Program Details
The Master of Divinity program is designed to prepare students for professional ministry in a number of settings. The degree satisfies the prerequisite of the Doctor of Ministry degree and is the commonly recommended theological degree in preparation for other advanced degrees in biblical and theological disciplines.
Program Options
Students earning their M.Div. degree at Bethel Seminary St. Paul can choose to enroll through our residential program (daytime or evening) or our distance-learning program.
Residential Program
The residential program provides students with 2 different schedule options:
- Daytime: In the daytime residential program, students take courses through a traditional model—attending class during the day and registering for a variety courses each term over a 3-year period.
- Evening: Our evening residential program, called SemPM, is geared for students with busy daytime schedules. Students take 2 courses each term on Monday evenings over an initial 3-year period, with 20 hours of directed independent study between each class. For the last 2 years of the 5-year program, students meet for class on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Distance-Learning Program
The goal of the InMinistry Distance Learning program is to provide high quality, graduate education, without requiring you to relocate or put your ministry on hold. We use a hybrid model, spanning 5 years, where students experience both traditional classroom interaction and online learning.
Sample Courses
Students take a range of foundational courses, forming a solid biblical framework and building leadership skills. Elective courses allow students pursue specific interests and develop skills that directly relate to their desired ministry setting.
Sample courses include:
- Introduction to Preaching
- Discipleship in Community
- Introduction to Global and Contextual Ministry
- Transformational Leadership
- The Gospels
- Introduction to Pastoral Care
- Acts and Pauline Letters
- Christian Social Ethics
- Culture and Ministry
- Genesis – Ruth
- Early Church to Reformation
Concentrations
Students can choose to specialize their studies depending on their interests and program delivery method.
Residential Program Options
- Biblical Exposition
- Christian Thought
- Community Ministry
- Community Ministry Leadership (Evening only)
- Discipleship in Community
- Family Ministry
- Generalist
- Global and Contextual Studies
- Historical Studies
- Marriage and Family Studies
- Ministry Leadership
- New Testament
- Old Testament
- Pastoral Care and Counseling
- Preaching and Communication
- Small Town and Rural Ministry
- Spiritual Formation
- Theological Studies
- Youth Ministry
InMinistry Distance Learning Options
Students who pursue the generalist M.Div. can choose from 3 centers of emphasis:
- Transformational Leadership
- Biblical and Theological Studies
- Spiritual and Personal Formation
Some students start in an M.A. program to earn a specific concentration and then move into the M.Div. for the remainder of their course work. These concentrations include:
- Transformational Leadership
- Christian Thought
- Children’s and Family Ministry
Licensure and Ordination
Licensure and ordination are both the purview of the church and/or denomination.
