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.

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 addtion to the evaluation, all undergraduate deficiencies must be removed.

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.

Master of Divinity

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 530 Introduction to Preaching
3
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 630 Preaching Through a 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.
*Up to 6 hours may be taken in any graduate area except Track 3. Remaining hours are taken in Bible or education.

Track One

Suggested course sequence for students with Bible undergraduate training including Biblical Languages

FALL SPRING JUNIOR

BIElective‡3
BI 503Advanced New Testament‡3
BI 537
 
God’s Church through
     the Ages

3
BLGreek Exegesis3
 Elective‡3
Total Hours15
BIElective‡3
BI 640
 
Doctrine and History of
     Preservation of the Text‡

3
BLGreek Exegesis3
TH 553Biblical Theology‡3
 Elective‡3
Total Hours15

FALL SPRING MIDDLER

BIElective‡3
BLGreek Exegesis3
PT 530Introduction to Preaching3
PT 629Christian Education‡3
TH 554
 
Biblical Theology‡
 
3
 
Total Hours15
BI 513Advanced Old Testament‡3
BI 614Revelation‡3
BLGreek Exegesis3
PT 531 Expository Preaching I 3
PT 682Management: Programming the
     Local Church‡
3
Total Hours15

FALL SPRING SENIOR

BI 543History of American Education‡3
BL 645Hebrew I*3
PT 532 Expository Preaching II3
Electives ‡†6
 

Total Hours

15
BIElective‡3
BI 538
 
Church Trends and Changes in the
     Last Century‡

3
BL 646Hebrew II*3
PT 630Preaching Through a Book3
Elective‡3
Total Hours15

ONE-WEEK BIBLE MODULES

BIElectives‡6
*Students with one semester of undergraduate Hebrew take BL 646 Hebrew II and a graduate elective. Students with two semesters of undergraduate Hebrew take two graduate electives.
‡These courses may be taken as one-week modules and/or as summer sessions. Students may choose to take a Bible elective during a fall or spring semester and one of these courses in a modular format. Up to 6 hours of electives may be taken in any graduate area. Remaining hours are taken in Bible or education.
†Students must take PT 513 Evangelism and Church Planting if they if not take a similar course on the undergraduate level.


Track Two

Suggested course sequence for students with Bible undergraduate training without Biblical Languages

FALL SPRING JUNIOR

BIElective‡3
BI 503Advanced New Testament‡3
BI 537
 
God’s Church through
     the Ages

3
BL 500Fundamentals of Greek3
 Elective‡3
Total Hours15
BIElective‡3
BI 640
 
Doctrine and History of
     Preservation of the Text‡

3
BL 501Fundamentals of Greek3
TH 553Biblical Theology‡3
 Elective‡3
Total Hours15

FALL SPRING MIDDLER

BIElective‡3
BL 505Advanced Greek Syntax3
PT 530Introduction to Preaching3
PT 629Christian Education‡3
TH 554
 
Biblical Theology‡
 
3
 
Total Hours15
BI 513Advanced Old Testament‡3
BI 614Revelation‡3
BLGreek Exegesis3
PT 531 Expository Preaching I 3
PT 682Management: Programming the
     Local Church‡
3
Total Hours15

FALL SPRING SENIOR

BI 543History of American Education‡3
BL 645Hebrew I†3
PT 532 Expository Preaching II 3
Electives ‡**6
 
 
Total Hours15
BI Electives‡5
BI 538
 
Church Trends and Changes in the
     Last Century‡

3
BL 646Hebrew II*3
PT 501Baptist Polity*1
PT 630Preaching Through a Book3
Total Hours15

ONE-WEEK BIBLE MODULES

BIElectives‡6
*Students who took Baptist Polity on undergraduate level may replace with an elective‡.
†Students with one semester of undergraduate Hebrew take BL 646 Hebrew II and a graduate elective. Students with two semesters of undergraduate Hebrew take two graduate electives.
‡These courses may be taken as one-week modules and/or as summer sessions. Students may choose to take a Bible elective during a fall or spring semester and one of these courses in a modular format. Up to 6 hours of electives may be taken in any graduate area. Remaining hours are taken in Bible or education.
**Students must take PT 513 Evangelism and Church Planting if they if not take a similar course on the undergraduate level.


Track Three

Suggested course sequence for students without Bible undergraduate training or Biblical Languages

FALL SPRING JUNIOR

BI 500New Testament Fundamentals3
BI 537
 
God’s Church through
     the Ages

3
BI 622Romans3
BI 675Genesis3
BL 500Fundamentals of Greek3
Total Hours15
BI 510Old Testament Fundmentals3
BI 606Acts3
BI/EDElective‡3
BL 501Fundamentals of Greek3
TH 553Biblical Theology‡3

Total Hours

15

FALL SPRING MIDDLER

BI 543History of American Education‡3
BL 505Advanced Greek Syntax3
PT 530Introduction to Preaching3
PT 629Christian Education‡3
TH 554
 
Biblical Theology‡
 
3
 
Total Hours15
BI 513Advanced Old Testament‡3
BI 614Revelation‡3
BLGreek Exegesis3
PT 531 Expository Preaching I 3
PT 682
 
Management: Programming the
     Local Church‡
3
Total Hours15

FALL SPRING SENIOR

BI 503Advanced New Testament3
BI 684Life and Teachings of Jesus3
BIElective‡2
BL 645Hebrew I3
PT 513Evangelism and Church Planting1
PT 532 Expository Preaching II3


Total Hours


15
BIElective‡2
BI 538
 
Church Trends and Changes in the
     Last Century‡

3
BI 640
 
Doctrine and History of
     Preservation of the Text‡

3
BL 646Hebrew II3
PT 501Baptist Polity1
PT 630Preaching Through a Book3
Total Hours15

ONE-WEEK BIBLE MODULES

BIElectives‡6
‡These courses may be taken as one-week modules and/or as summer sessions. Students may choose to take a Bible elective during a fall or spring semester and one of these courses in a modular format.