Religion Degrees Online

The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is a professional-level degree program for individuals planning to enter or continue careers in full-time ministry. A major element of this program provides students with extensive studies in the biblical text and thorough preparation in theology and various areas of practical ministry. Through completion of this program, graduates will be able to conduct their ministry at the highest level of professional competence and communicate in a manner that is intellectually articulate. Also, graduates will be committed to, and effective in, evangelism. Finally, graduates of the M.Div. Degree will be able to conduct themselves and relate to others in a way that is spiritually mature and morally sensitive.

Upon completion of the Master of Divinity Program the graduates will have:

1. Acquired a more in-depth knowledge of the Bible to more effectively function in various roles in a church setting;

2. Skills in studying the Bible;

3. A sound foundation for continuing scholarly biblical studies such as a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies; for advanced education; and

4. Preparation for job opportunities such as minister or ministerial related works, teacher in a school, college or university.

These outcomes are assessed through a comprehensive examination. A student may demonstrate achievement of these outcomes by receiving a passing grade (i.e., Qualifying or Qualifying with Distinction) for the comprehensive examination given for this degree.

The Advanced Master of Divinity allows students to build upon undergraduate theological training by taking elective courses in place of the introductory courses in the regular Master of Divinity curriculum.

Entrance Requirements
The student must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The student’s undergraduate major should be in a discipline directly related to the courses in the Advanced M.Div. curriculum. The Advanced M.Div. is built upon 45 hours of prerequisites.

Course Title Hours
Biblical Hermeneutics 3
Basic Old Testament I and II
6
Basic New Testament I and II 6
Greek or Hebrew (two years of one language) 12
Church History I and II 6
Systematic Theology I and II 6
Christian Ethics 3
Philosophy of Religion 3
Total 45

The prerequisites in Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, and Systematic Theology may each be completed with two survey courses or with one survey course and an additional elective in the same discipline. In either case, the prerequisite courses must cover the entire range of material covered in the SWBTS courses.

Students who have not fulfilled all prerequisites may complete the remaining prerequisites at the beginning of work toward the degree.

Degree requirements for the MCRP include completion of a 2-year, 48-credit program, including a thesis of 6 credits or a professional planning report of 4 credits. Students with a bachelors’ degree in community and regional planning from an accredited planning school can waive up to 9 credits from an approved list of classes. The ability to waive credits is determined by a review of the coursework completed during undergraduate study, the grades received (only a grade of “B” or higher is acceptable) and the student’s planning experience. The decision to waive up to 9 credit hours of the masters program should be made before first time registration for classes through a petition to the DOGE.

The planning core comprises a set of required courses including:
CRP 501 Methods I
CRP 502 Methods II
CRP 511 Introduction to Community and Regional Planning
CRP 521 Land Use Planning
CRP 523 Economic Analysis and the Financing of Public Projects
CRP 532 Community Development Planning and Programming
CRP 561 Seminar in Planning Theory
CRP 592 Planning Law, Administration, and Implementation
CRP 599 Professional Planning Report -or-
CRP 699 Thesis Research
STAT 401 Statistical Methods for Research Workers

Satisfactory completion of the core requirements and the acceptance of a thesis (6 credits) or a professional planning report (4 credits) are also required for the M.C.R.P. degree. In addition, the student is encouraged to complete three months of acceptable work experience in a planning office between the first and second year of study. No foreign language is required for the degree master of community and regional planning. Click here for Thesis and Professional Report Guidelines.

MCRP Program Schedule (Total Credits Required: 48) Fall: Year 1 Credit
501: Methods I 3
511: Introduction to Community and Regional Planning 3
521: Land Use Planning 3
401: Statistical Methods for Research Workers 4

Spring: Year 1
Credit
502: Methods II 3
523: Economic Analysis and the Financing of Public Planning Projects 3
561: Seminar in Planning Theory 3
Fall: Year 2 Credit
532: Community Development Planning and Programming (Studio) 4
592: Planning Law 3

Spring: Year 2 Credit
599: Professional Planning Report (max. 4) OR 699: Thesis Research (max 6) Variable

Electives: Fall Offerings
Credit
510: Professional Work Experience R
516: Urban Design and Planning Practice 6
525: Growth Management; Alt F 3
530: Practicum 2
535: Planning in Small Towns; Alt F 3
545: Transportation Policy Planning 3
552: Geographic Data Management and Planning Analysis 3
555: Community Economic Development 3
575: Grant Writing 1
590: Independent Study (consult major professor) 1-3
594: Graduate Seminars in Planning Var
595: Seminar in GIS Application/Research 1

Electives: Spring Offerings Credit
510: Professional Work Experience R
517: Urban Revitalization; Alt. S. 3
529: International Planning 3
530: Practicum 2
531: Professional Practice Seminar 1
542: Site Development 3
551: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 3
552: Geographic Data Management and Planning Analysis 3
581: Regional Planning & Development; Alt S. 3
584: Sustainable Communities 3
590: Independent Study (consult major professor) 1-3
591: Environmental Law and Planning 3
592: Planning Law, Administration and Implementation 3
595: Seminar in GIS Applications/Research 1

Total Credits Required 48