Master of Divinity Degree [M.Div.]

The Master of Divinity program is designed to prepare you for active ministry. Building on a strong foundation of Bible-content course work, training is supplemented by additional tools to aid you in the pastorate. This program aims at the student’s acquisition of sound tools for studying the Scriptures. Comprehensive coverage coupled with technical skills is a hallmark of this curriculum. A unique feature of this M.Div. program is the opportunity to learn practical Christian school applications to prepare the graduate for a well-rounded ministry.

Study for the Master of Divinity includes mastery of a field of knowledge combined with close attention to personal spiritual growth. A minimum of 96 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree is required for the M.Div. degree.

Residence Requirements

All work for the M.Div. degree must be completed within seven consecutive years. Residence work may be completed in three each fall/spring semesters with several one-week modules required. This option requires taking 14–16 credits each semester. Course load may be reduced by enrolling in one-week modules, summer sessions, distance learning, or additional fall/spring semesters.

Minimum residence requirements can be completed with careful planning in two school years (fall/spring) with remaining courses taken through one-week modules, summer sessions and distance learning.

Plan of Study

Students in the Master of Divinity program complete a minimum of 96 credit hours of course work. Sixty-four credit hours must be completed at Pensacola Theological Seminary. During each semester in residence the applicant will enroll in a maximum of 15 credit hours of courses on campus. The student enrolls in one course each module or summer session.

Three different tracks accommodate a wide variety of undergraduate training. Track 1 is for students who completed an undergraduate degree in pastoral ministries or a related area including two years of college Greek. Track 2 is for students whose undergraduate training included exposure to Bible-content courses but no biblical languages. Track 3 is for students called to the ministry after completing a liberal arts baccalaureate degree with no prior formal Bible training.

Admission Requirements

See General Admission Requirements. Master of Divinity students are not required to have majored in Bible on the undergraduate level. A liberal arts baccalaureate degree substantially similar to that of Pensacola Christian College undergraduates is required. Students not holding a standard baccalaureate degree should contact the Seminary-Graduate Studies Office for admission options.

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Advanced Standing

An incoming student may receive up to 30 hours of advanced standing. Advanced standing will be granted only for courses comparable to those offered at Pensacola Theological Seminary and in which at least a “B” was earned.

Transfer of Credits

Up to 32 hours of seminary credit may be transferred for the Master of Divinity program. Courses must have a minimum grade of “C” to be transferred. Determination of applicability of specific transfer courses to meet graduation requirements will be made by the Seminary Office.

Class Standing

Junior

A junior is a student who has satisfied entrance requirements and who has completed fewer than 30 credit hours including approved transfer course work.

Middler

A middler is a student who has completed at least 30 credit hours but fewer than 60 credit hours including approved transfer course work.

Senior

A senior is a student who has completed at least 60 credit hours including approved transfer course work.

Candidacy

A Master of Divinity student is required to maintain a 2.00 grade point average (based on a 4.00 scale) while completing his seminary studies. Upon completion of 48 credit hours (including advanced standing) and two semesters in residence, the student will be evaluated for candidacy. In addition to the evaluation, all undergraduate deficiencies must be removed.

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Graduation Requirements

The Master of Divinity degree is conferred on students who satisfactorily complete the course of study outlined in the catalog and the following requirements.

1. Complete at least 96 credit hours, including all courses required for this program of study.
2. Earn a 2.00 grade point average (on a 4.00 scale) at Pensacola Theological Seminary and receive at least a “C” in all courses.
3. Complete the residence requirements at Pensacola Theological Seminary.
4. Complete a Petition for Graduation form in the Records Office no later than registration for the first class of the summer of anticipated graduation, or by the end of the drop/add period of the fall or spring semester of anticipated graduation. (Graduation fees are assessed based on stated anticipated graduation date.)
5. Settle all financial obligations to the Seminary.

All graduation requirements must be completed prior to participation in convocation. If a student has completed the graduation requirements and is on campus, he must participate in convocation.

Courses	Hours
Bible Exposition	27
BI 503: Advanced New Testament‡	3
BI 513: Advanced Old Testament‡	3
BI 614: Revelation‡	3
BI: Electives‡	18
Language	18
Greek	12
BL 645: Hebrew I	3
BL 646: Hebrew II	3
Theology	6
TH 553: Biblical Theology‡	3
TH 554: Biblical Theology‡	3
History	12
BI 537: God’s Church through the Ages	3
BI 538: Church Trends and Changes in the Last Century‡	3
BI 543: History of American Education‡	3
BI 640: Doctrine and History of Preservation of the Text‡	3
Pastoral Theology	18
PT 531: Expository Preaching I	3
PT 532: Expository Preaching II	3
PT 682: Management: Programming the Local Church‡	3
PT 629: Christian Education‡	3
PT 631: Preaching Through a New Testament Book	3
PT 632: Preaching Through an Old Testament Book	3
Electives (Bible or Education)‡*	15
Total Hours † 96
‡These courses may be taken as one-week modules and/or as summer sessions. Other courses may be offered periodically as summer sessions. *Students in track one or two may take up to 6 hours in any graduate area. Remaining hours are taken in Bible or education. †Students who did not earn credit for Baptist Polity and/or Church Planting from PCC on the undergraduate level will be required to take PT 501 Baptist Polity and/or PT 513 Evangelism and Church Planting in addition to these requirements.

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Track One

Suggested course sequence for students with Bible undergraduate training including biblical languages

*Students who took one or two Hebrew courses as undergraduates may replace this/these with BL 647, BL 648, or graduate electives. ‡These courses may be taken as one-week modules, distance learning, and/or as summer sessions. Up to 6 hours of electives may be taken in any graduate area. Remaining hours are taken in Bible or education.

Track Two

Suggested course sequence for students with Bible undergraduate training without biblical languages

*Students who took one or two Hebrew courses as undergraduates may replace this/these with BL 647, BL 648, or graduate electives. ‡These courses may be taken as one-week modules, distance learning, and/or as summer sessions. Up to 6 hours of electives may be taken in any graduate area. Remaining hours are taken in Bible or education.

Track Three

Suggested course sequence for students without Bible undergraduate training or biblical languages

‡These courses may be taken as one-week modules, distance learning, and/or as summer sessions.

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