Bethel Seminary
Degree Programs — Seminary of the East
The Curriculum
Bethel Seminary of the East offers courses leading to
- the Master of Divinity degree,
- the Master of Arts (Theological Studies), and
- the Certificate in Theological Studies.
These programs provide preparation for Christian service in the United States and overseas. The curriculum is designed to help students become better trained in the areas of “thinking, being, and doing” in Christian theology and ministry.
The Master of Divinity Program
The purpose of the Master of Divinity program is to prepare men and women for Christian ministries, including the pastorate, youth ministries, missions, and other ministries within a church or parachurch context. The seminary offers the Master of Divinity degree upon satisfactory completion of the degree requirements as published in the catalog in effect at the time of the student’s enrollment. The completion of 144 quarter hours is required for the granting of the Master of Divinity degree.
Subsequent changes in graduation requirements as published in the catalog or as amended by the seminary faculty may be substituted. Students taking more than six years to complete their studies must meet the requirements for graduation as published in the catalog in effect no more than four years prior to the date of their graduation.
Master of Divinity
Guided Learning Experiences
In selected pastoral theology and communication courses, students are required to complete a guided learning experience as part of the course. Each student’s guided learning experience is the basis for the synthesis between learning and practice. Under the supervision of their course professors and their local ministry mentors, students identify learning needs and outcomes and appropriate learning tasks related to the acquisition and improvement of ministerial skills. The guided learning experiences are the equivalent of ministry practicums.
Spiritual Formation
Students earn 16 credit hours in spiritual formation. During the first three years, students participate in the spiritual formation track associated with their particular year of study, exploring issues related to spirituality, call to ministry, and ministry preparedness.
As part of their work in spiritual formation, students are required to participate in discipleship groups that meet for one class period during the class day. The purpose of these small groups, facilitated by faculty members, is to provide instruction in the theology of the spiritual life and to create an environment of support and accountability that will foster spiritual growth. Mentors in the ministry context are key to spiritual and character formation since they observe and guide students in the context of ministry in a local church or parachurch setting. In addition, students enroll in one spiritual formation course as part of their program electives.
Master of Arts (Theological Studies) Program
The Master of Arts (Theological Studies) is intended for persons who seek to integrate their faith and learning as committed and informed Christians and to relate their theological studies to their vocations and interests. This degree is intended to prepare:
- persons who are serving as youth or associate pastors;
- persons preparing for service in world missions when their main focus is in an area such as medicine, education, agriculture, or mechanics;
- persons planning to teach religion in an academic or other graduate setting;
- persons choosing to serve in parachurch organizations and Christian social agencies;
- laypersons who desire to equip themselves for more effective witness in and through their local church;
- persons pursuing further graduate work.
A student must declare a concentration in one of two areas: biblical and theological studies, or leadership effectiveness. The degree will be awarded upon the completion of 96 credits.
Master of Arts (Theological Studies) |
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| Required Courses: | |||
| BT501 | Hermeneutics | 4 | |
| DC501 | Discipleship in Community | 4 | |
| GC501 | Introduction to Global & Contextual Ministries | 4 | |
| GC515 | Evangelism and Church Growth | 4 | |
| HS501 | Early Church to Reformation | 4 | |
| HS502 | Church in the Modern World | 4 | |
| NT511 | The Gospels | 4 | |
| NT512 | Emergence of the Christian Community | 4 | |
| OT501 | Genesis-Ruth | 4 | |
| OT502 | I Samuel-Song of Songs | 4 | |
| OT503 | Isaiah - Malachi | 4 | |
| SP511 | Spiritual Formation I | 4 | |
| SP551 | Spiritual Formation II | 4 | |
| TL501 | Culture & Ministry | 4 | |
| TS505 | Christian Social Ethics | 4 | |
Systematic Theology |
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| TS507 Foundation TS508 Christ TS509 Holy Sprit/Salvation TS510 Church/Eschatoloy |
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| Concentration Courses, (5) and Electives (1) | 24 | ||
| Other requirements: Senior Capstone Experience | 0 | ||
| Concentration in Leadership Effectiveness: Students will select five Leadership concentration courses (ML513 + 4 600-level concentration courses) | |||
Concentration in Biblical/Theological Studies: Students will select five Bible/Theology concentration courses. |
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Certificate in Theological Studies
The Certificate in Theological Studies at Bethel Seminary of the East is offered for those individuals who want more depth and background in biblical studies and theology to enhance their current ministries and occupations; for those individuals needing biblical and theological studies for missions and parachurch organizations; or for individuals seeking direction regarding their future vocations who want a limited course of study to guide them in making a decision about vocational Christian ministry. The 48-credit certificate requires the following courses comprising 20 credits:
| SP511 | Spiritual Formation I | 4 | |
| BT501 | Hermeneutics | 4 | |
| TL501 | Culture and Ministry | 4 | |
| ML513 | Transformational Leadership | 4 | |
| Systematic Theology Students will select 1 Systematic Theology course: |
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| TS507 Foundation TS508 Christ TL509 HolySpirit/Salvation TS510 Church/Eschatology |
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Students obtain the remaining 28 credits in the certificate program by electing to take other courses in the seminary’s curriculum, bringing the total to 48 credits required for the awarding of the Certificate in Theological Studies.
Prerequisites and Requirements for Course Work
- First-year students are required to attend an orientation workshop
at the beginning of the first term of study as a prerequisite for
registering for future courses with guided learning experiences.
Students will be oriented to Bethel Seminary of the East and receive
training on the construction of a learning contract in preparation
for courses with attached guided learning experiences. Students will
also receive instruction on selecting mentors.
- Students enrolled in the Master of Divinity program must complete
NT108 (Greek Language I) and NT109 (Greek Language II), or pass the
qualifying exams, in order to register for NT110SE (Using the New
Testament in Greek Exegesis). NT108 and NT109 are recommended prerequisites
for NT111SE (The Gospels) and NT112SE (Acts and Letters).
- Prerequisites for courses are noted in the course descriptions.
The Bethel Seminary Catalog is provided online as a convenience for those who desire course information in electronic form. The printed version of the Bethel Seminary catalog is the official version, and it will be treated as the document of record in all seminary business.