Master of Divinity

Increase your knowledge of Christianity, bringing that knowledge to your families, careers, and individual lives

NationsUniversity’s Master of Divinity program seeks to train Christian leaders in the areas of applied Christian living and ministry. The University’s Master of Divinity program is an 84-credit hour program designed as a first professional degree in ministry. Therefore, NationsUniversity M.Div. graduates are best prepared for the professional practice of ministry but are equally prepared for to continue their studies in pursuit of an advanced professional degree, e.g., Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) or Doctor of Educational Ministry (D.Ed.Min.).

Admission to the Master of Divinity

1. Submission of an official transcript that indicates completion of a bachelor’s degree (minimum 120 credits with appropriate general education courses) or higher degree from an accredited or nationally approved institution.*
2. Completion of 15 credits of Foundations courses (MRS 622, M 1, M 2, M 3, and M 4) or the G.C.B.S. with a 3.00 grade point average.
3. Submission of all required activities, papers, and forum postings associated with the Foundation courses.
4. Pass two (2) qualifying examinations.
5. Having no financial obligations to the University.
6. Submission of a TOEFL score of 530 or above or acceptable substitute (80 iBT, 6.5 IELPS, 58 PTE score) by students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is not in English.

*In the event a student cannot, for reasons beyond his/her control, submit official documentation of having completed the bachelor’s degree, he/she may appeal to the Registrar and state the reasons. The Registrar and Chancellor will review the appeal and make a judgment as to how the requirement may be satisfied.

Students are eligible to apply directly to the M.Div. if they hold a bachelor’s degree with a major in any discipline, provided the institution is accredited by an appropriate commission or agency and the degree represents a minimum 120 semester credits with 30 credits in General Education and a Grade Point Average of 3.00 or above.  Applicants holding an accredited graduate degree are exempt from this stipulation.

Those who do not hold the B.R.S. from NU may register and begin work immediately with MRS 622. However, formal admission into the M.Div. program will come after a review of the of the applicant’s official credentials, the completion of 15 credits (MRS 622, M 1, M 2, M 3, and M 4) with a 3.00 G.P.A. or higher, and satisfactory scores on two qualifying examinations.  Once admission is gained, the above-mentioned credits will apply toward the M.Div. degree. Once formal admission is granted, the student is assigned to the M.Div. curriculum. Courses which have been completed will count toward the degree.

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Program Learning Outcomes

The outcomes of the M.Div. program are to prepare graduates to,

1. Demonstrate mastery of the advanced skills necessary for instructing and developing faith in themselves and others.
2. Apply current, research-based models of ministry with a recognition of the church’s presence in diverse settings.
3. Have explored major historical developments of the Christian church, including both doctrines and practices.
4. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the spiritual and personal traits necessary for ministry.

Specific Learning Objectives

The Program Learning Outcomes above are achieved by focusing on important learning objectives that are taught and reinforced throughout the various courses. Many of these objectives are addressed in the M.T.S. program but are reinforced and further developed in the M.Div. program. Students completing an M.Div. degree will

1. Develop a personal spiritual worldview.
2. Appraise opposing arguments regarding the existence and implications of spirituality.
3. Defend the rationality of seeking a mature spiritual life.
4. Evaluate life circumstances by applying principles of spirituality.
5. Effectively prepare and communicate messages of faith.
6. Distinguish cultural settings from biblical doctrine.
7. Explain the role of literary genre in interpreting the Bible.
8. Propose and evaluate modern applications of Scripture based on critical analysis of texts.
9. Analyze texts by applying rules of exegesis and contrasting points of view.
10. Evaluate the philosophical assumptions underlying interpretive variations in major biblical texts.
11. Summarize the history, philosophies, and doctrines of major world religions.
12. Compare and contrast the major tenets of two world religions to those of Christianity.
13. Demonstrate competency in developing and evaluating interpersonal relationships.
14. Commit to personal spiritual formation and development.
15. Assess moral and ethical issues using a distinctly Christian worldview.

NationsUniversity is a year-round university and does not have “semesters” or “quarters.” Your “academic year” begins the date you register.

Time Allowance & Financial Costs

The M.Div. program includes spirituality, biblical content, meaning, exegesis, and ministerial activity. The projected completion time is forty-eight months of full-time, uninterrupted study. The cost for students who reside in the 35 developed countries listed under Financial Information is a one-time $25 registration fee and a tuition charge of $450 per quarter. Tuition and fees are guaranteed for only two (2) years. Allowing for a modest increase in tuition, students residing in one of the 35 developed nations may expect to pay $8,125 if they present no transfer credit and complete the M.Div. within 48 months or $13,750 if they extend their studies over 72 months. Textbooks and other resources are available online in an electronic format without cost to the student. Any purchase of hard-copy books is totally optional.

Required Courses

The 84-semester credits required for the M.Div. must be distributed in the following manner:

A final comprehensive exam is required at this point. You will schedule this with the assistance of your advisor.

The final Grade Point Average must be a minimum of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale on the credits used for the degree. If a student reaches the end of the curriculum with less than a 3.00 G.P.A., he/she may take additional courses to substitute for courses with a “C” grade.

Read the Academic Catalog & Student Handbook for additional requirements and information on the Master of Divinity program.

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Transfer Credits

Students who enter the M.Div. with graduate credit and/or graduate degrees in religious or related studies from an accredited institution may transfer up to 30-semester credits toward the M.Div.  Students who have completed other graduate degrees at NU are accorded the same privilege.

NationsUniversity cannot guarantee that NationsUniversity credits will be accepted for transfer by other institutions. The final judgment in accepting NationsUniversity credits is the sole responsibility of the receiving institution.