Religion Degrees Online

The M.Div. is a 3-year, 90-credit (and 4 practicums) program which aims to prepare candidates for the pastoral ministry. This program provides complete professional training with equal attention given to each area of the theological curriculum.

The M.Div. program is also open to all candidates who have had a theological education at the B.Th. level and who have been proposed by their churches, or are otherwise qualified. Some requirements of this program may be waived in view of a previous B.Th. preparation.

Programme Aims
· To provide a theological education suited particularly, but not exclusively, to those intending to work in Christian ministries, meeting the requirements of academic formation for ordination in the Catholic church;
· To provide students with knowledge and understanding of key areas of theology;
· To foster reflective and accurate understanding of the Christian tradition;
· To contribute in the field of theology to the intellectual and educational life of the University, of society in general and of the Christian community in particular.

Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete the programme can expect to achieve:

Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the programme, competent and diligent students can expect to attain the following:

LO1
A detailed knowledge and understanding of areas of theology most relevant to Christian ministry, including the theological study required of candidates for the Catholic priesthood.

LO2
A broad understanding of further chosen areas of theology.

LO3
An understanding of the scriptural, intellectual and spiritual traditions of Christian theology, informed by reasoned reflection and evaluation.

LO4
A critical competence in the contemporary treatment of issues in theology and related fields.

LO5
The capacity to present a detailed and extended study of a particular theological topic.

The Master of Divinity program prepares students for full-time professional ministry in the Roman Catholic Church. This program of theological education consists of classroom learning, guided ministerial experience, structures for integrative reflection, and a formation component. As the basic professional degree in ministry, the M.Div. provides general ministry preparation and offers a variety of opportunities for more specific concentration within the program, including biblical studies, cross cultural ministries, health care mission service, liturgical studies, pastoral theology, and world mission.

The M.Div. has two tracks–one for candidates for the ordained ministry, and one for lay and religious men and women who will not be ordained. Track I is designed to meet the needs of lay and religious men and women who will not be ordained. Track II is designed for candidates for the ordained ministry, and follows the specifications for academic and ministerial formation as required by The Program of Priestly Formation (Washington: USCCB, 2005).

The purpose of the educational program of the Religion and Theology Degree is to provide Christ-centered, distinctively Seventh-day Adventist, clinically grounded theological education for students in preparation for pastoral ministry, evangelism, teaching, Christian counseling, and chaplaincy. The religion and theology program is designed to prepare individuals for effective service to God, church, and humanity. Specifically the program seeks to prepare students for entry-level practice in ministry and for seminary and graduate study in religion and theology in preparation for specialized ministry. The department serves the general student body of Oakwood University through the provision of religion and theology courses across the curriculum. The department also serves as a resource to all University departments for the promotion of faith and learning.

While atheism has never died, it’s definitely received a second wind thanks to best-selling authors Richard Dawkins (“The God Delusion”) and Christopher Hitchens (“God is Not Great”). But the new atheism stretches beyond a condemnation of belief in God; it abhors respect for belief in God. How do Christ-followers respond to the criticisms and ideology of atheism.

The goals for the School are as follows:
Develop a style of service and ministry which cares for the full range of human needs.
Be equipped for immediate ministry vocations in churches, para-church organization, etc., by balancing biblical and theological education with the practical skills necessary for ministry.
Have the necessary foundation on which to pursue theological education at the graduate level.
Develop skills in interpersonal relationships which reflect biblical values.
Learn how to study the Bible and to relate its message to today’s world.
Be acquainted with the major philosophies and religious systems of the world.
Be especially prepared for ministry within the Missionary Church or the student’s own denomination, with an awareness of the Body of Christ.

The Youth Ministry (YMN) at Bethel College is founded on the principle that authentic youth ministry requires the professional youth worker to become a student of the Bible, a student of culture and a student of adolescence. Accordingly, our Youth Ministry and Adolescent Studies curriculum offers 34 hours of Biblical Studies course work, 22 hours of Social Science course work, and 25 hours of Adolescent-specific course work, in addition to the traditional liberal arts curriculum required for an accredited bachelor’s degree. Upon completion of this Bachelor of Arts degree in YMAS, students fulfill all the prerequisites for graduate work, particularly in Biblical Studies, Theology, Divinity and Youth Ministry. Further, the major is designed to meet all the academic requirements for ordination in the Missionary Church, Inc.

Within that context, the goals of the program are that students shall:
Develop a style of service and ministry that cares for the full range of human needs.
Be equipped for immediate ministry vocations in churches, para-church organizations, etc., by balancing biblical and theological education with practical skills necessary for ministry.
Have the necessary foundation on which to pursue theological education at the graduate level.
Develop skills in interpersonal relationships that reflect biblical values.
Learn how to study the Bible and to relate its message to today’s world.
Be acquainted with the major philosophies and religious systems of the world.
Be especially prepared for ministry within the Missionary Church or the student’s own denomination, with an awareness of the whole Body of Christ.

In addition to these, the Youth Ministry program has distinctives that focus on the particulars associated with ministry to teens.

Strategic youth ministry thinking – being able to critically and knowledgeably think about the strategies, components and assumptions of contemporary youth ministry and to effectively lead youth ministry with wisdom and enthusiasm.

