Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 
    
2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Arts, Communication/Master of Divinity Track 2 Dual Degree MA/MDiv


Program Description


Andrews University has chosen to establish a collaborative program between the Master of Divinity Degree of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and the Department of Communication in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students can potentially complete the two degrees in less than 3½ years; 2 years in the Theological Seminary and 1 to 1½ years in the Department of Communication.

It will also prepare MDiv students for service in occupations where Communication—and in particular, media-related Communication—intersects with the pastoral mission of the church. Pastors today are challenged to minister and serve in ever-widening fields and increasingly diverse audience groups, and being able to do so effectively through a variety of mediums is becoming more important than ever before. Likewise, there are benefits to understanding the how and why of communication and what it takes to be an effective communicator on all levels outside of the pulpit. Furthermore, this collaboration allows for widened employment opportunities including television and radio, public relations, corporate communications, advertising, management, healthcare communications, and more.

Total Credits: 132


MDiv Degree Requirements: 99


Discipleship and Religious Education: 8


New Testament: 15


Old Testament: 15


Communication Degree Requirements: 33


Concentration: 12


Media Ministry


  • Six hours chosen from Communication Media or Visual Arts courses.
  • Six hours from ministry (M. Div.) elective credits.

Interdisciplinary


  • Six Master of Divinity (non-media) electives
  • Six Communication credits
  • Plus competency in 2 of 3 areas: writing, speaking, and visual communication

Admission Requirements


Master of Divinity


  1. Baccalaureate Degree: A four-year degree from an accredited United States institution, or its equivalent from an institution outside the U.S.
    • MDiv Track 1 program is for students who have a Bachelors degree in Theology. Students who do not have a BA in Theology will need to complete the Track 2 program.
  2. Undergraduate GPA: A minimum GPA of 2.50.
  3. Recommendations: Recommendations from the Church board where the applicant is a member; College teacher/advisor, and Church administrator, pastor, or recent employer.
  4. Personal Qualifications: Represent high moral integrity with a character, lifestyle, and spiritual commitment reflective of the beliefs and practices of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and show promise of usefulness for ministry through personal maturity and adequate experience in the Church. (Persons of other faiths who are willing to live in harmony with these standards are welcome to apply).

English Language Requirements

Students whose language of education is not English must submit one of the following tests and minimum scores:

TOEFL Paper-based - 565
TOEFL Internet-based - 85
MELAB - 81
IELTS - 6.5
PTE – 58

Master of Arts In Communication


Please note, MA can be taken consecutively or concurrently with M. Div.

  1. Baccalaureate Degree: A four-year degree from an accredited United States institution, or its equivalent from an institution outside the U.S.
  2. Undergraduate GPA: A minimum GPA same as general university standards for graduate admittance.
  3. Recommendations from the church board where the applicant is a member; College teacher/advisor, and church administrator, pastor, or recent employer.
  4. Undergraduate coursework: 12 semester credits in communication and/or related areas
  5. Other:
    • Satisfy the admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies & Research
    • Present a resume of current experience
    • Submit a statement of purpose which explains how the relevant disciplines will be integrated to meet his/her career and academic goals
    • Complete any deficiencies at the beginning of the program

English Language Requirements

Students whose language of education is not English must submit one of the following tests and minimum scores:

TOEFL (TIP) Paper-based – composite score of 600, with no component score lower than 55. An additional written essay exam is required with a minimum score of 80, and an additional speaking evaluation with a score of not less than 3.
TOEFL Internet-based (bit) – composite score of 100, with Reading and Listening component scores of at least 15, Writing component score of at least 17, and Speaking component score of at least 18)
MELAB - composite score of 84 with no component score lower than 80.
IELTS - [Academic] composite score of 7, with Reading, Listening, and Speaking component scores of at least 6, and a Writing component score of at least 5.
PTE - PTE [Academic] composite score of 68, with no component score lower than 48.

The exam must be taken within two years prior to enrollment. Students who score below these levels may complete language requirements by enrolling in Intensive English Program courses (ENSL) on campus. Students with a score on the TOEFL ITP of 575-599 (or the equivalent on any of the four other exams) may be eligible for the Language Bridge Program which allows students to take a limited number of degree program courses while completing language proficiency requirements in Intensive English Program courses.

Exceptions to these requirements may be granted by the Department of Communication on an individual basis.

Program Outcomes


  1. To enable students to integrate both theological and communication-savvy approaches to reaching expanded audiences with increased levels of effectiveness and efficiency, thereby enhancing their usefulness as instruments of the Holy Spirit.
  2. To prepare students for various forms of ministry in which communication (in particular, media) skills/experience and theology are needed.
  3. To sensitize students to nontraditional ministry opportunities by exposing them to theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will increase their options for spreading the gospel.