Divinity—MDIV (InMinistry Option)

The Master of Divinity program is recommended as the basic training for Adventist ministry by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the North American Division. It is a three-year professional program beginning in the summer or fall semester of each year.

The InMinistry MDiv option allows students to begin work on a Master of Divinity while remaining in ministry. This three-year pre-campus delivery emphasizes a cohort-based, thematic, and contextualized approach to learning and requires having a trained mentor. The InMinistry MDiv course load is delivered through two-week intensives at Andrews University, plus two Seminary Distance Learning Center courses per year. Students electing the InMinistry MDiv delivery can complete up to 32 semester credits prior to their arrival on campus.

Emphases

• Christian Ministry
• Church History
• New Testament
• Old Testament
• Theology and Christian Philosophy
• World Mission

Program length

• Track 1: This 92-credit program is for students with a bachelor’s degree in religion or theology; it can typically be completed in 2.5 years.
• Track 2: This 107-credit program is for students with a bachelor’s degree in an area other than religion or theology; it can typically be completed in 3 years.

Students who apply after the deadline will incur an additional late application fee.

Eligibility requirements

• Baccalaureate degree: A four-year degree from an accredited United States institution, or its equivalent from an institution outside the U.S.
• Undergraduate GPA: Minimum 2.60 (or 2.75 on the last half of undergraduate courses). The entire student profile is considered during the admissions process; students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements may also apply.
• English proficiency: Students whose language of education is not English must submit a minimum TOEFL or MELAB score of 80.
• Church membership: Typically hold membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
• Personal qualifications: Represent high moral integrity with a character, lifestyle,and spiritual commitment reflective of the beliefs and practices of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and show promise of usefulness for ministry through personal maturity and adequate experience in the Church. (Persons of other faiths who are willing to live in harmony with these standards are welcome to apply.)

Prerequisites

Students who enter the Master of Divinity program must fulfill the following prerequisites, all of which can be taken at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.

• Old Testament Introduction and Survey: two courses, 6 credits
• New Testament Introduction and Survey: two courses, 6 credits
• Bible Doctrines/Theology: two courses, 6 credits
• General Church History: two courses, 6 credits
• History of the SDA Church: one course, 2–3 credits
• Life and Ministry of Ellen G. White: one course, 2–3 credits
• General or Introduction to Psychology: one course, 2–3 credits
• Pastoral Ministries and Church Policy: one course, 2–3 credits
• Homiletics/Biblical Preaching: one course, 2–3 credits
• Personal Evangelism: one course, 2–3 credits
• Biblical Greek (intermediate level proficiency)
• Biblical Hebrew (intermediate level proficiency)

In addition to the above, courses in the following areas are strongly recommended:

• Sociology
• Christian ethics
• Missions
• Philosophy
• Apologetics

Admission requirements

• Official transcripts: From institutions where all post-secondary coursework was taken. Download Transcript Request PDF
• Recommendations: Three recommendations are required; include someone from a religion department, a church board, and a general recommendation. (Students without a current contact in their school’s religion department may submit two general recommendations.) You are asked to provide names and email addresses on the online application, and then recommenders will receive an email with a direct link to the form.
• Resume or professional history: Information about your employment, research, or special projects.
• Personal history: Submit an autobiographical history and statement of purpose reflecting your family and religious development, sense of calling to ministry, experience in church work, and future goals in relationship to the MDiv program. (If married, the spouse of the applicant is also asked to complete a statement in regard to her or his feelings and relationship to the partner's aspirations for future ministry.)
• Interview: Meet with a representative of the MDiv program if required, either by personal contact, telephone, or video.
• Personality questionnaire: Complete and return the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire as directed.

Next steps

You can read up on application requirements, finances and frequently asked questions; or submit your application.

Have questions? We have answers. Just email gradenroll@andrews.edu, call us at 269-471-6013, or Skype AndrewsGraduateSchool.

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