Program Overview

The Southeastern University Master of Divinity degree provides a comprehensive level of understanding of the theological commitments and praxis of the church for the purpose of preparing students for ministry in professional settings. This includes, but is not limited to, pastoral work, missionary work, and chaplaincy in various fields. Students will receive a strong foundation in the various theological disciplines from a Pentecostal perspective, will learn to interact critically with affirming and opposing theoretical constructs, and will participate in engaged practice and reflection upon those commitments within various ministerial areas. The degree will also provide foundational preparation for students desiring to pursue doctoral education in certain disciplines.

Through this program students will:

 

1.0 - Biblical Knowledge - Apply biblical interpretation and proclamation in light of social-cultural contexts, ancient and contemporary. 

 

2.0 - Spiritual and Theological Formation - Formulate personal and communal spirituality informed by historic Christian theology and spiritual practices, emphasizing pentecostal theology-spirituality. 

 

3.0 - Advanced Biblical Studies- Demonstrate a knowledge of the critical methodologies utilized in academic biblical studies by reviewing the literature of the discipline.

 

4.0 - Theological Studies  - Demonstrate a developed knowledge of Christian theologies, emphasizing pentecostalism. 

 

5.0 - Ministry Competencies - Exhibit competencies that enable effective service in vocational ministries. 

Career Options

Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Ministerial Leadership, career opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Bible Teacher

• Chaplaincy (Military, Hospital, Etc.)

• Church Administrator

• Professor

• Pastor

• Parachurch Leader

• Overseas Missionary

• Church Planter

• Campus Pastor

• Pastoral Counselor

 

Program Sequence

 Total Credits - 72 credit hours with seven components:

• Core Courses (21 hours)

• Biblical Studies Courses (12 hours)

• Theological and Historical Studies Courses (18 hours)

• Christian Formation Courses (6 hours)

• Leadership and Ministry Practices Courses (6 hours)

• Counseling and Pastoral Care Courses (6 hours)

• Supervised Ministry Experience Course (3 hours)

Program Length: 2-4 years

        Full-time students (6 credit hours per semester)

        Part-time students (3 credit hours per semester)

     Program Delivery

• Fully Online

• Traditional Evening Courses - Courses meet on either Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday

 

Entrance Requirements

All of the components listed below are required and will be utilized by the Graduate Program Coordinator and School of Divinity Chair in making an admittance decision.  However, failure to meet one of these standards may not immediately disqualify a candidate depending upon the strength of their other components. Applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis, and the decision of the School of Divinity Chair is final.

• Regionally accredited undergraduate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA

• One Academic or Professional Reference

• One Christian Character Reference

• Academic writing sample of at least five pages indicative of writing and research ability to interact with scholarly sources in a critical manner or a statement of purpose paper with a response to a prompt

 

Transfer Credit

Graduate-level credits may be accepted if they were earned from an accredited university (Regional and/or Association of Theological Schools Accreditation), less than 8 years old, and relevant to coursework at SEU.

The School of Divinity Chair will evaluate and award transfer credit on a case-by-case basis.  No transient credit (future courses are taken at another university) will be allowed without prior approval.

Residency Requirement

• Online - No residency requirement

• Evening - Classes meet on Monday, Tuesday,  or Thursday evenings on Lakeland Campus

Satisfactory Progress

Students enrolled in the Master of Divinity must maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to successfully complete the program. Students can receive no more than two C family final grades in the program. Any third course or beyond that earns a C family grade must be retaken for grade forgiveness.

Supervised Ministry Experience Requirement

Students enrolled in the Master of Divinity program have the option of engaging in CPE or Graduate Practicum that provides valuable experience engaging in an extended, rigorous writing project for those students who desire to pursue further doctoral studies.