Options for current MDiv students in light of new VDS Curriculum in 18-19

  • Current MDiv students whose projected graduation date (as listed in YES on January 8, 2018)isafter Fall 2018are eligible to transfer into the new VDS curriculum. They must make this decision by August 1, 2018. No options for moving into the new VDS curriculum will exist after this window.
  • MDiv students whose current graduation dateis Fall 2018 or before (as listed in YES on January 8, 2018) arenot eligible to transfer into the new VDS curriculum, which begins in the fall of 2018.No exceptions can be made to this eligibility because of external accreditation standards.

MDivRequirements (72 hours) and Equivalencies

Required Common Courses (39 hours)

I. Each student shall complete all of the following courses:

5000. First Semester Orientation Course. [3, P/F][Current students may fulfill this requirement by substituting the three cluster electives in race/class, gender/sexuality, interreligious encounter. But they may double-count courses that qualify in multiple cluster electives, e.g. a course that qualifies for both race and gender, e.g. Womanist Ethics]

6500. Hebrew Bible. [3]

6600. New Testament. [3].

6700. History of Global Christianity I. [3] [Formation of Christian Traditions]

6708. History of Global Christianity II. [3]. [Reformation]

6801. Introduction to Christian Theology [3] [Constructive Christian Theology I]

A Christian Theology Elective [3] [Constructive Christian Theology II or an approved course taught by Theology faculty]

An approved ethics course. [3]

7900. Supervised Ministry and Seminar. FALL and SPRING [3–3]

7998. Master of Divinity Seminar and Project. [3]

II. Each student shall complete two of the following courses:

7000. Pastoral Theology and Care. [3]

6701. History of Christian Liturgy. [3], or any other course designated as fulfilling this requirement.

6901. Fundamentals of Preaching. [3], or any other course designated as fulfilling this requirement.

a course on leadership and ministry, as approved. [3]

a course on religious education, as approved. [3]

Concentration (12 hours)

Upon satisfactory completion of the First Semester Orientation Course, the Master Divinity program requires students to select a concentration based on vocational interests. Students may elect to choose an additional concentration should their schedule permit. Concentrations are comprised of 12 credit hours including a praxis-oriented course or experience. This latter requirement may be met by field education or an engagement with praxis as determined by the concentration steering committee.

Current students must work with the Associate Dean, Asst. Dean/Registrar to determine which previous classes may count for concentrations. Once the Academic Affairs office process is complete, final sign off on the concentration fulfillment will come from the concentration convener.

Electives (21 hours)