Practical skills and experience - more than just classroom and theory, the YMN major at Bethel allows students to gain real-world ministry experiences in a variety of available youth ministry settings. The practical experiences are in tandem with reflection and supervision to help the student grow in his or her proficiency.

Christ-centered service – at the center of learning about youth ministry is a core commitment to Christ-centered service, seeking to have a greater dependence on Jesus Christ than on our own natural ability.

The Saturday Seminars - a four-year cycle of one-credit courses that offer Bethel College students the extraordinary educational opportunity to connect with, and learn from, some of the nation’s premiere leaders in the field of youth ministry and adolescent studies.

Multicultural awareness – the growing diversity of America, new understandings and discussions about identity in America, and the desire to reach urban and international youth demands that youth ministry people today be able to function and minister in a variety of settings.

Adolescent development expertise - the program provides a solid grounding in both traditional understandings and recent research regarding adolescent development.

The Bible & Ministry program offers:
Preparation for ministry or graduate study.
Development of skills for professional or lay ministry
Credit opportunities for prior learning experience.
Financial aid counseling.
Workshop and seminar style classes in evenings and on weekends.
Flexible scheduling in seven week sessions.

Concentrations in:
Pastoral ministry
Associate ministry
Missionary service
Christian counseling
Pre-seminary

An accelerated program accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Formal in-depth Bible study and development of ministry talents and skills
Involvement in ministry as a volunteer or professional in a Christian organization
Accelerated evening or weekend classes
Personal growth in interpersonal relationships which reflect biblical values
A balance of biblical and theological education with practical skills

The major in Youth and Family Ministry prepares persons for faithful work as youth and family ministers in Christian congregations and other ministry settings. The “YFM” major—newly revised—is in keeping with Augsburg’s mission to nurture future leaders in service to the world.

This YFM major is interdisciplinary, combining a core study of theology, Bible, and ministry theory, with supporting coursework in the social sciences. A distinctive element of the major is the combination of practical and theological training: students will have many opportunities to apply their knowledge and discernment skills in specific ministry contexts. Course work completed for the major can be used to fulfill part of the requirements for Associate in Ministry (AIM) status in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

A distinctive element of the YFM major is the combination of theological education with practical training. Students participate in supervised contextual experiences, as preparation for their internship with a congregation or other ministry organization. Augsburg’s prime location in the heart of Minnesota’s “Twin Cities” offers a breadth of local ministry settings in which to translate education into action.

The Division of Religion and Philosophy offers two major degree programs for those called into the ministry: the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies and the Bachelor of Ministry. Both degrees offer numerous classes in Old and New Testament studies and also emphasize a broad foundation for ministry with courses in theology, apologetics, church history, world religion, philosophy, and ethics.

The Christian Studies Major requires a foreign language (we offer Greek and Hebrew) and a senior research seminar. The Ministry Major emphasizes practical ministry with courses in spiritual formation, pastoral care, preaching, and ministry internship. The internship course focuses upon church administration and incorporates elements from the other areas of study.

We also offer a Christian Studies Minor for those desiring to strengthen their knowledge of biblical and theological-historical studies while majoring in another field such as Music. The Philosophy Minor enables students an opportunity to sharpen their analytical skills while gaining a greater understanding of the relationship between philosophy and religion. Whatever degree or minor you choose, our classes are personal and committed to academic excellence.

All of our ministry programs prepare students for entry into local church ministry upon graduation. In fact, many of our students begin serving in local churches while attending college. The Ministerial Association, Baptist Student Union, and other Christian organizations provide ample opportunity for our students to gain valuable ministry and leadership experience. Georgia is dotted with churches whose ministers received their basic ministerial education from Brewton-Parker College.

Our ministerial programs also provide thorough preparation for further study at the seminary level. Our curriculum emphasizes the same areas of theological education that seminaries stress: biblical, theological-historical, and practical ministry studies. Our students have attended a variety of excellent schools: Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Mid-America Theological Seminary, and a host of others.

The Division of Religion & Philosophy is committed to preparing future ministers for church-related vocations, and the College is committed to supporting the education of its ministerial students through generous scholarships. If God is calling you into ministry, we want to work with you, help you to define your sense of calling, and equip you to become the type of minister who “does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). We’d like to hear from you. Please contact one of our faculty members or click here to request further information.

Preparing students for varied ministries, the Master of Divinity provides general theological education in the Roman Catholic tradition and professional skills that they will need to serve in ministry. Students in the M.Div. program learn to attend to the needs of the Church and promote social change in a manner that contributes to the common good.

What kind of skills will I acquire?
We expect graduates to:
understand and discuss the meaning of Scriptures and the theological tradition of the Roman Catholic community
communicate the Christian message by preaching and teaching
minister in collaborative and ecumenical environments
lead any planning for public worship and the celebration of the sacraments
aid people experiencing personal or religious crisis

Does the program train candidates for ordination to the priesthood?
Yes, it fulfills “The Program of Priestly Formation” guidelines set forth by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. The spiritual formation of candidates and the exact requirements for ordination remain the responsibility of each candidate’s sponsoring religious body. These students usually obtain a Master of Divinity degree as part of their preparation for ordination.