The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is a professional ministerial degree that equips people for pastoral leadership and service in churches, Christian ministries, and chaplaincy contexts, especially for ministerial settings that require ordination. The MDiv also prepares people for advanced theological degrees (e.g., ThM, DMin, and/or PhD). The degree provides a broad and integrated curriculum of foundational studies in Bible, theology, Church history, and the practice of ministry. The chaplaincy track is 84 credit hours including Clinical Pastoral Education. The general MDiv track is 90 credit hours.
Accelerated Ministry Program
Erskine has developed a partnership program that enables highly motivated undergraduate students who seek to enter the ministry to complete the Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Religion and a Master of Divinity in five years. Students who begin as freshmen in the undergraduate school will need to apply by their sophomore year. Students follow closely a regimented course of study participating in a cohort that will integrate fellowship, academic counsel, and mentoring in ministry (internships) throughout the program.
Students enrolled in this accelerated program will meet the same graduate academic and departmental requirements listed for the general MDiv degree (see above) and will build on the undergraduate courses. Accelerated ministry students can receive up to 18 hours of advanced standing toward the MDiv. This dual degree, 85 undergraduate credit hours and 66 graduate credit hours, will total 151 hours, with a significant weight in Bible, religion, and ministerial practice.
For current undergraduate students, contact Dr. David Reiter, Chair of the Bible Department, at reiter@erskine.edu.
The MDiv Chaplain Ministries is a flexible MDiv track designed for Christians seeking professional training for ministry as chaplains. This track provides a balanced curriculum in biblical studies, theology, Church history, and the practice of chaplaincy ministry.
The Master of Arts in Practical Ministry (MAPM) is a professionally oriented degree that equips students for leadership and service in Christian ministries which ordinarily do not require ordination. It provides an integrated curriculum of foundational studies especially focusing on the Bible and the practice of ministry. The degree requires 36 credit hours. Students may take an additional 12 credit hours to expand their foundational knowledge or add a concentration in a specialized area of ministry.
The Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) is an academically oriented degree that equips students for teaching the Bible, theology, and Church history in various ministry contexts and prepares them for advanced theological degrees. The integrated and focused curriculum provides the opportunity for personal enrichment or concentration on an area of research through writing a capstone project or thesis. The degree requires 48 credit hours.
The Master of Theology (ThM) degree is an advanced, academically oriented, master’s degree that equips students for biblical and theological scholarship and teaching in various educational and ministry contexts. Students often pursue a ThM in preparation for doctoral studies or to enhance their current ministries through deeply exploring one specific area of theological research. This degree builds upon a previous master’s degree, a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree or other graduate theological degree providing equivalent academic background. Students choose a focused area of study, either biblical studies (Old Testament or New Testament) or theological/historical studies (systematic theology, historical theology, or Church
history), ordinarily culminating in writing a thesis. The degree requires 24 credit hours.
The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree is an advanced, professionally oriented, doctoral degree that prepares students more deeply for leadership in congregations, Christian ministries, and chaplaincy contexts, including teaching in some Christian higher education settings. The DMin degree builds upon an accredited master’s degree in a ministry-related area (ordinarily the MDiv) and upon significant prior ministry experience. The integrated curriculum focuses upon the norms, functions, and contexts of leadership in Christian ministries and culminates in writing a dissertation. The degree requires 36 credit hours (30 hours of coursework and 6 hours of dissertation writing).