Divinity MDiv

MDiv General Information

For information regarding: Program Overview, Application, Policies and other entrance requirements - Click Here .

MDiv Degree Prerequisites

Students who have not previously taken the following classes on the undergraduate level must fulfill these prerequisites. Some of these subjects can be cleared through optional challenge exams. Current Greek and Biblical Hebrew language intermediate level proficiency must be accomplished through placement exam or by passing both the beginning and intermediate levels of each language.

• 1 Credit of  GSEM 525 - The Bible and Biblical History Credits: 0,1

• OR  Biblical Literacy Exam 80% - August

  All entering students must take the Biblical Literacy Entrance Exam in the first August they are in the MDiv program. Students must either pass the exam at 80% or higher or take GSEM525 - The Bible and Biblical History during the Fall or Spring of their first year in the MDiv program.

• 2 Credits of  CHMN 552 - Foundations of Pastoral Ministry Credits: 0,2

• OR  Church Policy Exam 80% - August, September

  Students without an undergraduate course in Pastoral Ministry and Church Policy must either pass the Church Policy Proficiency exam at 80% or higher, or take CHMN552 - Foundations of Pastoral Ministry during the Fall or Spring of their first year in the MDiv program.

• 2 Credits of  CHMN 505 - Biblical Preaching Credits: 2
• 2 Credits of  CHMN 536 - Personal Evangelistic Ministry Credits: 2,3
• 3 Credits of  CHIS 504 - Adventist Heritage Credits: 0,3

• OR Adventist Heritage Placement Exam 80%
  Students without an undergraduate course in Adventist Heritage must either pass the Adventist Heritage exam at 80% or higher, or take CHIS504 Adventist Heritage during their first year in the MDiv program.

• 2 Credits of  CHIS 506 - Church History to 1500 Credits: 2,3
• 2 Credits of  CHIS 507 - Church History 1500 to Present Credits: 2,3
• 2 Credits of  NTST 520 - Introduction to the New Testament Credits: 2
• 2 Credits of  NTST 530 - Introduction to Revelation Credits: 2
• 2 Credits of  NTST 551 - Beginning Greek Credits: 0,2 (C- or higher) 

• OR  Greek Placement Exam 45% or higher - May, August
  Any student who wishes to take a Biblical language placement exam must take at least one of the exams in May or August of the year they enroll in seminary. If the student wishes to take the exam for the second language it must be taken before the start of their second year in seminary.

• 3 credits of  NTST 552 - Intermediate Greek Credits: 0,2,3 (C or higher) 

• OR Greek Placement Exam 60% or higher - May, August

• 2 Credits of  OTST 500 - Survey of the Old Testament Credits: 2,3
• 2 Credits of  OTST 565 - Pentateuch Credits: 3
• 3 Credits of  OTST 551 - Biblical Hebrew I Credits: 0,3 (C- or higher)

• OR  Hebrew Placement Exam 45% or higher - May, August

  Any student who wishes to take a Biblical language placement exam must take at least one of the exams in May or August of the year they enroll in seminary. If the student wishes to take the exam for the second language it must be taken before the start of their second year in seminary

• 2 Credits of  OTST 552 - Biblical Hebrew II Credits: 0,2,3 (C+ or higher)

• OR  Hebrew Placement Exam 65% or higher - May, August

• 3 Credits of  THST 521 - Christian Theology I Credits: 2,3
• 3 Credits of  THST 522 - Christian Theology II Credits: 2,3

Total Credits: 78

Seminary New Student Orientation

Students must attend and register for the Fall semester 0 credit orientation as a graduation requirement.

• GSEM 501 - New Student Orientation Credits: 0

Divinity Core

Interdisciplinary Credits: 2

• 2 Credits of  GSEM 530 - Doctrine of the Sanctuary Credits: 2,3

Great Controversy, Covenant, Law, Sabbath Course Requirement

Each student must take a “Great Controversy, Covenant, Law, Sabbath” course from their choice of the Theology, New Testament, Old Testament or Church History departments. At least one of these courses will be offered each semester.

Colloquia

Brief 0 Credit colloquia on a variety of ministry topics will be offered each semester for MDiv students.

• On-campus students are required to attend at least 5 of these colloquia during their MDiv experience.
• Colloquia requirements for transfer students or those completing part of their MDiv off-campus will be one colloquium for each semester that they are on the main campus.
• Students from previous bulletins who petition into the 2018-19 bulletin will take 1 colloquium per semester for the remaining semesters of their program.

