Master of Divinity

Total Requirement for Degree (84 credit hours)

The Master of Divinity degree is required by many mainline denominations for individuals preparing for ordained pastoral ministry. Courses at Trinity offer students the opportunity to integrate the various disciplines of theology, their personal and spiritual growth and their contextual experience. Students engage in structured fieldwork in ministry settings where they apply their concepts and practices learned in the classroom.

DEGREE OUTCOMES

For the sake of the mission of the church, graduates of the Master of Divinity degree program should be able to:

Use appropriately the resources of scripture and the church’s historical and theological tradition.
Proclaim and communicate effectively the Gospel.
Interpret and engage with diverse contexts of mission and ministry.
Exercise pastoral leadership in ministry contexts and the public realm.
Demonstrate practices of a healthy faith leader.

Required Courses for all M. Div Students (65 credit hours)

The following Core Courses (Biblical Literature, History-Theology-Society, Ministry Division) must be taken before Internship:

BL 1021 - Old Testament I Credit Hours: 3
BL 1041 - New Testament I Credit Hours: 3
BL 2022 - Old Testament II Credit Hours: 3
BL 2042 - New Testament II Credit Hours: 3
FDN 1010 - Boundaries Training Credit Hours: 0
FDN 1020 - Anti-Racism Training Credit Hours: 0
HTS 1024 - Church History I Credit Hours: 3
HTS 1025 - Church History II Credit Hours: 3
HTS 2044 - Systematic Theology Credit Hours: 3
LA 1001 - Using Biblical Greek Credit Hours: 3
MN 1001 - Person in Ministry Credit Hours: 3
MN 1031 - Introduction to Worship Credit Hours: 3
MN 1045 - Learning in Context I Credit Hours: 0
MN 1046 - Learning in Context II Credit Hours: 0
MN 1047 - Learning in Context III Credit Hours: 0
MN 1050 - Reading the Contexts Credit Hours: 3
MN 1099 - Clinical Pastoral Education Credit Hours: 0
MN 2021 - Ministry of Preaching Credit Hours: 3
MN 2051 - Holistic Pastoral Care Credit Hours: 3
MN 3041 - Education Ministry Credit Hours: 3

The following Courses are taken while on Internship:

HTS 3061 - Theology of Mission Credit Hours: 3
MN 3435 - Theological Leadership Credit Hours: 3
MN 3500 - Ministry Project Credit Hours: 3
MN 3999 - Internship Credit Hours: 0

In addition, all students are required to take courses fulfilling the following areas requirements:

One advanced level Bible course - Courses beginning BL-3XXX meet this requirement (except BL 3604 ).
One advanced Systematic Theology (ST) course. Choose from: HTS 3141 , HTS 3142 , HTS 3143 , HTS 3144 or HTS 3145 .
One World Religions/Interreligious Relations course. Courses listed with the (WR/IR) designation meet this requirement.
One Church in the World course. Courses listed with the designation (CHIW) meet this requirement.
One Ministry topic course. Choose from among MN 2605 , MN 3121 , MN 3122 , MN 3124 , or MN 3601 . These courses are listed with the designation (MN Topic).

FDN 1030 - Cross Cultural Requirement Credit Hours: 0

Electives:

Choose 19 credit hours of coursework in the Biblical Literature (BL), History Theology Society (HTS), Language Acquisition (LA), or Ministry (MN) divisions listed in the course descriptions.

ELCA requirements:

Candidates for rostered ministry in the ELCA are also required to take:

HTS 2031 - Lutheran Confessions Credit Hours: 2 (before internship)
HTS 3031 - Being Lutheran in America Credit Hours: 2