ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Master of Divinity (89 semester hours)
|
Program Committee Chair:
John W. Auxier
Associate Professor of Counselling, President (Acting) and Dean of Trinity Western Seminary |
Mission
The purpose of the degree is to develop godly leaders who will have a love and compassion for others growing out of their strong commitment to Jesus Christ and the Christian scriptures. A combination of classroom and church-based environments are used to equip graduates with the spiritual and personal maturity, biblical understanding, theological knowledge and practical skills and competencies to plant, develop and lead healthy churches.
Goals
Spiritual Growth:
1. Christian conversion
2. Christ-like attitudes
3. Christ-like practice and mission
4. Growth nourishing activities
Personal Maturity:
1. Emotional and psychological health
2. Stewardship
3. Qualities promoting durability in ministry
4. Leadership aptitudes
Interpersonal Skills:
1. Healthy family relationships
2. Wholesome relational skills
3. Faithful participation in Christian community
4. Strategic/Intentional involvement in wider Christian community
Biblical/Theological:
1. Thorough Bible knowledge
2. Effective interpretive skill in discerning meaning
3. Sufficient awareness of relevant historical traditions/contexts
4. Theological synthesis leading to an ordering of conviction/praxis
5. General Knowledge necessary for forming a theological synthesis and effective praxis
Competencies:
1. Critical reasoning skills
2. Cultural analysis
3. Effective communication skills
4. Development of personal philosophy of ministry
5. Mentoring skills
6. Teamwork skills
7. Vocation specific skills
8. Ability to pursue denominational credentialing
Admission Requirements
- Normally a Bachelors degree from an accredited university or Bible college. A pre-seminary undergraduate program is the most desirable preparation, with at least two semesters of Greek language instruction. Minimum 2.5 GPA.
a) Individuals who have a degree from an unaccredited institution with minimally a 2.5 GPA are encouraged to apply. In such cases they will be admitted on academic probation for an initial 15 semester hours of study. An academic review will be conducted at that point and a decision made regarding final admission.
b) Individuals who have accumulated the equivalent of 4 years of post-secondary education completed within the fifteen years prior to admission, have 5 years of work experience, preferably in some sort of supervisory role, and show potential for pastoral ministry, should apply to the Diploma in Christian Studies. After completing 15 semester hours of graduate studies with a 2.5 GPA, the student could apply for admission to the MDV degree. Credits completed in the Diploma would be transferable to the MDV program.
c) Prerequisites *
BIE 500 Introduction to the Bible 2
THS 540 Introduction to Theology 2
BIL 500 Greek I 3
BIL 501 Greek II 3
RES 500 Research Strategies 1
LBR 490 Library Skills (1) - required for international students
* Students who lack these prerequisites will be required to complete them during the first year of their studies. Students who do not have minimally 12 semester hours in Bible or appropriate Religious Studies in their Bachelors program will complete BIE 500 and THS 540 prior to or during their first semester of studies. - Letter of recommendation from home church board.
- Evidence of biblical conversion and a commitment to obedient discipleship.
- Supportive and suitable references.
- Awareness of God’s call to pastoral or church-related ministry.
- According to the Association of Theological Schools criteria up to 10% of the annual enrolment in the MDV can be comprised of individuals who do not have a bachelors degree or its equivalent. To be considered for admission under this category, individuals must:
a) minimally have two years of post-secondary education (i.e. four semesters of full time study);
b) some years of work experience, preferably in some sort of leadership role;
c) evidence of life experience which has prepared them for graduate theological education.
Such individuals will first complete the Diploma in Christian Studies or a recognized degree completion program. Upon successful completion of either program, achieving minimally a 2.5 GPA, the student will be considered for admission to the MDV program. - Students for whom English is a second language must attain a TOEFL score of 100 iBT (with 23 minimum in each category of Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing) and in addition will be required normally to participate in the English Writing Lab to assist them in the completion of their assignments.
Candidacy Requirements
ACTS bears a significant responsibility to students, churches, and denominations to effectively assess students as to their potential for careers in ministry. As the MDV degree is understood to be the primary ministry preparation degree, a serious process of candidacy functions within CLD (first year, second semester) for MDV students only. Candidacy status does not insure a student’s ultimate success in ministry, but it does affirm that the student appears to have the ability to complete the MDiv program successfully and look toward a potential future in ministry.
Candidacy is approved by the MDV committee based on evaluative data gathered from the student’s faculty and pastoral mentors, as well as, from a professor of the student’s choice. Every attempt will be made to communicate clearly with the student throughout this process.
