The Master of Divinity program is recommended for students seeking a comprehensive preparation for Christian ministry. In three academic years of study the student is exposed to the complete range of theological disciplines which include biblical, theological, church history and church ministry studies. Persons in leadership roles which assume broad knowledge of the church's faith, tradition and life should consider this program. In the Mennonite tradition this would include ministers (pastors) whose role covers a major part of leadership responsibilities (preaching, teaching, counseling, administration) in the congregation or whose role involves responsibility for coordination and/or supervision of a congregational leadership team. In some denominations the Master of Divinity is required for ordination to the Christian ministry.

To qualify for the degree the student must complete 93 semester hours. A transferring student shall normally complete the last 30 hours of studies in residence. Seventy-two to seventy-six hours of required courses are designated. The student may use the 17-21 remaining semester hours to designate a concentration or use them as open electives. Students will receive resourcing in writing and research skills early in their seminary studies, during the Christian Tradition I course.

In keeping with the persuasion that the expositor of God's Word should be familiar with the original languages of Scripture, the Primary Track of this curriculum emphasizes an acquaintance with Koine Greek and Biblical Hebrew. Elementary Greek and Elementary Hebrew are required of all students in this track. Five additional hours are required in one of the languages. It is assumed that some students will elect additional language courses in order to build exegetical proficiency in both languages.

The seminary recognizes that not all students will benefit equally from biblical language study and so offers an Alternate Track within the M.Div. program. The Alternate Track will replace the language requirements mentioned above with the course Basics of Biblical Language, and three biblical book studies, including an Old Testament and a New Testament book study. The biblical book studies throughout the curriculum build on the language knowledge acquired in either the Basics course or the elementary language courses in the Primary Track, encouraging students in the use of language tools and resources. The distinctive feature of the M.Div. program is the formation sequence. Each semester of residency, up to a maximum of six, the student shall be enrolled in a course in the sequence. The sequence is a supervised, peer-group learning setting with emphasis on intellectual and spiritual growth and accountability. The three years focus consecutively on personhood, ministry and discipleship.

The requirement in supervised field education may be fulfilled in several different ways. Normally students will fulfill this requirement by taking Formation in Ministry I and II. A student who has had significant congregational ministry (5 years pastoral experience) may petition to substitute Clinical Pastoral Education in place of Formation in Ministry. Ministry internships are also available for those desiring more practical ministry experience. (See Supervised Ministry Requirements)

A cross-cultural immersion experience is required in the M. Div. program. A minimum of three semester hours of credit must be earned if the student cannot present the equivalent in cross-cultural ministry experience or in undergraduate cross-cultural credit.

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Course Outline

Junior Year

Formation in Personhood I (1SH)	Formation in Personhood II (1 SH)
Old Testament: Text in Context (3 SH)	New Testament: Text in Context (3 SH)
Christian Tradition I (4 SH)	Christian Tradition II (3 SH)
Biblical Language Course (3 SH)	Biblical Language/Studies (2-3 SH)
The Teaching Church (3 SH)	The Church in Mission (3 SH) *
Electives (1 SH)	Electives (2-3 SH)
Total: 15 SH	Total: 15 SH
Middler Year
Formation in Ministry I (3 SH)	Formation in Ministry II (3 SH)
Biblical Language/Studies (3 SH)	Foundations for Christian Preaching (3 SH)
Systematic Theology I (3 SH)	Systematic Theology II (3 SH)
Pastoral Care (3 SH)	Practice of Christian Worship (3 SH)*
Interpreting the Biblical Text (3 SH)	Anabaptist-Mennonite Studies (3 SH)**
Total: 15 SH	Total: 15 SH
Senior Year
Formation in Discipleship I (1 SH)	Formation in Discipleship II (1 SH)
Leadership and Administration (3 SH)	Christian Ethics (3 SH)
Social Context of Theology (3 SH) *	Denominational Studies (2 SH)
Electives (7 SH)	Electives (7 SH)
Total 14 SH	Total 13 SH

May Term or Summer Studies:

• Biblical Language/Studies Course (3 SH)
• Cross-Cultural Experience 3 (required if not already fulfilled)

Required and elective courses are offered every May/June terms and during the summer making it possible for students to take lighter loads during the regular semester.