concentration requires students to complete 12 credits of courses in the Children's, Youth, and Family Ministry subject area.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CF Course | 3 | |
| CF Course | 3 | |
| CF Course | 3 | |
| CF Course | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Possible CF courses in this area include CF 510 Introduction to Children's, Youth and Family Ministry; CF 610 Ministry with Families throughout the Life Cycle; CF 620 The Teaching and Learning Process; CF 630 Leadership of Children's, Youth and Family Ministry; and PC 632 Pastoral Care of Children, Youth and Families.
Christian Thought Concentration
- M.Div.
A concentration in Christian Thought is designed to enable M.Div. students to focus on the intellectual exploration of the Christian faith and the intersection of Christianity and culture. It serves students who desire church ministry vocations in teaching, discipleship, and apologetics as well as students who may wish to go on for further graduate study in theological studies. Students participate in internships with the Office of Formation, Supervised Ministry, and Placement. Those who sense a call to teaching, outreach, or discipleship ministry using the concentration in Christian Thought may develop their internships with those ministries in view. Concentration requires 12 credits of courses in the Theological Studies and/or Philosophy of Religion subject areas.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| TS, or PH Course | 3 | |
| TS, or PH Course | 3 | |
| TS, or PH Course | 3 | |
| TS, or PH Course | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Post-Christian Ministry Concentration (Gateway Church Partnership)
- M.Div, M.A.Min.
Post-Christian Ministry is designed as an experience for individuals living in Austin, Texas, and working as interns with Eric Bryant. It is available through the Online delivery format and includes courses taken directly with Gateway Church. The concentration in Post-Christian Ministry is designed for pastors, church planters, teachers, writers, and church leaders who are serving in post-Christian environments or who feel called to reach those not being reached through traditional methods. The concentration emphasizes creating networks (missional communities) and Sunday gatherings where people can “come as they are.” After students complete the concentration, they will know how to engage with people and cultures that are unfamiliar with the Christian tradition, how to help people move from lost to leading, and how to invite skeptics to become Christ-followers who disciple and reach others. The concentration courses, with the exception of the required elective, are operated by Gateway Church. Students in this concentration must register for the concentration courses through Gateway Church and have transcripts sent from Gateway Church to Bethel Seminary to facilitate the transfer of credit. The Post-Christian Ministry concentration consists of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Post-Christian Ministry 1 | 3 | |
| Missional Innovation 1 | 3 | |
| Leading Missional Organizations 1 | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
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These concentration courses are operated by Gateway Church and are not offered at Bethel Seminary.
Theological and Historical Studies Concentration
- M.Div., M.A. (Theological Studies)
This concentration acquaints students more fully with the theological resources of the Christian tradition and the church’s experience through the centuries. It provides opportunity to develop theological skills and to selectively appropriate from the Christian heritage what may be usefully applied to contemporary challenges and opportunities. The concentration is also recommended as preparation for advanced degrees in these fields. Concentration requires: 12 credits of courses in the Historical Studies, Theological Studies, and/or Philosophy of Religion subject areas.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HS, TS, or PH Course | 3 | |
| HS, TS, or PH Course | 3 | |
| HS, TS, or PH Course | 3 | |
| HS, TS, or PH Course | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |