The M.Div. is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of 90 credit hours distributed among required courses, a writing component, and elective courses, as described in the chapter on “Curricula and Courses.” According to the number of credits earned, students in the M.Div. program are classified as follows:
Junior - a student having completed fewer than 30 semester hours.
Middler - a student having completed 30-59 semester hours.
Senior - a student having completed 60, but fewer than the 90 semester hours.
Two Tracks in the Master's Programs
Track I courses are ordinarily offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 8:10am to 6:00pm.
Track II courses are ordinarily offered on Fridays from 6:00pm to 11:00pm, and on Saturdays from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Track II is a flexible arrangement which makes it possible for mature, working, and commuting students to pursue graduate degrees without severely disrupting their obligations to family and careers. The courses offered in this track are usually taught by the regular faculty of the Seminary, and meet the same high academic standards as the courses taught in Track I. Students in the Alabama Extension program will meet their classes concurrently with Track II students in Salisbury via electronic delivery in our state of the art virtual classrooms.
Students enrolled in either track may take courses in the other track, providing they take the majority of courses in the track in which they are registered, and that the total number of credits to be attempted in both tracks in a semester does not exceed a maximum of 15 semester hours. Track II students in their first semester may not exceed a maximum of 9 semester hours. Permission must be obtained from the Dean to exceed that maximum.
The curricula of the M.Div. and M.T.S. programs consist of three components. The first component is a series of required courses, which insure that all students in each program have the same broad foundation on which to build. The second component is elective courses. Students, in consultation with their advisors, may select courses that will allow them to pursue areas of particular interest and/or gain skill areas where they are weak. Third is a research/synthesis component, which consists of either a theology of ministry paper or a thesis. Students should consult with their advisors to determine which option is best suited for them.
Courses in the master’s programs are divided into five areas, according to subject matter: Biblical Studies, History of Christianity, Theology and Ethics, Religion and Society, and Pastoral Theology. Each course is identified by a three-letter alpha code and a three-digit number. The alpha code indicates the area of study to which the course belongs, the first digit indicates the level of the course, and the other two digits identity the specific course. The alpha codes are as follows:
BST = Biblical Studies RSC = Religion and Society CHT = History of Christianity PTH = Pastoral Theology THS = Theology and Ethics
The sequence of courses is based on the degree of difficulty of each course. Courses in the 100 series are basic courses; courses in the 200 series are intermediate; and courses in the 300 series are advanced. Students are generally expected to take required courses in proper sequence in each area.
Successful completion of the required courses in each area is generally a prerequisite for registration in the advanced and some intermediate courses in the area. Thus, it is desirable to complete the required courses as soon as possible. In the sequences of courses below, therefore, it is suggested that more required courses be taken in the first year, to allow for elective enrollment in intermediate and advanced courses in subsequent years.
The faculty in each area may arrange for certain courses to be taken as tutorial or directed study. Tutorial or directed studies are not correspondence courses. They require an appropriate number of contact hours with the instructor for guidance, advisement, and assessment of the work being done. Students desiring to attempt a course through tutorial or directed study are to consult with their academic advisors and make the request to an instructor who must seek the approval of the colleagues in the area and the Dean before effecting any arrangements. Students in the M.Div. program may ordinarily take no more than 15 credit hours of tutorial or directed study, and those in the M.T.S. program, no more than 10 hours.
In the M.T.S. program, students are required to declare a concentration in a subject area, in consultation with their academic advisors and the Chairperson in the area of concentration, and with approval of the Dean.
In the M.Div. program, students may elect to declare a concentration in an area at the beginning of the second year of study, after consultation with their academic advisors and the Chairperson in the area of concentration, and with the permission of the Dean. When such concentration is approved, the required courses for the degree must still be fully satisfied. Students who elect to concentrate in Biblical Studies or Theology are expected to attempt either or both of the biblical languages. Pastoral Care majors are encouraged to complete 6 hours or two CPE units in an A.C.P.E. accredited program.
