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Aims and Outcomes

The Master of Divinity with a Concentration in Black Church Studies is designed for students who wish to combine their vocational ministry training with the pressing contemporary issues of the black church. The cohort model, instructors, and assigned readings (where relevant) will also provide further contextualization of the Master of Divinity degree. For additional information, see the 听degree in the听Graduate and Pharmacy Catalog.

Structure and Delivery

海角在线鈥檚 MDiv was created from scratch with a twenty-first-century ministry in view. After consulting with innovative pastors and scholars and reflecting on the gaps in seminary education, it was decided to move beyond the isolated silos of traditional seminary approaches in delivery methods and curriculum. The structure of the MDiv with a Black Church Concentration thus contains six unique features:

Cohort community:听Because we learn best in a thriving community, students benefit from a cohort model, with daytime classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays or evening synchronous online classes;

Efficient learning:听Because master-level education should build upon a solid foundation, the curriculum features advanced courses while avoiding the repetition of undergraduate introductory courses;

Integrated thinking:听Because real-life ministry requires integrated thinking, students study the Bible, Theology, and Practical Theology in paired courses across disciplines;

Flipped classroom:听Because learning is best experienced in safe spaces of trial and error, students learn the biblical languages through an engaging flipped classroom approach;

Leadership development:听Because practitioners need intentional practice, students develop their leadership skills in three apprenticeships, serving under a ministry leader and gaining over 450 hours of hands-on experience;

Relevant education:听Because we believe academic theology belongs to the church, students are able to meet in January for a weeklong intensive course with senior scholars and community pastors/leaders who model the integration of academic study and practical ministry.

Program Length

See further the 听degree in the听Graduate and Pharmacy Catalog.

Admission

The admission requirements and process may be found in the relevant section of the听Graduate and Pharmacy Catalog.

Degree Requirements

All students studying for the MDiv, Black Church Studies Concentration (75 credit hours) will complete an integrated core (36 credit hours), ministry-training courses (15 credit hours), biblical languages (12 credit hours), and Black Church Studies concentration courses (12 credit hours).