Candidacy takes place during the student’s first year and second semester of CLD. A grade will not be recorded for this course until a determination of candidacy is complete. Failure to achieve candidacy may mean that the student will be advised to do remedial work, consider a change of program, or a redirection of the student's academic priorities. Candidacy requires a minimum B grade for her or his first two CLD courses.
Graduation Requirements
The graduation requirements for the Master of Divinity degree include:
- Minimum GPA of 2.50
- Completion of all course and internship requirements (91 semester hours).
- Completion of at least 45 semester hours of study at ACTS towards completion of the MDV.
- Give evidence of consistent Christian character, conduct, and biblical faith and recommendation accordingly by the faculty.
ACTS seeks to stand behind its graduates. However, graduation will not automatically result in a recommendation for placement.
Students may apply up to 15 semester hours of credits to the MDV earned through the ACTS Graduate Guided Distance Education Courses.
Vocational Outcomes
ACTS seeks to stand behind its graduates. However, graduation will not automatically result in a recommendation for placement. That said, graduates have found placement in areas such as: pastoral ministry; adult and youth ministries; para-counselling/recovery ministries; religious education; publishing; health and welfare ministries; chaplaincy; teaching; administration; and communications.
Download the MDV Program Handbook
Program Requirements (91 semester hours)
Biblical Studies in the English Bible (12 semester hours)
|
Course
|
Description
|
Hrs
|
| BIE 505 |
Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics |
3 |
| Biblical Language Elective |
|
9 |
Theological Studies (12 semester hours)
|
Course
|
Description
|
Hrs
|
| THS 571 |
Introduction to Believers' Church Theology |
3 |
| Theology & Bible (Choose three of) |
|
9 |
| THS 671 |
The God Who Creates, Sustains and Redeems |
3 |
| THS 672 |
Redemption Accomplished and Comsummated |
3 |
| THS 602 |
Christian Ethics |
3 |
| BIE 552 |
New Testament Theology |
3 |
| BIE 610 |
Old Testament Theology |
3 |
Leadership and Mentored Ministry (12 semester hours)
|
Course
|
Description
|
Hrs
|
| CLD 510 |
Foundations of Christian Leadership |
3 |
| Choose Three |
|
9 |
| CLD 531 |
Personal Dimensions of Leadership Development |
3 |
| CLD 532 |
Power, Change, and Conflict |
3 |
| CLD 533 |
Mentoring, Team-Building, and Equipping |
3 |
| CLD 534 |
Vision, Strategic Planning and Organizational Leadership |
3 |
| CLD 535 |
Cross-Cultural Encounter |
1 |
Ministry Skills Formation (12 semester hours)
|
Course
|
Description
|
Hrs
|
| PTH 603 |
Homiletics |
3 |
| PTH 605 |
Pastoral Counselling |
3 |
| Choose two of: |
|
6 |
| PTH 600 |
Pastoral Formation |
3 |
| PTH 762 |
Preaching Laboratory |
3 |
| PTH 613 |
Evangelism and Faith Formation |
3 |
| PTH 616 |
Marriage Enrichment |
3 |
Research Foundations (5 credit hours)
|
Course
|
Description
|
Hrs
|
| THS 540 |
Introduction to Theology |
2 |
| RES 500 |
Research Strategies |
1 |
| BIE 500 |
Introduction to the Bible |
2 |
Exegetical Studies in Ancient Languages (12 credit hours)
|
Course
|
Description
|
Hrs
|
| Exegetical Foundations: |
|
6 |
| BIL 500 |
Introductory New Testament Greek I |
3 |
| BIL 501 |
Introductory New Testament Greek II |
3 |
| Biblical Exegesis |
|
6 |
| BIL 502 |
New Testament Greek Exegesis I |
3 |
| BIE 600 |
New Testament Greek Exegesis II |
3 |
| Hebrew language option available |
|
6 |
History and Culture (12 semester hours)
|
Course
|
Description
|
Hrs
|
| THS 680 |
Christianity and Culture |
3 |
| CCM 661 |
The Church and World Mission |
3 |
| Choose two of: |
|
6 |
| HIS 540 |
History of Christianity I |
3 |
| HIS 541 |
History of Christianity II |
3 |
| CCM 663 |
History of the Non-Western Church |
3 |
| Denominational History and Theology |
|
3 |
Elective Options or Specialization Track (12 credits)
|
Course
|
Description
|
Hrs
|
| Electives |
|
12 |