Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
The Master of Divinity is the first professional, theological degree for persons who expect to engage in some form of ordained ministry. The course work consists of 66 units (the approximate equivalent of 96 semester hours of credit) and requires at least three years of study. Most courses in the curriculum are 2-unit courses that meet for 2 3/4 hours once a week for a 14-week semester (equivalent to a 3 semester-hour course).
Curriculum and Schedule
Work schedules, attempts to keep down commuting time and costs, and various other factors may prevent a student from taking the core courses in the recommended order. However, there is a strong rationale for the following sequence, and students are urged to take these courses as close to that order as possible. By doing so, students may avoid scheduling problems as they approach the end of a degree program.
Core Curriculum
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Term
B 500 Old Testament Pentateuch
B 501 New Testament Study
CTM 500 Church History I
INT 501 Spiritual Formation I
INT 510 Assessment I
INT 515 A Guide to Seminary Writing
Spring Term
B 503 Old Testament Historical Books
CTM 505 Theological Foundations for Ministry
CTM 503 Church History II
CM 502 Introduction to Pastoral Care
MIDDLE YEAR
Fall Term
B 504 Biblical Interpretation
CTM 501 Systematic Theology I
CM 504 Introduction to Preaching
CM 507 Theological Field Education
Spring Term
B 505/6 OT or NT Theology
CTM 502 Systematic Theology II
CM 505 Pastoral Ministry
CM 508 Theological Field Education
CM 506 Preaching Practicum
INT 512 Assessment II
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Term
CM 514 Church Renewal & Evangelism
CTM 504 Christian World Mission
CM 509 Theological Field Education
INT 500 Integrative Seminar
Spring Term
CM 515 Theology & Practice of Worship
CM 510 Theological Field Education
INT 500 Integrative Seminar (if not taken in Fall semester)
Other Core Requirements*
B 502 NT Greek
CM 513 Clinical Pastoral Care OR
CM 635 Clinical Pastoral Education
*These courses are offered either in a concentrated 4-week January or Summer term or during a regular semester.
Required Area Electives
Two units of coursework receiving a final letter grade are required in each of the following areas:
- Bible (in either New or Old Testament)
- Theology
- Christian Ethics
- Preaching
- Christian Education
- Urban Ministry
Courses satisfying these required area electives are offered either in the regular semester or in a concentrated 'intensive' format during the January and Summer terms.
Denominationally Specific Requirements (not necessarily required by Palmer for the M.Div. degree, but may be required by student's particular denomination; the student should consult his or her denominational body to determine its specific requirements):
- Baptist History OR Baptist Emphases and Polity
- Methodist History AND Methodist Doctrine & Polity
- Presbyterian Polity and Sacraments
- Theology in the Reformed Tradition
- African Methodist Episcopal Polity
Note that the above required coursework does not add up to 66 units, and that M.Div. students will need to earn additional units of pure or 'free' elective coursework in order to satisfy the number of units required for the M.Div. degree.
If you would like to learn more about the Master of Divinity program, send your name, postal address, phone number and which program(s) you are interested in to semadmis@eastern.edu.
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