Master of Divinity (MDiv)

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The Master of Divinity (MDiv) program prepares women and men for professional ministry in the Church. Azusa Pacific Seminary faculty bring to the program a unique combination of the highest academic credentials and extensive ministerial experience.

Mission Statement

The Master of Divinity program prepares men and women for vocational ministry in the Church through a course of study comprising 74 units in theological, biblical, and ministerial studies. An important feature of the program is an intentional integration of academic and experiential components—students must engage in some form of supervised ministry during their degree program. An optional biblical studies emphasis serves students preparing for postgraduate work in biblical studies for careers teaching in colleges, universities, or seminaries through additional coursework in biblical languages and biblical studies.

Exceptions to Admission Requirements

A limited number of applicants who do not have baccalaureate degrees but have extensive ministerial experience may be considered for admission. For a description of the standards governing this exception, contact the Azusa Pacific Seminary associate dean. Students admitted under this exception must obtain a B or better in their first 12 units of coursework.

Requirements

The Master of Divinity program requires 74 units of coursework comprising 12 units of biblical studies, 12 units of theological studies, 12 units of ministry studies, 12 units in integrative core, 5 units in mentored ministry, 1 unit in intercultural experience, 4 units of a biblical language (which may be waived for students who have completed a year of undergraduate Hebrew or Greek), 12 units of electives, and a 4-unit capstone course.

Biblical Language Requirement 14
Elements of Greek Exegesis
Biblical Studies Core12
Torah and Prophets: Exodus-2 Kings
Biblical Interpretation: Exploring Genesis 2
Paul the Pastor and Theologian
Theological Studies Core12
Church History I
Church History II
Christian Theology
Ministry Core12
Ministry Life and Leadership
Christian Formation and Discipleship
Pastoral Counseling and Church Health
Integrative Core12
The Bible and Preaching
Ethics and Worship
The Gospels and Christology
Mentored Ministry5
Community Retreat
Mentored Ministry 3
Intercultural Experience1
Urban Immersion L.A.
Capstone4
M.Div. Capstone
Electives12
Total Units74
1

Students who have completed one year of undergraduate Hebrew or Greek with a grade of B or better may waive this requirement. The requirement may also be filled with either GBBL 500, or GBBL 510 and GBBL 520, or GBBL 530 and GBBL 540.

2

GBBL 511 is a prerequisite to all GBBL courses, GINS 507, and GINS 542.

3

Repeated for a total of 4 units.

Additional Degree Requirements

Supervised Ministry

All students in the program must devote at least eight hours per week, for the duration of the degree program, to the practice of some form of supervised ministry in an approved church or parachurch field ministry center. In order to graduate, students must maintain at least a 2.7 grade-point average.

The Master of Divinity must be completed within 10 years from the date of admission. APU coursework completed more than 10 years prior to completion of degree requirements is not acceptable toward the degree.

Admission

University graduate admission and program-specific requirements must be met before an application is complete (see Admission to the University). Program-specific application requirements are available online.

International students should contact Graduate and Professional Admissions for application procedures.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Model a holy life through spiritual disciplines reflecting a Wesleyan heritage of faith and love.
  2. Interpret Scripture with reverent criticism, theological insight, and constructive imagination, beginning with the inductive method of Bible study, for the edification of the Church.
  3. Think theologically through the Wesleyan quadrilateral (Scripture, Church tradition, reason, and experience) in a manner that is faithful to the past and responsive to the present.
  4. Develop competency in the pastoral responsibilities of preaching, teaching, leadership, and pastoral care.
  5. Analyze various cultural constructs and global issues in order to provide transforming leadership for the Church.