Note: The concentrations listed below apply to the master of divinity degree, single language track, in the traditional delivery system. They are modified for dual-language tracks.

Applied Area

Adult Development and Generativity

The concentration in Adult Development and Generativity is designed to incorporate the most recent spiritual and scientific findings about aging so that students will be equipped to become catalysts for effective ministry with and to persons in later life. Concentration courses include SP625, SP683DI, PC666DI, PC665, PC685; one SPF, one BTF, one CTL.

Children’s & Family Ministry

This concentration is currently available only in the InMinistry delivery format. Concentration courses include CF501 (in lieu of DC501), HS503 (in lieu of HS501), HS610 (in lieu of HS502), PC713 (in lieu of PC501), CF661 (in lieu of ML513), CF502, PC745, DC742, SP500, CF622, CF651, CF652, ML551,2,3, and four electives from the Center for Biblical and Theological Foundations.

Community Ministry

In this concentration, Bethel students prepare to work with populations commonly found in an urban ministry context. Any community group is considered a possible candidate for community ministry, but special attention is given to at-risk groups or groups with special needs. Concentration courses: GC603, GC661, GC662, GC663, GC702; one CTL, one BTF, one SPF.

Discipleship in Community

The Discipleship in Community concentration is provided for the student who plans to be involved with both the pastoral and educational ministries of the church. The aim of the concentration is to build skills and understanding in educational studies, integrating them with biblical, theological, and historical disciplines. A student’s particular ministry call and goals will influence course selection. Areas of focus include: general discipleship, family ministries, adult ministries, youth ministries, children’s ministries, women’s ministries, or teaching for transformation. (Electives: Five DC, one CTL, one BTF, one SPF.)

Family Ministry

The Family Ministry concentration helps students develop ministry approaches to entire families. While many graduates will serve in positions such as children’s ministry, youth ministry, or associate pastorates, they are equipped to offer programs and pastoral care that focus on nurturing families throughout their various life stages. Those interested in private counseling and licensure should pursue licensure in a Marriage and Family Therapy program. Concentration courses include: DC742, DC745, PC711; two of CF501, DC636, DC741; DC or PC elective; one BTF, one CTL.

Global and Contextual Studies

Urgent concerns for world evangelization focus the Global and Contextual Studies concentration on what is necessary to develop leaders for a multicultural partnership with churches around the world. A thorough biblical and theological foundation with emphasis on cross‑cultural studies is provided. The aim is developing prayerful support of missions in order to start and multiply churches to produce disciples who meet the needs of people in Christ’s name. Concentration courses include: GC610, GC611, GC650, GC660, GC672 or GC733; one CTL, one SPF, one BTF.

Marriage and Family Studies

The Marriage and Family Studies concentration allows students to learn the skills both to provide pastoral leadership and to understand family systems. It teaches students to teach, preach, and administer programs in ways that are sensitive to family issues, and to understand systemic dynamics of congregational life. Concentration courses include: MF501, MF502, MF551, MF552, MF561; one SP or PC; one BTF, one CTL.

Ministry Leadership

The Ministry Leadership concentration is designed for individuals anticipating service as pastors of local churches. Recognizing the diversity of roles demanded of the pastor, the concentration’s primary focus is on development of the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of an effective servant leader. Opportunity is also provided for work in spirituality, pastoral care, and preaching. (Electives: Five ML, one CTL, one BTF, one SPF.)

Pastoral Care

The concentration in Pastoral Care enables students to prepare for the counseling tasks common in ministry settings as well as for preventive educational efforts in the church. It uses the pastoral framework, but also aims at preparing laypeople to effectively reach out to hurting people. (Electives: TS753 or PC744, six PC, one BTF or CTL.)

Pastoral Counseling

The concentration in Pastoral Counseling prepares clergy and lay persons to provide competent, ethical counseling for education, prevention, and intervention and to know how, when, and to whom to refer individuals and families who are facing complex, challenging issues. Concentration courses include SP625, PC688, PC689DI, PC693DI, PC694; one PC, one BTF, one CTL.

