Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is the major program of the Seminary. It is designed to provide a well-rounded preparation for ordained ministry by:

  • providing students with the foundational knowledge in all disciplines essential to the practice of ordained ministry; and
  • enabling students to interpret that knowledge and apply it in a relevant way in the cultural contexts of their own ministries.

The MDiv is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of 84 credit hours over a minimum of three academic years and a maximum of ten academic years. Credit is distributed among required courses and elective courses.

Beginning fall 2017, students who have completed 18 hours in the M.Div. program will have the option of declaring up to 2 concentrations in that degree program, fulfilled through the completion of 12 elective hours in the following areas: biblical studies, church history, theology and social ethics, preaching and worship, pastoral care and counseling, and/or Christian education. Final transcripts will clearly indicate that M.Div. students who (i) declare a concentration in one of these areas and (ii) receive grades of "B-" or higher in each of their elective courses of concentration have fulfilled concentration requirements.

MDiv Recommended Sequence Track I

MDiv Recommended Sequence Track II

MDiv Concentrations

To declare a concentration MDiv students must submit a Concentration Declaration Form on which the student verifies the completion of at least 18 credit hours in good standing. Concentration Declaration Forms are found on the Forms/Policy Tab of myHood and are available in the lobby outside the Registrar’s office. A student may declare a maximum of two concentrations from the areas listed below. A grade no lower than ‘B-” must be earned in each course. Concentrations consist of the completion of 12 elective hours in the chosen area. All concentration electives must be taken at Hood. An elective can be used in only one concentration.

Biblical Studies
Students may select any elective course with the prefix BST. The required courses BST 103 Introduction to OT I, BST 104 Introduction to OT II, BST 112 Introduction to NT I and BST 113 Introduction to NT II may not be included in the concentration.

History of Christianity
Students may select any elective course with the prefix CHT. The required courses CHT 115 History Christianity in a Global Context and CHT 200 History of Christianity in the US may not be included in the concentration.

Theology and Social Ethics
Students may select any elective course with the prefix TSE. The required courses TSE 110 Systematic Theology I, TSE 111 Systematic Theology II and TSE 120 Christian Ethics may not be included in the concentration.

Preaching and Worship
Students may select any elective course under the catalogue heading “Homilietics” or “Worship and Hymnology”. The required courses PTH 103 Worship and Preaching I and PTH 380 Worship and Preaching II and the elective PTH 114 Seminary Choir may not be included in the concentration. The following BST courses are eligible electives for this concentration: BST 205 The Psalms in Worship, Preaching, and Devotion; BST 240 Reading Mark for Preaching Gospel; BST 241 Reading Luke for Preaching Gospel; BST 242 Reading Matthew for Preaching Gospel; and BST 248 Reading Epistles for Preaching. The BST courses may be used for only one concentration – Biblical Studies or Preaching and Worship – not for both.

Pastoral Care and Counseling
Students may select any elective course under the catalogue heading “Pastoral Care”. The required course PTH 141 Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling may not be included in the concentration.

Christian Education
Students may select any elective course under the catalogue heading “Christian Education”. The course used to meet the Christian Education requirement may not be included in the concentration.