Master of Divinity (MDiv)

The seventy-nine-credit hour MDiv degree (plus eleven credit hours of field education) is designed primarily to equip parish pastors, but also those seeking service credit hours in specialized ministries such as teaching, counseling, and various kinds of chaplaincy. The MDiv may lead to Ordination to Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes for the Master of Divinity include the following:

  • Interpret Scripture with historical and theological integrity for diverse churches, communities, and contexts.
  • Interpret the Christian historical and theological tradition for appropriation in the life and mission of the Church.
  • Demonstrate a theology and practice of worship that integrates word and sacrament, and attends to its historical and cultural expressions.
  • Embody a ministerial identity committed to caring for the spiritual formation of the self, individuals, and communities.
  • Demonstrate vision and growing capacity to excel in leadership for God’s mission.
  • Communicates the whole gospel of Jesus Christ in contextually appropriate and effective ways.
  • Engage diversity and exhibit growth towards inter-cultural competence for ministry reflective of God’s global redemptive work.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Divinity degree is awarded to students who:

  1. Complete all Vocational and Spiritual Formation for Leadership evaluations and receive approval by faculty vote.
  2. Complete the required 79 semester hours of academic course work, plus 11 field education credit hours.
  3. Maintain a grade point average of 2.5. No grade under C- shall be counted toward the degree.
  4. Exemplify a quality of life and commitment suitable for ministry.
  5. Rectify all incomplete grades no later than week seven of the semester in which they plan to graduate.
  6. Fulfill all financial obligations to the Seminary.
  7. Complete the degree program within seven (7) years from the time of matriculation.

Biblical Languages

Six semester hours of New Testament Greek (1 and 2) are required for MDiv programs in addition to a three-semester hour Greek exegesis course. Though not required, Hebrew 1 and 2 are highly recommended as elective options.

Before enrolling in Greek Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching, anyone who has not had a passing grade in two terms of New Testament Greek language within one year must pass a proficiency exam.

Bible | 24 Credit Hours

BIBL 5109Greek 1

3

BIBL 5110Greek 2

3

BIBL 5111Greek Exegesis for Preaching & Teaching

3

BIBL 5210Old Testament 1: Pentateuch & Interpretation

3

BIBL 5220Old Testament 2: Prophets & Preaching Legacy

3

BIBL 5230Old Testament 3: Wisdom & Israels Praise

3

BIBL 5240New Testament 1: The Texts & Their World

3

BIBL 5250New Testament 2: The Texts & Their Theology

3

History | 9 Credit Hours

HSTY 5210Christian History 1: the Early Church to the Early Reformation (1-16c)

3

HSTY 5220Christian History 2: Global Christianity (17-21c)

3

HSTY 5230Christian History 3: North American Christianity

3

Theology | 12 Credit Hours

THEO 5110Christian Theology

3

THEO 5120Christian Worship

3

THEO 5130Christian Ethics

3

THEO 5140Advanced Seminar in Theology

3

Spiritual Formation | 4 Credit Hours

SPFM 5201Journey: The Story of Our Lives

1

SPFM 5211Intercultural Spirituality: Praying Together

1

SPFM
Spiritual Formation Elective

SPFM
Spiritual Formation Elective

Ministry | 15 Credit Hours

MNST 5110Religions and Cultures

3

MNST 5115Preaching the Word

3

MNST 5120Gospel Communication in Context

3

MNST 5125Introduction to Pastoral Care & Counseling

3

MNST 5130Leading & Teaching in Ministry

3

Cultural Diversity Elective | 3 Credit Hours

Student selects one course from the following:

BIBL 6290Intercultural Readings of the Bible

3

MNST 6125Issues of Christian Faith in the Americas

3

MNST 6130The Gospel in Asian Context

3

MNST 6135Experiencing African Christianity

3

MNST 6140Experiencing Global Christianity

3

MNST 6151Cultural Dimensions of Mission

3

MNST 6152Rethinking Mission: Lessons From Christian Art History & Practice

3

MNST 6352Journey to Mosaic

3

MNST 6401Sankofa: Racial Righteousness & Reconciliation

3

On occasion, a 7190 Topics course which is not offered on a regular basis will fulfill an area requirement.

Denominational Elective | 3 Credit Hours

Students seeking ECC ordination are encouraged to take HSTY 6300 History and Theology of the Covenant Church (3 credit hours). Students from a denomination other than the Evangelical Covenant Church may take a course in their home denomination’s history, theology, and polity. Such courses may be taken through cross-registration at another school in the Association of Chicago Theological Schools, or as an independent study with North Park faculty. Students not seeking ordination in any denomination may substitute any class by petition.

General Elective | 9 Credit Hours

Total Credit Hours for the Degree | 79 Credit Hours

Students are required to take 27 credit hours in residence at the main campus. Students are recommended for graduation when all requirements are fulfilled for the degree.

Field Education

Field education may be completed prior to, during, or post course completion for the MDiv degree. The experiences designated as field education will be awarded eleven (11) credit hours in addition to the ninety-two (92) credit hours required for the MDiv degree.

FLDC 5300Vocational Excellence

1

FLDC 7310Internship Residency

1-8

FLDC 7315Intercultural Development Module

1

FLDC 7316Clinical Pastoral Education

0

FLDC 7318Theological Reflection Module

1