Preaching and Communication

This concentration is focused on training communicators to transform the world. Students focusing in this area will be trained to live and communicate biblical truth in a variety of settings through classroom work and communication in live settings. Students will develop skills in sermon preparation and delivery, integration of biblical ­exegesis, and understanding the audience. The personal and spiritual development of the communicator will be a key focus of this concentration. Concentration courses include: CP720, CP742, CP744, CP762, CP763; one CTL, one SPF, one BTF.

Spiritual Formation

The concentration in Spiritual Formation invites students to explore the multidimensional, holistic nature of formation, to listen for next steps in their own formation journeys, and to serve as trustworthy spiritual companions in the faith journeys of others. Concentration courses include SP625, SP683DI, SP684DI, SP692, SP694, one SPF, one BTF, one CTL.

Youth Ministry

This concentration prepares students to lead ministries to young people in both church and parachurch settings. A theological foundation and philosophical understanding of ministry to youth and their families in light of current issues is developed. Specific competencies are attained through course work, an initial practicum, and a professional internship. The experiential component focuses on the integration of theology, theory, and practice. Concentration courses include: DC635, DC636, DC661, PC710 or PC726, DC745 or DC742, DC705; one SPF, one BTF.

Classical Area

Christian Thought

A concentration in Christian Thought serves students whose sense of leading points toward teaching, evangelism, discipleship, and apologetics within a pastoral context. In supplementing the broader ministry preparation provided by the master of divinity, this concentration gives students a systemic grasp of the Christian worldview. The program may appeal to those who approach church life with a passion for reaching people with the gospel and for strengthening believers by helping them know the reasons for faith. Students in this concentration will also have opportunities to study with outstanding visiting scholars in philosophy of religion. Students participate in internships with the department of supervised ministry. Those who sense a call to outreach or discipleship ministry using the concentration in Christian Thought may develop their internships with those ministries in view. Available in St. Paul only. (Electives: TS606, TS601, 602 or 603; one TS, three PH, one SPF, one CTL.)

Historical Studies

This concentration prepares students for ministry by selecting courses designed to describe Christian diversity. Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant experiences in Europe and America will enrich one’s understanding of Christendom. It will also inspire solidarity with a geographical and temporal world, which will foster a truly international mission. Electives: HS601, HS602, or HS603; four HS; one OT, NT, or TS; one CTL; one SPF.)

New Testament

This concentration seeks to assist those students who desire to preach and teach authoritatively from the Greek New Testament and/or seek to pursue further graduate training in this area. It does so by building upon the basic beginning Greek with which a student enters the concentration and the four required Greek New Testament courses in the core curriculum. (Electives: four NT; two OT, TS, or HS; one CTL; one SPF.)

Old Testament

Students will strengthen their ministry preparation by learning the essentials of the Hebrew language, develop exegetical skills in interpreting the Hebrew Bible, and gain a deeper appreciation for the theological messages of the Old Testament. (Electives: four OT; two TS, HS, or NT; one CTL; one SPF.)

Theological Studies

The student will be helped to develop expertise in responding to the critical theological, ethical, and apologetic issues faced today. This concentration will benefit men and women in a variety of ministries including church, parachurch, higher education, writing, and chaplaincy. This program will enhance understanding of theological issues and the skills of theological analysis and synthesis. (Electives: HS601, 602, or 603; four TS; one HS, OT, or NT; one CTL; one SPF.)

Combined Areas

Biblical Exposition

This concentration is designed for those who anticipate a pulpit ministry focused on biblical expositional preaching. Hebrew and/or Greek language study is required. By selecting courses from both the classical and applied areas, the student is helped to integrate language study with a proclamation ministry.

Generalist Area

Students who anticipate placement requiring competence in several disciplines or where specialization is not necessary may wish to choose the Generalist concentration as a way of strengthening their ministry skills. Courses are chosen from the various departments on the basis of the student’s particular interest and vocational goals. Students are required to take a minimum of one advanced course in each department of the Generalist concentration area.