Master of Divinity (MDIV)

• The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is the major program of the Seminary. It is designed to provide a well-rounded preparation for ordained ministry by:
• providing students with the foundational knowledge in all disciplines essential to the practice of ordained ministry; and
• enabling students to interpret that knowledge and apply it in a relevant way in the cultural contexts of their own ministries.
• This program may be completed in a minimum of three years. Students who have completed at least 18 hours in the MDiv program in good standing have the option of declaring a maximum of two concentrations in that degree program.
• Concentrations consist of the completion of 12 elective hours in the chosen area. A grade no lower than “B-“must be earned in each course. The areas of concentration are as follows: Biblical Studies; History of Christianity; Theology and Social Ethics; Preaching and Worship; Pastoral Care and Counseling; and Christian Education. All concentration electives must be taken at Hood.
• The MDiv is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of 84 credit hours. It is designed to be completed in a minimum of three academic years or a maximum of ten academic years. Credit is distributed among required courses and elective courses, as described in the chapter on “Curricula and Courses.” According to the number of credits earned, students in the MDiv Program are classified as follows:
• Junior - a student having completed fewer than 28 credit hours
• Middler - a student having completed 28-55 credit hours
• Senior - a student having completed 56 or more credit hours.

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is conferred by the Board of Trustees, upon the recommendation of the faculty, when the following requirements are met:

1. The satisfactory completion of 84 credit hours over a minimum of three academic years and a maximum of ten academic years. Credit is distributed among required courses and elective courses.
2. A minimum of one academic year or 20 credit hours of coursework completed at Hood
3. Satisfaction of all financial obligations to the Seminary, the return of all properties belonging to the Seminary, and the settlement of all housing obligations to the Seminary
4. Exemplary Christian conduct
5. An Exit Clearance

Biblical Studies (12 hours)
BST 103 Introduction to OT I (Torah and Former Prophets) 3 Credit Hours
BST 104 Introduction to OT II (Latter Prophets and Writings) 3 Credit Hours
BST 112 Introduction to NT I (Gospels and Acts) 3 Credit Hours
BST 113 Introduction to NT II (Epistles and Apocalypse) 3 Credit Hours
Exegesis Requirement

History of Christianity (6 hours)
CHT 115 History Christianity in a Global Context 3 Credit Hours
CHT 200 History of Religion in the United States 3 Credit Hours

Theology and Social Ethics (9 hours)
TSE 110 Systematic Theology I 3 Credit Hours
TSE 111 Systematic Theology II 3 Credit Hours
TSE 120 Christian Ethics 3 Credit Hours

Pastoral Theology (21 hours)
PTH 103 Worship & Preaching I 3 Credit Hours
PTH 109 Introduction to Theological Education 3 Credit Hours
(Required of all students entering Fall 2017 or later)
(Upon review of transferred credit, may be waived for transfer students)

PTH 141 Pastoral Care & Counseling 3 Credit Hours
PTH 162 Supervised Ministry I 3 Credit Hours
PTH 163 Supervised Ministry II 3 Credit Hours
PTH 380 Worship & Preaching II 3 Credit Hours
Christian Education Requirement 3 Credit Hours
Courses that meet the Christian Education Requirement

• PTH 120 Foundations of Christian Education
• PTH 122 Teaching and Learning in Educational Ministry
• PTH 220 Practices for Faith Formation
• PTH 221 Christian Education in the African American Church
• PTH 223 Christian Symbolism as a Faith Nurturing Tool

Required courses are not approved for Directed Study.

Elective 48

Elective courses 36

Total hours required for the MDiv degree 84

3-year Recommended Sequence
In the hybrid course option, each class meets in-person four times a semester and online for the other meetings

To declare a concentration MDiv students must submit a Concentration Declaration Form on which the student verifies the completion of at least 18 credit hours in good standing. Concentration Declaration Forms are found on the Forms/Policy Tab of myHood and are available in the lobby outside the Registrar’s office. A student may declare a maximum of two concentrations from the areas listed below. A grade no lower than ‘B-” must be earned in each course. Concentrations consist of the completion of 12 elective hours in the chosen area. All concentration electives must be taken at Hood. An elective can be used in only one concentration.

Biblical Studies
Students may select any elective course with the prefix BST. The required courses BST 103 Introduction to OT I, BST 104 Introduction to OT II, BST 112 Introduction to NT I and BST 113 Introduction to NT II may not be included in the concentration.

History of Christianity
Students may select any elective course with the prefix CHT. The required courses CHT 115 History Christianity in a Global Context and CHT 200 History of Christianity in the US may not be included in the concentration.

Theology and Social Ethics
Students may select any elective course with the prefix TSE. The required courses TSE 110 Systematic Theology I, TSE 111 Systematic Theology II and TSE 120 Christian Ethics may not be included in the concentration.

Preaching and Worship
Students may select any elective course under the catalog heading “Homiletics” or “Worship and Hymnology.” The required courses PTH 103 Worship and Preaching I and PTH 380 Worship and Preaching II, and the elective PTH 114 Seminary Choir may not be included in the concentration. The following BST courses are eligible electives for this concentration: BST 205 The Psalms in Worship, Preaching, and Devotion; BST 240 Reading Mark for Preaching Gospel; BST 241 Reading Luke for Preaching Gospel; BST 242 Reading Matthew for Preaching Gospel; and BST 248 Reading Epistles for Preaching. The BST courses may be used for only one concentration – Biblical Studies or Preaching and Worship – not for both.

Pastoral Care and Counseling
Students may select any elective course under the catalog heading “Pastoral Care.” The required course PTH 141 Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling may not be included in the concentration.

Christian Education
Students may select any elective course under the catalog heading “Christian Education.” The course used to meet the Christian Education requirement may not be included in the concentration.

Application Requirements

Following are requirements for an application to the Master Programs:

1. A completed application form and a non-refundable application fee of $30.
2. A bachelor's degree or its equivalent, from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or holding membership in the Association of Universities and College in Canada, or the educational equivalent, with a minimum cumulative grade point average of “C+” (2.33). An applicant with less than the required cumulative grade point average may be admitted on academic probation for the first two semesters of study. A student admitted on academic probation will be limited in the number of credit hours for which they may register and must achieve in the first two semesters of study a cumulative grade point average of “C+” (2.33) to continue in the master degree program. Otherwise, the student will be withdrawn.
3. An official transcript(s) submitted directly to the Seminary by every college or university where the applicant studied.
4. Two letters of recommendation: one from the applicant’s judicatory official (or, if none, a colleague) and one from a former professor that indicate the applicant’s intellectual competence, personal character, and suitability for ministry. The Seminary will provide official forms that referees are to complete and send directly to the Admissions office.
5. A statement of purpose reflecting the applicant's faith journey, religious experience, plans, and the importance to the applicant of a Seminary education.

Admissions and Financial Aid

$30 non-refundable application fee (due no later than July 1 for fall semester or December 1 for spring semester made payable to Hood Theological Seminary). Applications for Financial Assistance must be completed and submitted to the Financial Aid Office. Contact Angela Davis-Baxter, Director of Financial Aid &Title IX Coordinator: adavisbaxter@hoodseminary.edu 704-636-6023.

(Please click links for financial aid information):

https://www.hoodseminary.edu/future-students/funding-your-education/financial-aid

Dr. Trevor Eppehimer, Academic Dean, Messinger-Williams Family Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics
704-636-6743
teppehimer@hoodseminary.edu

Dr. Dora Rudo Mbuwayesango
George E and Iris Battle Professor of Old Testament and Languages
704-791-6077
dmbuwayesango@hoodseminary.edu