• GSEM 505 - Colloquium: ______________________ Credits: 0

Christian Ministry Credits: 19

• CHMN 539 - Church Growth and the Equipping Pastor: _____________ Credits: 3
• 2 Credits of  CHMN 543 - Christian Leadership in a Changing World Credits: 2,3
• 2 Credits of  CHMN 555 - Pastoral Counseling Credits: 2,3

•  

• Choose one 3 credit CHMN Field Evangelism Core Elective (NADEI List 1):
  Note: Chaplaincy and Youth & Young Adult core electives can ONLY be taken by students in the corresponding concentration.
• CHMN 562 - Field Evangelism Credits: 2–6
• CHMN 644 - Field Evangelism: Chaplaincy Credits: 3
• CHMN 617 - Field Evangelism: Youth & Young Adult Ministry Credits: 3–6
• 2 Credits of  CHMN 560 - Theological Field Education Credits: 1,2
• TFE Exemption: Pastors who can present a letter from their Employer/Conference, to the CHMN Department Chair, verifying at least 2 years (24 months) of full-time paid congregational pastoral experience including intentional mentoring, verified by a service record, may substitute the course with another 2 credit CHMN, MSSN or DSRE course.
• If student is in a dual degree, they may substitute this course with the appropriate practicum course in their corresponding dual degree.
• If a student is in the Chaplaincy concentration, they will take only 1 credit of CHMN560.
• 1 Credit of  CHMN 567 - Health Ministry Credits: 1–3
• 2 Credits of  CHMN 523 - Worship: Word and Music Credits: 2,3

•  

• Choose one 2 credit (600-level) CHMN Advanced Preaching Core Elective (CHMN List):

• CHMN 600 - Preaching from the New Testament Credits: 2,3
• CHMN 607 - Preaching from the Old Testament Credits: 2,3
• CHMN 609 - Media Ministry Credits: 2,3
• CHMN 614 - Preaching from Daniel or Revelation Credits: 2,3
• CHMN 627 - Black Preaching Credits: 2,3
• CHMN 632 - Contextualized Preaching:___________________________ Credits: 2,3
• CHMN 633 - Preaching the Literary Forms of the Bible Credits: 2,3
• CHMN 634 - Field Evangelistic Preaching & Practicum Credits: 2,3
• CHMN 637 - Seminar in Preaching Credits: 2,3

•  

• Choose one 2 credit NADEI Core Elective (NADEI List 2):

• CHMN 557 - Practicum in Clinical Pastoral Education Credits: 2–8
• CHMN 604 - Mobilizing for Evangelistic Ministry Credits: 2,3
• CHMN 606 - Mission-Shaped Church Planting Credits: 2,3
• CHMN 634 - Field Evangelistic Preaching & Practicum  Credits: 2,3
• CHMN 641 - Practicum in Military Chaplaincy Credits: 2-8
• CHMN 656 - Evangelistic Small Groups Credits: 2,3

• Note: CHMN 557 (3 cr.) and CHMN 641 (3 cr.) can be used in fulfillment of this core elective ONLY by students in the Chaplaincy Concentration.

Discipleship and Religious Education Credits: 9

• 3 Credits of  DSRE 541 - Foundations of Biblical Spirituality Credits: 2,3 (Must be taken 1st Fall Semester in Program.)
• 2 Credits of  DSRE 503 - Marriage, Family, and Interpersonal Relationships Credits: 2,3
• 2 Credits of  DSRE 534 - Ministry to Youth and Young Adults Credits: 2,3
• 2 Credits of  DSRE 615 - Collaborative Ministry: School, Church, Community Credits: 2,3

Church History Credits: 7

• 2 Credits of  CHIS 674 - Development of Seventh-day Adventist Theology Credits: 2,3
• 2 Credits of  CHIS 624 - Issues in Ellen G. White Studies Credits: 2

•  

• Choose one 3 credit (600 Level) Church History Core Elective (CHIS List):

• CHIS 600 - The Early Church to A.D. 604 Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 609 - The Church in the Middle Ages Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 620 - Seminar in Christian Biography Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 625 - Seminar in Church-State Thought Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 629 - History of Christian Spirituality Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 630 - History of Jewish Experience Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 634 - Reformation Theology Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 635 - History of the African American Churches Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 638 - History of the Great Controversy, Covenant, Law, Sabbath Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 640 - Reformation: _______________ Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 650 - English Reformation and Rise of Puritanism Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 654 - Seminar in English Reformation and Puritan Theology Credits: 3
• CHIS 655 - Wesley and Methodism Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 657 - Seminar in Reformation Theology Credits: 3
• CHIS 659 - Seminar in the History of Selected Christian Doctrines Credits: 3
• CHIS 660 - History of Religion in America Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 664 - History of American Religious Thought Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 665 - Modern Church History Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 668 - History of Religious Liberty Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 670 - Seminar in History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 673 - Development of Seventh-day Adventist Lifestyle Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 675 - Seminar in the Development of Seventh-day Adventist Lifestyle Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 680 - History of Sabbath and Sunday Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 682 - Seminar in Church History Credits: 3
• CHIS 683 - The Pastor, Church and Civil Law Credits: 3
• CHIS 684 - Seminar in History of Sabbath and Sunday Credits: 3
• CHIS 685 - Studies in Church History Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 686 - Development of Prophetic Interpretation Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 687 - Seminar in Development of Prophetic Interpretation Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 688 - Contemporary Trends Credits: 2,3
• CHIS 689 - History of Worship and Liturgy Credits: 3
• CHIS 690 - Independent Study Credits: 1–3

