Master of Divinity
The Master of Divinity is a professional degree that is intended to train Christian leaders that are inclined for applied Christian living and ministry.
The Master of Divinity is a professional degree that is intended to train Christian leaders that are inclined for applied Christian living and ministry.
NationsUniversity’s Master of Divinity program seeks to train Christian leaders in applied Christian living and ministry. The 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 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.).
Learning is centered on an in-depth study of the Bible. Deepen your understanding of biblical and practical theology through systematic analysis of Scripture within its social, historical, and literary contexts. Learn from professors who are experienced in ministry and discipling others. This degree refines your ability to develop Christian faith in others while strengthening your personal spiritual formation.
*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 who do not hold the B.R.S. from NationsUniversity may begin work with MRS 622 immediately after their application is accepted. However, official admission is not granted until all requirements above have been met. Students holding the NationsUniversity B.R.S. should consult with their advisor before beginning any courses.
Students who complete the Master of Theological Studies at NationsUniversity with a 3.0 or higher GPA will have met the academic requirements above. Applicants who do not hold an accredited or nationally approved undergraduate or graduate degree in the identified disciplines may apply to the M.T.S. program to meet these requirements. Thirty (30) credits earned as part of the 36-credit M.T.S. program may be applied to the M.Div. program. Upon completion of the M.T.S., students interested in the M.Div. must notify their advisor. The student’s academic record will be reviewed before formal admission to the M.Div. program is approved and the student enrolls in courses.
Upon formal admission into the M.Div. program, students will be asked to provide a letter of cooperation from a local congregation or ministry. Students must have a local supervisor and a local cooperating congregation in order to enroll in Supervised Ministry Experiences (SMEs) and Final Project courses. The letter(s) must be received by the student’s advisor before the completion of four courses (12 credits) in the M.Div. program.
Program Learning Outcomes
The outcomes of the M.Div. program are to prepare graduates to,
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
NationsUniversity is a year-round university and does not have “semesters” or “quarters.” Your “academic year” begins the date you register.
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.
Students normally complete degree requirements in effect when they are officially admitted, unless completion comes after seven years from initial admission. Course requirements may be adjusted at any time. The requirements are displayed in the curriculum assigned to their username and in older editions of the NU Catalog. These students may opt to complete their degree under the current requirements upon request.
The 84-semester credits required for the M.Div. must be distributed in the following manner:
| ONOS | Orientation to NationsUniversity Online Study (non-credit) |
| MRS 622E | Encountering Biblical Spirituality |
| M 1 | Critical Introduction to the Old Testament |
| M 2 | Critical Introduction to the New Testament |
| M 3 | Biblical Theology |
| M 4 | Biblical Hermeneutics |
| M 11 | Critical Analysis in Biblical Studies |
| M 17 | Research and Writing |
| M 633 | Being Christian in a Secular Environment |
| M 12 | Ministry (S.M.E.) |
| M 13 | Worship (S.M.E.) |
| Choose two | |
| M 15 | Communicating the Gospel |
| M 16 | Family Counsel |
| M 20 | Introduction to Pastoral Care |
| M 606 | Missions |
| MRS 100s | Biblical Backgrounds |
| MRS 200s | Hebrew Scriptures |
| MRS 300s | Greek Scriptures |
| MRS 400s | Church History |
| MRS 500s | Theology |
| MRS 700s | Comparative Religions |
A final comprehensive exam is required at this point. You will schedule this with the assistance of your advisor.
| MFI 5 | Church and Society |
| M 14 | M.Div. Service Project (S.M.E.) |
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.
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, meaning that 30 credits from the NationsU M.T.S. degree may transfer into the M.Div.
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.
Within the past year and a half, I have spearheaded efforts that encourage and support people with disablities to explore areas of faith and spiritual development. I am able to take the lead at the agency on these issues due to my education through NationsUniversity.
NationsUniversity does not offer ACPE-accredited courses in professional chaplaincy or award CPE units. However, students obtaining an M.Div. from NationsUniversity may apply to an ACPE-accredited Chaplaincy training program. For more information on Chaplaincy certification, to find ACPE-accredited programs, or to inquire about CPE equivalency, you may contact the Board of Chaplaincy Certification, Inc. https://bcci.professionalchaplains.org.
Those students interested in military chaplaincy with Christian Churches, Churches of Christ, and Restoration Movement churches must take MRS 491 Independent Study in the Stone-Campbell Movement. Completion of this course and the M.Div. program does not guarantee endorsement but will provide the necessary coursework to apply for endorsement. The final decision to endorse a candidate is completely within the purview of the Chaplaincy Endorsement Commission (www.cec-chap.org).
Fairfax (Virginia) Church of Christ (www.fxcc.org)
Chaplain Endorsement is explained via a tab on their home page.
Siburt Institute for Church Ministry (www.siburtinstitute.org)
Providing endorsement for candidates seeking professional chaplaincy certification through the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC). Note: The Chairman of the endorsement committee is Dr. Paul Riddle of Lifeline Chaplaincy in Houston.
Chaplaincy Endorsement Commission, (www.cec-chap.org)
An agency of the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ provides endorsement and pastoral care of chaplains and counselors in ministry who serve in a variety of using agencies such as the military, hospitals, prisons, and corporations.
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