| AGTS
Degrees: Master of Divinity
 Earn your B.A. and M.Div. seamlessly in 6 years! Click for more info.
Resident
M.Div. Program
The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree at AGTS is a leading edge program designed to enable:
- A deep grasp of God’s mission in the world and its development throughout history to the present
- Skills for interpreting the Scriptures
- Appreciation for and experience of the empowering of God’s Spirit in transformation and ministry
- Rigorous reflection on Christian truths
- Holistic leadership for engaging contemporary challenges
- Effective evangelism, disciple-making and meeting of community needs
- Practical competencies needed for ministry
At AGTS, the M.Div. degree requires 78 credits of study. It has been streamlined to enable students to begin or resume full-time ministry one semester sooner than traditional 90 credit programs. Course options in fulfilling requirements enable students to customize their program to fit their needs and interests. Twelve concentrations allow students to specialize in a particular area, if they wish.
AGTS offers a distinctive two-track M.Div.: one for those who have graduated from a secular college and another for those who have had substantial undergraduate work in Bible, theology and/or ministry. The first track eliminates the frustration of keeping up with students who already have a background in theological studies. The second track eliminates the frustration of repeating courses already taken in undergraduate studies and allows students to take more advanced courses.
The M.Div. combines the biblical-theological emphasis of the M.A. in Theological Studies with the ministry relevance of the M.A. in Christian Ministries. It more thoroughly equips students for ministry, and—for those interested—future studies such as the D.Min. or Ph.D.
Overview of Curriculum
Mission of God & World Christianity
|
9 |
| Bible & Theology |
27 |
| Practical Theology |
27 |
| Electives |
12 |
| Field Education & Research Project |
3 |
Total |
78 |
Students planning to enter a Ph.D. program may profit from taking an additional 12 credits in their field of interest.
Those with limited ministry experience should consider one or two practicums as part of their electives.
Degree
Components
- All Core Courses are required.
- If a Core Course has been successfully completed with a grade of C or higher as an undergraduate, the student may substitute an Alternative Course. (Several Core Courses define our educational vision and do not have alternatives.)
- Alternative Courses may be freely taken in the place of Advanced Courses.
- Six credits, two semesters, of introductory Greek is a prerequisite for the M.Div. degree. If not taken previously, students must take Greek IA and IB (BGR 530 and BGR 531) during their first twelve months of studies at AGTS. Greek IA and IB are prerequisites for Greek exegesis courses and will enhance the students’ study of the New Testament. If the student is unable to take Greek IA and IB through regular classes, the courses are also offered through student-faculty mediated Distance Learning courses.
Click here to view the courses that make up the resident M.Div. Program and its concentrations.
Ministry Opportunities
Graduates are equipped to excel in a wide variety of ministries including:
- Senior and associate pastorates
- Christian college instruction and administration
- Foreign and domestic missions
- University campus ministry
- Para-church ministry organizations
- Military and institutional chaplaincy
Comments from Alumni
| “Having come from a liberal arts college, the good theological education
received at AGTS prepared me for ministry. My M.Div. and clinical training has helped
me to be more effective in my work among health care professionals.”
Larry Cooper
Hospital Chaplain
Cox Health Systems
Springfield, Mo. |
“If God is not directing you anywhere else, and there is no reason
in your heart not to go, then what are you waiting for? I can’t imagine regretting
it. The academic credibility, depth, and openness to the winds of revival are a combination
that can’t be beat.”
Daniel Saglimbeni
Pastor
First Assembly of God
Fulton, N.Y. |
“As a credentialed minister for 11 years before enrolling, AGTS was a great
environment for me to grow in Pentecostal theology. The M.Div. has helped provide
me with an excellent overall education from both a theological and practical perspective.”
Dan Call
Vice President
College Relations
North Central University
Minneapolis, Minn. |
Graduation Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for graduation, a Field Education Research Project course will be required toward the close of the student’s course work.
Biblical Language Requirements
The M.Div. degree program requires that six credits of biblical languages be taken at AGTS. Introductory coursework in NT Greek is a prerequisite for M.Div. students and cannot be applied to their degree. To satisfy their biblical language requirement, students who have not taken any biblical language study in their undergraduate programs must take six credits of 500-level Greek (BGR 530 and BGR 531). In addition they can take Inductive Studies in the Greek New Testament (BGR 611 and BGR 612) or six credits of biblical Hebrew.
Distance Learning
A limited number of courses may be taken through directed research or distance learning
In-Service
Track M.Div. Program
The Master of Divinity In-Service Track, offered through the Continuing
Education Program, requires
that applicants: demonstrate involvement in ministry and satisfy
standard admission requirements. The equivalent of one year of residency (27 credits) at the Springfield, Missouri, campus is required. A limited number of courses may be taken through directed research or distance learning (see Distance Learning Courses).
Degree Requirements
The M.Div. In-Service Track is a 78-credit degree, which does not allow for course reduction. A prerequisite for the M.Div. In-Service Track is one year of Greek or its equivalent, which may be taken in addition to the degree credits required. In addition to the general requirements for graduation, participants must complete a field-based research project that applies biblical and professional research to a specific context of ministry.
The M.Div. In-Service Track curriculum is identical to that of the resident M.Div. to provide a seamless approach to integrative learning regardless of the geographic context in which the participant studies. The requirements for this degree as stated in the catalog will remain for the duration of the student’s program.
Click here to view the courses that make up the In-Service Track M.Div. Program and its Musim Ministry concentration
Muslim Ministry Concentration Option
The Muslim Ministry Concentration provides the opportunity to develop competencies essential for effective ministry to Muslims.
Ministry Opportunities
Graduates are equipped to excel in a wide variety of ministries including:
- Senior and associate pastorates
- Foreign and domestic missions
- University campus ministry
- Para-church ministry organizations
- Some institutional chaplaincy programs
Comments from Alumni
“The M.Div. Has elevated and strengthened my teaching and training
skills in my present ministry. I was able to immediately convert the seminary experience
into valid, practical, and effective ministry.
Ron Westbury, President, All Nations’ Bible Seminars, Inc. (Training
pastors in East and Central Africa)
“My M.Div. experience at AGTS exposed me to issues and challenges that
I would face in ministry. Expect a quality academic experience with strong emphasis given
to Pentecostal values and spirituality.”
LeRoy Bartel, AG National Director for Christian
Education/Commission on Discipleship, Springfield, Mo.
Updated:
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 10:55 AM
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