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Design Of The Curriculum

The M.Div. curriculum is designed to offer training for the pastoral ministry. Concentrated study in three basic areas - Bible, theology, and practical theology - characterizes this three-year program. Bible courses include the basic structure and content of each book of the Bible along with such details concerning major characters, dates, and places as are necessary. Principles of hermeneutics and exegesis, using the original languages as well as the English Bible, are also included. Students learn to apply Scripture to contemporary circumstances.

Students are required to pass a comprehensive Bible examination. Remedial studies for any who fail the examination will be required until competency in Bible knowledge is demonstrated. Building upon a biblical foundation, theology is a major area of concentration. The purpose of this study is to provide the theological and historical foundations necessary to understand the nature of the Christian faith and life.

The practical theology courses are designed to enable students to develop competence in ministry. Students are expected to attain required levels of competency in order to accomplish the goal of each course. A variety of experiences and instructors enable students to develop methods and styles of ministry suited to their individual gifts. The number of class hours per week may exceed the number of semester hours of credit. A student attains middler status upon completion of thirty-four semester hours and senior status upon completion of sixty-eight semester hours. The three-year curriculum may also be taken in four years by following the four-year M.Div. schedule, which is available in the Registrar's Office.

Specialization Tracks

The M.Div. curriculum offers the student the option of selecting an area of emphasis. Included in this catalog are schedules of courses for the M.Div. degree that further define the various emphasis area options and the requirements for each.

Jackson
Students taking the M.Div. degree may major in one of four areas: Pastoral ministry, Christian education/youth ministry, counseling, and intercultural-studies/missions. All four programs require a total of 106 semester hours.

Orlando
Students enrolled in the 106-hour M.Div. curriculum may select from areas of specialization including biblical studies, church planting/missions, counseling, or theological studies.

Charlotte
Within the 106-hour M.Div. curriculum, a student has the opportunity to take elective courses in theology and biblical studies.

Meaning Of The Degree

A degree from Reformed Theological Seminary indicates that the graduate has completed the requirements for the course of study. Although the M.Div. degree meets the standard educational requirements for ordination in most denominations, the degree does not certify that the graduate necessarily possesses all the biblical qualifications requisite for the ministry or adheres to the Reformed faith. Graduation from Reformed Theological Seminary with either the M.Div. degree or diploma should not in itself be construed as a recommendation for the ministry.

Ecclesiastical bodies and pulpit committees are responsible for applying their own requirements for ordination to determine the doctrinal soundness, suitability, and readiness for ministry of a particular graduate.