Olivet Theological College and Seminary

Menu

ACADEMICS

Menu

Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity is Olivet Theological College & Seminary’s flagship four-year program designed to prepare future ministers for real-world church planting and specialized ministry in twenty-first-century Christian missions. This program provides students with core biblical and theological instruction, leadership training, as well as a range of the skills necessary to perform ministerial duties in church and various ministries in a global context.

Being the entrance qualification for ordained pastoral ministry, the Master of Divinity degree seeks to prepare and equip its students for a fruitful life in ministry. Distinguishing it from other programs Olivet’s M.Div. program has created a format to integrate theological, biblical and, mission-critical practical work experiences. In order to train the future pastors and ministers in face of the dynamic world with specific ministry internship experience, Olivet’s M. Div. students can also choose their concentrations.

The program’s emphasis is providing students the opportunity to study at more than one Olivet University location. Students interested in taking the Master of Divinity program online can do so at eCampus.

PROGRAM GOALS

In the context of Olivet’s mission, completion of the Master of Divinty program will enable students to:

  • Grow in likeness to Christ.
  • Develop biblically and theologically sound expository sermons within a historical context.
  • Evaluate contemporary moral and social issues by applying Biblical and theological principles.
  • Develop professional competencies, particularly in missions and church ministry.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to graduate with a Master of Divinity degree from OTCS, the student must:

  1. Pass a total of 136 quarter credits: 96 quarter credits Master of Divinity Core, 40 quarter credits in the chosen Concentration;
  2. Maintain a GPA of 3.0 (B average) or above in course work applicable to degree;
  3. Receive a passing mark for all Christian Service and Chapel requirements;
  4. Complete all degree requirements within the time limit, unless extenuating circumstances exist;
  5. Satisfy all financial responsibilities of the university.

Students are subject to the Master of Divinity degree requirements of the catalog of the year in which they entered unless a change to a more recent catalog year has been approved.

TIME LIMITS

The Master of Divinity degree is normally fulfilled in four (4) years of study. Except under extenuating circumstances, all requirements for the degree must be completed within six (6) years of the date of enrollment. Students who have not completed the requirements within the six-year period must apply to the Registrar’s Office for an enrollment extension every term, up to a maximum of seven (7) years from the date of enrollment.

CURRICULUM

The Masters of Divinity degree is offered in collaboration with a number of affiliate ministries and mission-minded companies colocated or in close proximity to the university campus locations. It can be taken either as a stand-alone program or as part of a dual degree option with an applicable master’s degree from another school at Olivet University. Its design requires half-time or full-time employment from all students throughout this graduate program. The program is offered in an evening/weekend format to maximize the integration of essential curricular studies and theory with practical application and professional reflection.

1. BIBLICAL & BIBLICAL LANGUAGES STUDIES REQUIREMENT (32 UNITS)

Students are required to take the following six Biblical studies courses and four biblical language courses:

    1. BIBL501 Old Testament I – Pentateuch (4 units)
    2. BIBL502 Old Testament II – Historical Books & Canonical Prophets (Isaiah-Malachi) (4 units)
    3. BIBL503 Old Testament III – Psalms and Wisdom Books (4 units)
    4. BIBL511 New Testament I – Gospels (4 units)
    5. BIBL512 New Testament II – Acts & Pauline Epistles (4 units)
    6. BIBL513 New Testament III – Hebrews to Revelations (4 units)
    7. BIBL550 Hebrew for Biblical Interpretation I* (2 units)
    8. BIBL551 Hebrew for Biblical Interpretation II* (2 units)
    9. BIBL560 Greek for Biblical Interpretation I* (2 units)
    10. BIBL561 Greek for Biblical Interpretation II* (2 units)

*Note: These courses may be waived if the student takes proficiency exams and demonstrates competency in the Biblical Hebrew or Biblical Greek.

2. THEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL STUDIES REQUIREMENT (40 UNITS)

Students are required to take the following four historical studies courses and six theological studies courses:

    1. HIST501 History of Christianity I: 100-1500 (4 units)
    2. HIST502 History of Christianity II: 1500-1900 (4 units)
    3. HIST503 History of Christianity III: 1900-Present (4 units)
    4. HIST510 Historical Theology I (4 units)
    5. THEO500 Theological Prolegomena** (4 units) 6. THEO501 Systematic Theology I: Doctrine of God, Anthropology** (4 units)
    6. THEO502 Systematic Theology II: Christology, Soteriology** (4 units)
    7. THEO503 Systematic Theology III: Ecclesiology, Eschatology (4 units)
    8. THEO600 Christian Apologetics (4 units)
    9. THEO610 Christian Ethics (4 units)

3. MINISTRY STUDIES REQUIREMENT (16 UNITS)

All students are required to take the following four ministry studies courses:

    1. MINS600 Evangelism & Discipleship (4 units)
    2. MINS700 Homiletics (4 units)
    3. MINS710 Pastoral Counseling (4 units)
    4. MINS760 Pastoral Ministry (4 units)

4. ELECTIVES REQUIREMENT (8 UNITS)

Students are required to take additional elective courses of their choice in any area of this OTCS’ graduate program.

5. MINISTRY STUDIES DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENT (40 UNITS)

Concentrations are intended for students desiring more flexibility in completing their required coursework and related internships. M.Div. students who choose to fulfill their Ministry Studies Distribution Requirements with a concentration are required to select a concentration in one of the eight specialty areas listed below. The curriculum of each concentration consists of four to seven courses and twelve 1-quarter unit internship/curricular practical experience courses. The internship courses are taken each quarter of fulltime enrollment and require employment for 20-40 hours per week in a professional service role in the field. Detailed information about these concentration courses are provided below. A declared concentration can only be changed within the first half of the degree program.

Marketplace Ministry Concentration (40 Units)

Christian Media Concentration (40 Units)

Mission & Church Concentration (40 Units)

Prayer and Spirituality Concentration (40 Units)

Children’s Ministry Concentration (40 Units)

6. GENERAL MINISTRY SKILLS (0 UNIT)

The M.Div. onsite students are required to pass 4 quarters of PRAC020 Graduate Christian Service and PRAC021 Graduate Chapel every term that they are enrolled. Please refer to the Christian Service Program Handbook for more detailed information.