World Mission Credits: 6

• MSSN 546 - Mission in Cultural and Religious Context Credits: 3
• MSSN 561 - Christian Witness and World Religions Credits: 3

Theology Credits: 13

• 2 Credits of  THST 635 - Issues in Origins Credits: 2,3
• 3 Credits of  THST 611 - Revelation, Inspiration and Hermeneutics Credits: 3

•  

• Choose one 3 credit (600 Level) Systematic Theology Core Elective (THST List A):

• THST 608 - The Great Controversy, Covenant, Law, Sabbath Credits: 2,3
• THST 615 - Doctrine of the Church Credits: 2,3
• THST 616 - Doctrine of God Credits: 2,3
• THST 617 - The Works of God Credits: 2,3
• THST 618 - The Works of Christ Credits: 2,3
• THST 619 - Principles and Methods of Theology Credits: 2,3
• THST 630 - Doctrine of Christ Credits: 2,3
• THST 637 - Biblical Eschatology Credits: 2,3
• THST 639 - Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Credits: 2,3
• THST 640 - Doctrine of Salvation Credits: 2,3
• THST 647 - Human Nature and Destiny Credits: 2,3
• THST 649 - Seminar in Theological Issues:_______________________________________ Credits: 2,3
• THST 678 - Science and Religion Credits: 2,3

•  

• Choose one 2 credit (600 Level) Historical Theology/Philosophy Core Elective (THST List B):

• THST 623 - Contemporary Adventist Theological Issues Credits: 2,3
• THST 624 - Protestant Theological Heritage Credits: 2,3
• THST 625 - Early Christian Theology Credits: 2,3
• THST 626 - Modern Christian Theology Credits: 2,3
• THST 627 - Roman Catholic Life & Thought Credits: 2,3
• THST 628 - Contemporary Theology Credits: 2,3
• THST 629 - History and Theology of Ecumenism Credits: 2,3
• THST 656 - Seminar in Historical Theology:_________________________________________ Credits: 2,3
• THST 667 - Postmodernism and the Church Credits: 2,3
• THST 676 - History of Philosophy Credits: 2,3

•  

• 3 Credits of  THST 605 - Principles of Christian Ethics Credits: 2,3 or students who have taken an undergraduate course in Ethics may choose an advanced Ethics course in place of the required THST605 Principles of Christian Ethics.

•  

• For the advanced Ethics Course, choose one 3 credit (600 Level) Ethics Core Elective (THST List C):

• THST 600 - Christian Personal Ethics Credits: 2,3
• THST 634 - Christian Social Ethics Credits: 2,3
• THST 643 - Christian Professional Ethics Credits: 2,3
• THST 644 - Theological Ethics Credits: 2,3
• THST 659 - Seminar in Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics:____________________________ Credits: 2,3
• THST 660 - Church and Society Credits: 2,3
• CHMN 549 - Philosophy & Ethics of Chaplaincy Credits: 2

New Testament Credits: 8

Before registering for New Testament courses, check the course description for Greek Language and/or other course prerequisites.

• One of the following MUST be taken to fulfill a New Testament Core Elective:

• NTST 648 - Revelation Credits: 2,3 (as New Testament Exegesis)
• OR  NTST 647 - Eschatology Credits: 2,3 (as New Testament Theology)

•  

• Choose one 3 credit (600 level) New Testament Exegesis Core Elective -Intermediate Greek proficiency required  (NTST List A):

• NTST 645 - Hebrews Credits: 2,3
• NTST 646 - Topics in New Testament Exegesis Credits: 2,3
• NTST 648 - Revelation   Credits: 2,3
• NTST 653 - Advanced Studies in the General Epistles Credits: 2,3
• NTST 655 - Advanced Studies in the Gospels Credits: 2,3
• NTST 658 - Advanced Studies in the Pauline Writings Credits: 2,3
• NTST 678 - Seminar in Greek Exegesis Credits: 2,3

