The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) curriculum of the School of Theology is designed to provide students with the spiritual formation, knowledge, and skills required to become committed, effective ordained clergy. Throughout the three years students have an opportunity to explore their pastoral vocation and to be formed in Christ’s own priesthood given to the church and expressed in a variety of ministries. To this end there is study of Scripture, tradition, and culture, with a view to the reasoned practice of the ministry of Word and Sacrament in both its historical context and its contemporary setting.
Curriculum: Orderly Progress of Learning
The Master of Divinity program is intentionally designed to educate a critically informed clergy for ministry in a changing world. Historically, the School of Theology has been committed to the task of integrating the various areas of theological study within a basic core curriculum.
The first year, the junior year, the student is introduced to all major areas of theological study except homiletics. (The School of Theology considers preaching to be a theological task that is best performed after a foundation has been laid in the various theological disciplines.) After the first introductory course in any area, other courses at second and third levels allow the student to advance to more critical and intensive engagements of the subject matter. The guiding norm of the entire seminary program of the School of Theology is the orderly progress of learning.
Electives allow students to focus their attention and advance their learning in selected areas of academic and practical interest. Lectures, seminars, and small group reflections all contribute to the ongoing task of critical and practical integration of the traditions of theological learning with life in the contemporary world.
To help students achieve continuity in their educational experience, the school provides each student with a faculty adviser. Each faculty member works with advisees to assist them, according to their special interests and needs, to integrate the many elements and dimensions of a theological education. Also, advisers help students in academic matters and issues of personal evaluation.
Spiritual Formation
Christian ministry requires leaders who are sensitive to the presence of God in their own lives and in the lives of those with whom they are called to serve. Through daily worship, prayer, study, spiritual direction, devotional groups, and quiet days, the School of Theology seeks to develop in its students such an awareness and pattern of life.
Worship Life
The curriculum is grounded in worship. Morning Prayer, the Holy Eucharist, and Evening Prayer are celebrated each weekday in the Chapel of the Apostles. Students and faculty take part in at least one of those offices daily, including a weekly community Eucharist. Through participation in the church’s liturgical life, students deepen their awareness of the meaning of worship and are provided opportunities to develop their skills in the ordering and conducting of a variety of Prayer Book rites. Students and faculty participate in planning, leading, and preaching in services. Students’ homilies at daily Morning Prayer and at a weekly Eucharist provide abundant and helpful opportunities for preaching.
The dean has responsibility for the spiritual and community life of the School of Theology. He meets regularly with students, faculty members, and staff—both individually and in groups—to discuss concerns and issues and to assist in the formation and development of particular ministry vocations. He is the ordinary of the Chapel of the Apostles.
Course Requirements
The curriculum for the M.Div. degree requires 79.5 core hours for graduation. This curriculum allows for concentration of electives in areas of interest or perceived need. To retain the status of regular (full-time) student, at least 12 credit hours must be taken for credit each semester.
Core Courses
Junior Curriculum
Advent Semester
BIBL 501. Old Testament Foundations I – 3 hours
CHHT 511. Church History I – 3 hours
CEMT 501. Foundations in Theology and Ethics – 3 hours
MNST 503. Spirituality for Ministry – 3 hours
LTCM 501. Speaking the Word – 1 hour
LTCM 507. Singing the Word – 1.5 hours
MNST 501. Junior Reflection Seminary – 1 hour
Total: 15.5 hours
Easter Semester
BIBL 502. Old Testament Foundation II – 3 hours
CHHT 512. Church History II – 3 hours
BIBL 511. New Testament Foundations I – 3 hours
MNST 502. Junior Reflection Seminar – 1 hour
* Elective Course – 3 hours
*Students mus take one elective course to maintain ful-time status of 12 credit hours per semester
Total: 13 hours
Summer
MNST 509. Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
(or approved alternative program): 6 hours
Middler Curriculum
Advent Semester
*CHHT 501. Episcopal Church History or ANGL 501. Anglican Tradition and Anglican Identities – 3 hours
HOML 530. Fundamentals of Preaching – 3 hours
MNST 511. Pastoral Theology I – 1.5 hours
BIBL 512. New Testament: Foundations II – 3 hours
Total: 12 hours
Easter Semester
CEMT 512/511. Moral Theology or Basic Christian Ethics – 3 hours
THEO 511. Introduction to Christian Doctrine – 3 hours
*CHHT 501. Episcopal Church History or ANGL 501. Anglican Tradition and Anglican Identities – 3 hours
*A middler must take either Episcopal Church History or Anglican Tradition and Anglican Identities; three hours total for the Middler year.
LTCM 511. History of Christian Worship – 3 hours
MNST 512. Contextual Education Plenary – 4.5 hours
Total: 16.5 hours
Senior Curriculum
Advent Semester
MNST 52. Contextual Education II – 4.5 hours
CEMT 521/522. Church and Society or Contemporary Moral Issues – 3 hours
THEO 521. Ecclesiology – 3 hours
LTCM 521. Pastoral Liturgics – 3 hours
Total: 13.5 hours
Easter Semester
MNST 525. Christian Education – 3 hours
HOML 510. Advanced Preaching – 3
MNST 512. Pastoral Theology II – 3 hours
* Elective Course – 3 hours
*Students mus take one elective course to maintain ful-time status of 12 credit hours per semester
Total: 12 hours
TOTAL: 79.5 hours
