Master of Divinity (M.Div)

A. PURPOSE AND NATURE

Programs granting the Master of Divinity degree are designed primarily to qualify graduate to function as principal leaders or ministers. As a graduate level program it requires the student to develop and demonstrate critical thinking and dialogic skills including the ability to identify and critique theological and moral discourse, the ability to frame cogent arguments, the ability to test ideas for biblical fidelity and contextual appropriateness and the ability to communicate ideas effectively in oral or written dialogue.

B. ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS FOR MASTER OF DIVINITY (M. DIV.) STUDY

• Successful completion of a Bachelor degree or equivalent. Those who have appeared for the Final BA/BSc/BCom degree examination and are awaiting their results may be admitted provisionally until the end of the first term/semester.
  
• In special cases, older mature candidates (25 and above) who may not have completed the schooling may be admitted upon successful completion of the qualifying assessment.

Those who cannot produce their pass certificate should not be admitted. An ATA-accredited Bachelor of Theology degree is an equivalent to a University graduate degree. However, advanced credit – up to 10 subjects - towards the Master of Divinity degree can be granted only to those who have secured a B grade average or above in their B.Th. degree programme.

Equivalency: Applicants who have successfully completed an un-recognized B.Th. degree programme will need to appear and successfully pass a qualifying examination consisting of three papers set at the Final year B.Th. degree in Biblical Studies, Theology and Christian Ministry. However, no applicant with an unrecognised theological degree is to be given any advanced credit towards the M.Div. degree.

Mature candidates who do not have meet the required entrance qualification, but are at least 30 years of age may be admitted into the programme on the basis of a Qualifying exam set at the Bachelor degree level [at least three subjects]. [Extract from ATA Accreditation Manual, page 21]

C.GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR M. DIV. DEGREE

• M. Div. course may be completed within two years for a theological bachelor degree holders with a GPA of B or above by completion of minimum 60 credit units/hours ( = 20 subjects), and it may be completed within three years for non-theological bachelor degree holders by completion of minimum 90 credit units/hours ( = 30 subjects).
  
• An assessment of ministry involvement that meets set requirements.
  
• An assessment of character and spiritual development that meets set requirements/standards.

D.AREAS OF STUDY

• Bible, Exegesis and Languages
  
• Church History
  
• Theology/Ethics
  
• Practical Theology: Ministry related courses, Pastoralia, Missions,
  
• Christian Education
  
• Religions, Culture
  
• A required thesis or field project is recommended.