•  

• Choose one 3 credit (600 Level) New Testament Theology Core Elective - Intermediate Greek proficiency required. (NTST List  B):

• NTST 613 - Love, Marriage and Divorce Credits: 2,3
• NTST 614 - Suffering, Death and Resurrection Credits: 2,3
• NTST 616 - Theology of Luke-Acts Credits: 2,3
• NTST 623 - New Testament Theology of Prayer Credits: 2,3
• NTST 627 - New Testament Theology of Salvation Credits: 2,3
• NTST 628 - The Holy Spirit in the New Testament Credits: 2,3
• NTST 629 - New Testament Ecclesiology Credits: 2,3
• NTST 630 - Theology of the Synoptic Gospels Credits: 2,3
• NTST 633 - Social Issues in the New Testament Credits: 2,3
• NTST 634 - Theology of the Pauline Epistles Credits: 2,3
• NTST 641 - Theology of the Johannine Writings Credits: 2,3
• NTST 647 - Eschatology  Credits: 2,3
• NTST 667 - Topics in New Testament Theology Credits: 2,3
• NTST 668 - New Testament Ethics Credits: 2,3
• NTST 676 - Jesus in Recent Scholarship Credits: 2,3
• NTST 679 - Seminar in New Testament Theology and Ethics Credits: 2,3
• NTST 650 - Great Controversy, Covenant, Law and Sabbath Credits: 2,3

•  

• Choose one 2 credit (600 Level) New Testament Backgrounds Core Elective (NTST List C):

• NTST 606 - New Testament Textual Criticism and Canon Formation Credits: 2,3
• NTST 615 - New Testament Archaeology Credits: 2,3
• NTST 626 - Seminar in Classical Jewish Literature Credits: 2,3
• NTST 635 - Intertestamental Literature Credits: 2,3
• NTST 636 - Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus Credits: 2,3
• NTST 654 - Second Century Christianity Credits: 2,3
• NTST 680 - Greco-Roman World Credits: 2,3
• NTST 684 - Judaism and the New Testament Credits: 2,3
• NTST 689 - Seminar in New Testament Backgrounds Credits: 2,3
• NTST 695 - Topics in New Testament Backgrounds Credits: 2,3

Old Testament Credits: 8

Before registering for Old Testament courses, check the course description for Hebrew Language and/or other course prerequisites.

• 2 Credits of  OTST 674 - Daniel Credits: 3

•  

• Choose one 2 credit (600 Level) Old Testament Exegesis Core Elective - Intermediate Hebrew proficiency required (OTST List A):

• OTST 628 - Methods of OT Exegesis Credits: 2,3
• OTST 639 - Studies in Old Testament Exegesis Credits: 2,3
• OTST 664 - Pentateuch Credits: 3
• OTST 666 - Historical Books Credits: 3
• OTST 668 - Psalms/Wisdom Literature Credits: 3
• OTST 675 - Minor Prophets Credits: 3
• OTST 680 - Seminar in Old Testament Exegesis Credits: 2,3
• OTST 686 - Major Prophets Credits: 3

•  

• Choose one 2 credit (600 Level) Old Testament Theology/Hermeneutics Core Elective - Intermediate Hebrew proficiency required (OTST List B):

• OTST 619 - Theology of the Old Testament Credits: 2,3
• OTST 620 - Seminar in Old Testament Theology Credits: 2,3
• OTST 627 - Jewish Life and Thought Credits: 2,3
• OTST 685 - Principles of Hermeneutics Credits: 2,3
• 2 Credits of  OTST 510 - Archaeology and the Bible Credits: 2,3

• OR Students who have taken an undergraduate course in Biblical Archaeology may choose an advanced Archaeology course in place of the required OTST510 Archaeology & the Bible. 
   

• For advanced Archaeology Course, choose one 3 credit (600 Level) Biblical Archaeology Core Elective (OTST List C):

• NTST 615 - New Testament Archaeology Credits: 2,3
• OTST 514 - Bible Lands and Their Explorations Credits: 2,3
• OTST 604 - History of the Ancient Near East Credits: 2,3
• OTST 635 - History of Israel Credits: 2,3

General Electives Credits: 6

• Students will take 6 credits of general electives.
• Electives may not be used to satisfy prerequisites and/or deficiencies. 
• Students may use elective credits toward the completion of an MDiv concentration. 
• Up to 6 credits in relevant courses offered by other schools of the university on the graduate level may be included in the general electives, including up to 4 appropriate workshop credits. 
• Transfer credit Petitions from other schools within Andrews University or from any other University must be done in consultation with the MDiv Office.

Concentrations