Master of Divinity - Chaplain Ministries
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.
Admission
In order to be admitted to Erskine Seminary, students must normally possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Students applying to the ThM or DMin programs must also possess an appropriate graduate degree. Applicants must demonstrate the academic ability needed to succeed in graduate education as well as the personal and spiritual qualities appropriate to their desired program of study. Students whose degrees are from unaccredited institutions, or whose previous academic work does not meet Erskine’s standards, may be admitted on probation.
Students are encouraged to apply by August 1 for enrollment in the fall semester, January 1 for the spring semester, and May 1 for the summer term.
The requirements for admission into Erskine Seminary’s degree programs are evaluated by the admissions office and the Graduate Committee (for MDiv, MAPM, and MATS) or Postgraduate Committee (for ThM and DMin) to ensure that only students capable of doing graduate-level work are admitted.
Graduation
Students must complete 84 semester hours of coursework for the MDiv Chaplaincy with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. The program may be completed in as little as three years of full-time study. Students must normally complete the program within nine years.
Transfer
Students who already possess a MATS or MAPM degree from Erskine Theological Seminary or equivalent degrees from other accredited seminaries or graduate schools may transfer most if not all those courses toward an Erskine MDiv degree.
Student Learning Outcomes
In dependence upon the grace of God, Master of Divinity (MDiv) graduates will be able to:
Articulation and Essentials
Articulate (both orally and in writing) the essential biblical, theological, historical, cultural, and ministerial concepts necessary for a lifetime of learning and effectiveness in pastoral ministry. (Articulation and Essentials)
Interpretation and Application
Interpret the Bible within its canonical and historical contexts and apply the message of the Bible to contemporary life through preaching, teaching, and pastoral care, while drawing upon the Church’s theological and historical heritage. (Interpretation and Application)
Evangelical and Reformed
Discuss graciously the essentials of evangelical Christianity and the Reformed theological tradition within the contexts of diverse ecclesiologies, contemporary cultures, and global Christianity. (Evangelical and Reformed)
Theological and Pastoral Integration
Demonstrate the ability to theologically evaluate and pastorally address contemporary issues in the Church and the world. (Theological and Pastoral Integration)
Sanctification
Demonstrate love for Jesus Christ and growth in sanctification toward personal, relational, and spiritual maturity appropriate to pastoral ministry. (Sanctification)
Pastoral Leadership
Demonstrate competence for faithful and effective pastoral leadership in the Church and its mission to the world, through preaching, teaching, worship leading, evangelism, pastoral care, and administration. (Pastoral Leadership)
Foundational
- BI 501 Bible Survey = 3 hs * * Required in one of the first three semesters of studies.
or BI 080 Bible Challenge Exam = 0 hs * * Required in one of the first three semesters of studies. - BI 502 Principles of Exegesis * * Required in one of the first three semesters of studies.
- PM 502 Christian Vocation and Transformation
Electives
The Seminary recommends that students take Greek and/or Hebrew.
Departmental
- OT 501 Old Testament I
- OT 502 Old Testament II
- NT 601 New Testament I
- NT 602 New Testament II
- Bible elective
- OT Exegesis elective
- NT Exegesis elective
*Students who pass the Bible Challenge Exam must take an additional Bible elective in lieu of BI 501 Bible Survey.
- CH 501 Early and Medieval Church History
- CH 502 Reformation and Modern Church History
- ST 601 Systematic Theology I
- ST 602 Systematic Theology II
- ST 603 Systematic Theology III
- ST 780 Apologetics and World Religions
- Ethics elective
- Missions/Contextual elective
- PM 505 Educational Ministries in the Local Church
- PM 507 Evangelism
- WP 650 Introduction to Preaching
- WP 651 Christian Worship
- PM 704 Christian Leadership and Church Admin
- PM 608 Pastoral Care and Counseling
- PM 610 Intro to Chaplaincy
- PM 705 Supervised Ministry
- PM 774 Clinical Pastoral Education I (CPE I)
- PM 775 Clinical Pastoral Education II (CPE II)
Program Director
Stewart, Michael R.
Director of the MDiv – Chaplain Ministries Program
Dr. Michael Stewart serves as the Associate Endorser of Civilian Chaplains for the Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel (PRCC). He is an ordained Presbyterian Church in…