Master of Divinity (MDiv)

(90 credit hours)

As part of Regent’s mission to equip women and men to live, work and minister in their varied vocations in ways honouring to God, the Master of Divinity program is designed with the vocational pastor, missionary, church worker and para-church worker in view. One of the distinctive features of Regent’s MDiv program is our long-held conviction that before students ask the question, What does it mean to be a minister? they must first ask, What does it mean to be a human being in relationship with Jesus Christ in our time? Thus, the MDiv curriculum is shaped so that the formation of the Christian person precedes and underlies the more particular formation of the Christian leader. Consequently, MDiv students begin their program with the four foundational courses (see below) in which students reflect on the entire history of the people of God—in the Bible and throughout the history of the Church—in order to understand more clearly how we are actors in the same story.In addition, the MDiv curriculum focuses on the knowledge, skills and perspectives that are essential for ministry: biblical interpretation, theological understanding, historical awareness, practical training and the ability to integrate faith with life in the world. A working knowledge of at least one of the biblical languages is required. Elective options also give students the opportunity to pursue specific interests, and students may complete a concentration in a specific area if they wish. A minimum of three years is needed to complete the MDiv program. While it is possible to complete the degree in three years, many students choose to take longer; in practice, two-thirds of MDiv students complete in four years or less.

The MDiv degree will be awarded for the successful completion of 90 credit hours of study with a grade point average of 3.0 (= B) or better. The requirements of the MDiv program are as follows:

Required Foundations:	Credit Hours
Old Testament Foundations	3
New Testament Foundations	3
Christian Thought & Culture I	3
Christian Thought & Culture II	3
Required Courses:
The Soul of Ministry	3
Christian Education and Equipping Ministry	3
Pastoral Care	3
Preaching and Worship	3
Empowering the Church for Re-Evangelization	3
Supervised Ministry	3
Biblical Exegesis and Interpretation	3
Biblical Hermeneutics and Criticism	3
Advanced Old Testament Exegesis or Advanced New Testament Exegesis	3
History of Christianity I	3
History of Christianity II	3
Biblical Languages	12
Pastoral Ethics or Basic Christian Ethics	3
Systematic Theology A	3
Systematic Theology B	3
Systematic Theology C	3
The History of Doctrine	3
Required Areas:
Biblical Studies	3
Interdisciplinary Studies Electives	3
Spiritual Theology Elective	3
Other Electives	9
Total:	90

Notes:

1. The process of vocational discernment is crucial to the MDiv program, involving both students’ personal reflection and faculty’s observation of students. The MDiv program consists of two stages: (i) Vocational Discernment Stage, and (ii) Candidacy for the MDiv Degree Stage. Progression from the first to the second stage occurs upon the recommendation of the MDiv Committee, and this recommendation is a requirement for graduation with the MDiv degree. The Committee recommends those students who, in its opinion, are especially gifted for Christian ministry, and its recommendation is based on a variety of reports which reflect on the student’s suitability for ministry, especially reports from The Soul of Ministry and from Supervised Ministry.
2. Regent College places high value on personal interaction in its equipping for professional ministry. Consequently, it is expected that MDiv students will spend a minimum of two years at Regent College in order to complete The Soul of Ministry, Supervised Ministry and other required courses, and also to benefit from the community of faculty and students at Regent College.
3. Concentrations in the MDiv program are optional. Students may apply a maximum of six credits of their required MDiv courses towards a concentration. Available concentrations are listed here.
4. For further information concerning the MDiv program see the Academics section.