Master of Divinity Equivelancy Required Courses for DMin Program
The Association of Theological Schools requires a Master of Divinity or its equivalent to enter any accredited Doctor of Ministry program. You are required to have a 3.0 GPA unless there are extenuating circumstances. If you have an M.A. degree (in a field related to your proposed D.Min. studies) but not an M.Div., you meet equivalency if you have 80 semester hours and they include the following core courses. There are some differences in admission requirements as explained on the second page. Courses available online are indicated. Contact the D.Min. Office concerning these.
Required Core Courses for Master of Divinity Equivalency:
Eight hours of theology required:
TH 501 Survey of Christian Doctrine I
(Available online), 3 SH
Introduces students to the task, resources, and method of doing theology, together with the doctrines of revelation, Scripture, God, creation, providence, the human person and sin. The course examines the historical context, biblical basis, and applications for life and ministry for the doctrines considered.
TH 502 Survey of Christian Doctrine II
(Available online), 3 SH
Introduces students to the doctrines of the person and work of Christ, aspects of the plan and progress of salvation, the nature and mission of the church, major theological systems, and general and personal eschatology. Issues of historical context, biblical foundation, and application for life and ministry will be considered for each doctrine.
2-hour Theology course of your choice or each of the above could be increased to 4 SH each.
PR 501 Defending the Christian Faith
3SH
Trains students in the practice of Christian apologetics by equipping them to build a strong intellectual case for Christian theism as well as providing the tools to discern non-Christian viewpoints, such as naturalism, deism, pantheism, and postmodernism.
BI 501 Effective Biblical Interpretation
(Available online), 2 SH
Foundational for all biblical studies, this course introduces the students to the proper principles and methods for correctly interpreting Scripture. It traces the history of interpreting the Bible since its writing, the need for appropriate presuppositions, the nature of preunderstanding, the goals for interpretation, essential methods for performing the task, and an introduction to the various genres of both testaments as the requisite basis for doing biblical interpretation today.
HOM 612 Expository Preaching of New Testament Texts
3SH
This is the foundational course in the field of homiletics. The basics of sermon preparation and delivery are emphasized. Building on that instruction, students will prepare and preach at least two sermons from different passages of the New Testament in conjunction with Greek exegesis.
IM 501 Introduction to Ministry in Intercultural Contexts
2SH
In this survey of the church’s missionary task, students are introduced to the biblical foundations of mission, its historical development, its socio-cultural context and its methodological implementation, both overseas and in North America. Also considered are the elements of an effective missions program in the local church.
OT 511 Understanding Early Israel and Its Wisdom Literature
(Available online), 3 SH
Surveys the content, historical background, critical issues, and key texts found in Genesis - Ruth and the poetic and wisdom literature. Journey with Israel through the wilderness and experience its conquest and settlement in the land; listen to the poetry and song of Israel’s psalms and consider their place in the ancient world and sit with the sages of the Bible.
OT 512 Understanding the Kingdom of Israel and Its Prophets
(Available online), 3 SH
Explores how God involved himself in the life and politics of ancient Israel. What could God require of his people today and what is the hope offered in the Old Testament? This course surveys the history of Israel from the rise of the monarchy to the return from exile and the prophets during this time period. Includes 1 Samuel to Esther and Isaiah to Malachi.
NT 511 Understanding the Gospels and Acts
(Available online), 3 SH
This course provides an overview of the intertestamental period, including the religious and political backgrounds to the first-century A.D. world. It studies issues of introduction for the four Gospels and Acts, and using the English New Testament provides a harmonistic study of the life of Christ with a focus on his essential teachings, the theology of evangelism, and the planting of the church as recorded in Acts.
NT 512 Understanding the Epistles & Revelation
(Available online), 3 SH
This course provides an overview of the intertestamental period, including the religious and political backgrounds to the first-century A.D. world. It studies issues of introduction for the four Gospels and Acts, and, using the English New Testament, provides a harmonistic study of the life of Christ with a focus on his essential teachings, the theology of evangelism, and the planting of the church as recorded in Acts.
NT 611 Using Greek in NT Exegesis
3SH
Aims to develop increased proficiency in Greek grammar by building on the previous sequence in beginning Greek. The student translates selected portions of Romans with an emphasis upon the significance of understanding grammar as the necessary basis for adequate exegesis and for discerning the message of Romans. The various tasks of exegesis receive constant reinforcement. NT 579 can be used to substitute for this and NT 612.
NT 612 Greek Exegesis of James
3SH
Concentrates on the practice of all the exegetical methods acquired in prior courses through a thorough exegesis of the book of James. An understanding of the message of James and its relevance for contemporary life are major objectives. NT 579 can be used to substitute for this and NT 611.
NT 579 Using the Greek New Testament in Ministry
(In lieu of NT 611 and NT 612) 3SH
Contact DMin office for schedule and to register.
This intensive course introduces the essential elements of Greek grammar and exegesis to students who do not take the full sequences of courses in Greek language and exegesis. A hands-on course, it identifies and demonstrates use of the best tools, including computer-based resources, and is designed to meet the MDiv equivalence Greek requirement for admission to the Doctor of Ministry program. It will also benefit master’s-level students whose programs do not include Greek but who wish to enhance their own Bible study and biblical research. A particular objective of the course is to help students avoid common pitfalls and fallacies in the use of the Greek language. Most of the course work must be done in advance of the course. It is a one-week summer course. For those in all tracks except pastoral, this can replace NT 611 and NT 612. Pastoral track students must take this plus NT 690 to substitute for NT 611 and NT 612. Students must get DMin approval to register.
For Leadership in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry only:
NT 690: Practice in Biblical Exegesis
3SH
This course must be taken in addition to NT 579 by those entering the Leadership in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry track to substitute for NT 611 and NT 612. It is an external course taken where you live. Students will do exegesis on Scriptures relevant to their own ministry using the tools learned in NT 579. The Scriptures will be chosen from a list of Scriptures selected because of their current relevance.
For Marriage and Family Counseling Track Only:
Pastoral/Practical Theology, 4 SH
Counseling/Psychology, 4 SH
Online course options for elective hours:
CH 502 XD – Engaging Early and Medieval Church History
3 SH
Defines the early Christian movement in relation to the life of Jesus, Judaism and Greek thought. Christianity's thought and mission are then traced through the age of martyrs, the imperial age and the middle ages up to the eve of Protestant Reformation.
CH 503 XD – Engaging Reformation and Modern Church History
3 SH
Introduces the origin of Protestant Christianity in all its expressions and then traces it, along with Roman
Catholicism, through the centuries to the present.
EM 501 XD – Foundations of Teaching and Learning
3 SH
Introduces students to the educational ministry of the church, including history, educational psychology, and practical educational methodology, with a special emphasis on ministry to families with small children. Also included is a teaching practicum element.
