Master of Divinity (MDiv)
The Master of Divinity degree program equips you to engage in gospel-centered leadership roles, such as pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, teaching, and missions. It presents you with other open doors as well, serving to meet ordination requirements for some Christian denominations, while also meeting admission qualifications for doctoral programs that focus on ministry or theology.
Credits82 |
Months32 Graduate in less than three years |
Online?Yes |
LocationsPortland |
What Sets Our MDiv Degree Apart?
- An emphasis on gospel-centrality and biblical theology, and how they shape your approach to ministry
- Develop your own theological position directly from the Bible, rather than adopting an institutional doctrinal position
- A rigorous candidacy process, ministering to real people under the supervision of a seasoned ministry practitioner
- Visit either Israel or Greece and Turkey on faculty-led study tours for elective credit
When the gospel transforms us, it launches us into our mission of bearing witness to the lordship of Christ.
Stephen Stallard, PhD
Director, Master of Divinity
Curriculum
See a list of courses
Foundational Studies: 10 credits | ||
---|---|---|
BT501 | Hermeneutics | 2 |
BT502 | Understanding Biblical Theology | 2 |
CS501 | Learning to Love God and Others | 2 |
CS502 | Growing in Prayer and Other Key Spiritual Disciplines | 2 |
MF501 | Introduction to Theological Study and Ministry Formation | 2 |
Biblical Studies: 28 credits | ||
BL501 | Interpreting Genesis to Song of Solomon | 4 |
BL502 | Interpreting the Prophets and Gospel | 4 |
BL503 | Interpreting Acts to Revelation | 4 |
NT521 | Greek Grammar | 3 |
NT522 | Greek Reading and Syntax | 3 |
NT523 | Greek Syntax and Reading | 2 |
OT521 | Hebrew Grammar | 3 |
OT522 | Hebrew Grammar and Reading Narrative Texts | 3 |
OT523 | Hebrew Syntax and Reading | 2 |
Theological Studies: 18 credits | ||
CH501 | Wisdom from Church History | 4 |
TH501 | Knowing the Living God: Theology I | 4 |
TH502 | Glorifying the Word of Life: Theology II | 4 |
TH503 | Living as the Community of the Spirit: Theology III | 4 |
TH504 | Integrating Ministry and Theology | 2 |
Ministerial Studies: 18 credits | ||
ML501 | Theology and Practice of Gospel-Centered Ministry | 2 |
ML502 -or- | Transformational Leadership | 2 |
WL504 | Women in Leadership | 2 |
ML503 | Nurturing Faithful Disciples | 2 |
ML504 | Taking the Gospel to Diverse Cultures | 2 |
ML505 | Applied Pastoral Counseling: Caring for People in a Broken World | 2 |
ML506 | Ministerial Ethics | 2 |
ML507 | Gospel Responses to Contemporary Challenges | 2 |
ML508 | Preaching Gospel-Centered Messages | 2 |
MF531 | Ministry Leadership Formation Lab I | 1 |
MF532 | Ministry Leadership Formation Lab II | 1 |
MF533-34 | Ministry Leadership Formation Lab III - IV (P/F graded, lab fee; as needed) | 0 |
Open Electives: 8 credits |
Specialize Your Ministry Studies
Increase the relevance of your training by tailoring it to your ministry context. Work with your academic advisor to develop a concentration in a given area of specialization. Specialized areas of study include (but are not limited to):
- Bible
- Chaplaincy
- Church and Culture
- Church History
- Church Planting
- Christian Spirituality
- Coaching
- Educational Ministry
- Evangelism
- Family Ministry
- Global Leadership
- Greek
- Hebrew
- Intercultural Studies
- Pastoral Care
- Women's Transformational Leadership
- Worship
- Youth Ministry
A Candidacy Process for Real-world Learning
During your Ministry Leadership Formation courses, you'll form a mentoring team within your own ministry setting, while also joining Ministry Leadership groups that work through case studies formed from students' greatest challenges in serving. This process sees you submit a portfolio of ministry experiences after completing half of your studies, combined with an assessment by your mentoring team as well as select faculty. After advancing to candidacy and completing all your courses you graduate with our promise of ministry readiness.
Accessible Scheduling
Whether you hope to enroll at a part-time or full-time pace, on-campus or online, we provide many pathways to accomplish your ministry training goals while you continue to focus on the people, priorities, and places which God has already put in front of you.
Theological Education That Keeps Debt Down
Ministry work can bring limited financial reward. That's why we encourage wise financial stewardship as you pay for school. It might surprise you to learn that a minority of our students utilize loans, with most choosing instead to pay out of pocket, with scholarships, or via a monthly payment plan. Look into your options for financial aid.
MDiv Admission Requirements
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher
- A completed application for admission and all admissions materials
If you do not have a bachelor's degree or do not meet one of the requirements above, contact an Admissions Counselor to explore alternative MDiv admission requirements.