The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree addresses the development of character and call in preparation for professional Christian ministry. It provides for spiritual, intellectual, and practical formation in terms of biblical, historical, theological, and pastoral competencies, equipping students to be effective leaders in the church and contemporary society.
Focus:
The organization of the M.Div. program allows for a wide range of choice on the part of the student. Students must choose to focus in one of three areas:
- Biblical Studies
- Ministry Studies
- Theological Studies
The way the degree is designed, all of these experiences become a part of your ministerial training no matter what path you might pursue in the future.
Entrance Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum B- (2.6/7 GPA) average
- Three letters of recommendation: Academic, Pastoral, Character
Thesis Option:
There is also the option of doing a thesis as part of this degree. For those students who demonstrate sufficient academic success (usually a B+ or higher in the subject area), we encourage you to pursue the thesis option in your area of focus. The thesis allows you to take a particular agreed-upon topic and, by working with an academic mentor on the Faculty, undertake your own research into this subject area. Those who intend to go on for further academic training are strongly encouraged to pursue the thesis option. (6 Units)
Ministry Formation:
The goal of Ministry Formation is to offer McMaster Divinity College students an opportunity for ministry experience, integration of class room learning with ministry practice, and reflection on personal and theological issues as they pertain to their own development as ministering persons. The program seeks to be highly intentional in its process and outcomes so as to maximize the student's development for future ministry. By emphasizing the central development tenets of "Knowing, Being and Doing," the Ministry Formation program seeks to be integrated with the rest of the college's curriculum, and intentional in its desire to be an effective program for the formation of current and future ministers in the Church of Jesus Christ. Ministry Formation is a required course in all three years of the M.Div. program.
For more information, please follow this link to the Ministry Formation page.
Course Requirements:
The following is the general plan of graduation requirements for the M.Div. program. The required courses in each subject area constitute the core courses in that area. These core courses usually constitute the prerequisite courses for the other courses in the subject area. Each student is encouraged to take as many of the core courses during the first year of study as their schedule permits, in order to allow the most flexibility for pursuing electives in their second and third years.
Besides fulfilling all of the specific degree requirements, a grade point average of at least a C- (1.6/4 GPA) is required to complete the degree. No courses below a C- will be counted towards the degree.
| Biblical Studies | Units |
| OT 1A03 Old Testament Literature & History |
3 |
| NT 1A03 New Testament Literature & History |
3 |
| NT/OT 2A03 Biblical Interpretation & Application |
3 |
| NT 1B03 Greek Introduction 1 or HEB 2A03 Hebrew Introduction 1 |
3 |
| NT 1C03 Greek Introduction 2 or HEB 2B03 Hebrew Introduction 2 |
3 |
| NT 2I03 Greek Exegesis or HEB 3A03 Intermediate Hebrew 1 |
3 |
| NT/OT 3A03 Biblical Theology |
3 |
| Total required |
21 |
| Theological Studies |
Units |
| TH 1A03 Systematic Theology 1 |
3 |
| TH 2A03 Systematic Theology 2 |
3 |
| CH 1A03 History of Christianity 1 |
3 |
| CH 2A03 History of Christianity 2 |
3 |
| ET 1A03 Ethics & Character |
3 |
| TH 2B03 Worldview & Spirituality |
3 |
| Total required |
18 |
| Ministry Studies |
Units |
| MS 1A03 Ministry Practice & Formation |
3 |
| MS 1B03 Leadership in the 21st Century |
3 |
| MS 2K03 Pastoral Care in the Church |
3 |
| MS 2B03 Preaching: Preparation & Delivery |
3 |
| MS 3B03 Mission & Evangelism |
3 |
| MS 3A03 Creating Learning Communities |
3 |
| MF 1A03 Ministry Formation 1 |
3 |
| MF 2A03 Ministry Formation 2 |
3 |
| MF 3A03 Ministry Formation 3 |
3 |
| MS 3C00 Spiritual Formation Retreat |
P/F |
| Total required |
27 |
| Focus (choose one) |
Units |
Biblical Studies Focus (8 Electives)
- Four electives in Biblical Studies (must have at least one course from both OT & NT)
- Two electives in Ministry Studies
- Two electives in Theological Studies
|
24 |
Theological Studies Focus (8 Electives)
- Four electives in Theological Studies
- Two electives in Ministry Studies
- Two electives in Biblical Studies (one OT & one NT)
|
24 |
Ministry Studies Focus (8 Electives)
- Four electives in Ministry Studies
- Two electives in Theological Studies
- Two electives in Biblical Studies (one OT & one NT)
|
24 |
| Total required |
24 |
Total Units Required for the M.Div. program - 90
Thesis Option: A thesis will take 2 of the electives in the focus area.
(6 units)
To apply, please download the following forms (all in .pdf format). If you do not have Adobe Reader on your computer, you can download it for free here.
Download a copy of the MDiv brochure (PDF)
For more information, please contact us at divadmit@mcmaster.ca or (905) 525-9140 x24402.
