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Program Goals & Competencies
Listed below are the specific skills and knowledge base that each graduate can expect to acquire as a result of successfully completing a program in the School of Divinity. The descriptions also appear in the University Catalog.
Master of Arts Programs
M.A., Biblical Studies
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Explain historical and cultural backgrounds of the biblical books and how the leading biblical themes relate to each other in the unfolding of salvation history;
- Apply sound interpretive and hermeneutical methods to the Bible including the proper use of resources such as lexicons, concordances, dictionaries and commentaries in the broader context of spiritual development, preaching and teaching;
- Articulate major doctrines, historical perspectives and theological issues, including those related to spiritual renewal as these bear on Christian life and mission;
- Understand and respond to contemporary issues, particularly in relation to how, with a global perspective, the Church is able to influence societies with a Christian worldview;
- Express a breadth of knowledge of biblical and theological issues in ways supported by informed scholarship and sound reasoning.
M.A. (concentration: English Bible)
Graduates with this concentration will be able to:
- Explain historical and religious backgrounds of the biblical books and how the leading biblical themes relate to each other in the unfolding of salvation history;
- Apply sound inductive hermeneutics to the interpretation of the English Bible including the proper use of such resources as lexicons, Bible dictionaries and commentaries in the broader context of spiritual development, preaching and teaching;
- Articulate major doctrines, historical perspectives and theological issues, including those related to spiritual renewal as these bear on Christian life and mission;
- Understand and respond to contemporary issues, particularly in relation to how, with a global perspective, the Church is able to influence societies with a Christian worldview;
- Express a breadth of knowledge of biblical and theological issues in ways supported by informed scholarship and sound reasoning.
M.A. (concentration: Old Testament)
Graduates with this concentration will be able to:
- Explain historical and religious backgrounds of the biblical books—especially those of the Old Testament—and how the leading biblical themes relate to each other in the unfolding of salvation history;
- Apply sound inductive hermeneutics to the interpretation of the Bible including the proper use of such resources as lexicons, Bible dictionaries and commentaries in the broader context of spiritual development, preaching and teaching;
- Articulate major doctrines, historical perspectives and theological issues, including those related to spiritual renewal as these bear on Christian life and mission;
- Demonstrate basic skill and translation ability in Biblical languages.
M.A. (concentration: New Testament)
Graduates with this concentration will be able to:
- Explain historical and religious backgrounds of the biblical books—especially those of the NT—and how the leading themes relate to each other in the progressive unfolding of salvation history;
- Apply sound inductive hermeneutics to the interpretation of the Bible including the proper use of such resources as lexicons, Bible dictionaries and commentaries in the broader context of spiritual development, preaching and teaching;
- Articulate major doctrines, historical perspectives and theological issues, including those related to spiritual renewal as these bear on the Christian life and mission;
- Demonstrate basic skill and translation ability in Biblical languages.
M.A. (concentration: Christian Doctrine & History)
Graduates with this concentration will be able to:
- Express a sound theological reasoning on contemporary societal issues by cultivating knowledge of historical, critical, biblical and theological themes;
- Understand classical principles of spiritual formation and be able to apply them to their own lives, as well as to those lives within the church to which they are called to serve in Christian ministry;
- Sensitively respond to the implications of a biblical and Christian worldview in ways that are consistent with the Church through the ages.
M.A. (concentration: Biblical Interpretation, Pre-doctoral Studies)
Graduates with this concentration will be able to:
- Express through a demonstration of scholarly writing a broad knowledge of critical, biblical and theological issues that prepares one for doctoral work;
- Apply sound inductive hermeneutics to the interpretation of the Scriptures including the original languages and the proper use of such resources as lexicons, Bible dictionaries and commentaries in the broader context of spiritual formation, preaching and teaching;
- Articulate major doctrines, historical perspectives and theological issues, including those related to spiritual renewal as these bear on Christian life and mission;
- Demonstrate basic skill and translation ability in Biblical languages.
M.A. in Missiology
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Articulate strategies for effective leadership, evangelism, and discipleship training in the local church;
- Apply a biblical theology of mission to strategies for evangelism and church revitalization;
- Demonstrate skill in pastoral ministry and church leadership;
- Apply spiritual formation practices to personal and professional life, ;
- Interpret and articulate doctrines, history and traditions of the Church and ethical issues in a compelling way, including those relative to the spiritual renewal as these bear on the Christian life and mission;
- Understand and respond to contemporary issues, particularly in relation to how, with a global perspective the Church is able to influence societies with a Christian worldview.
M.A. in Practical Theology
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Apply spiritual and holistic formation practices which personify Christ-like character within personal, family, church, and professional contexts;
- Demonstrate basic competence in biblical interpretation and languages related to the Greek and Hebrew texts;
- Articulate and design effective strategies for leadership and discipleship training, in ministry contexts;
- Demonstrate skill in pastoral ministry and church leadership;
- Express a breadth of knowledge of biblical and theological issues in ways supported by informed scholarship and sound reasoning;
- Understand and respond to contemporary issues, particularly in relation to how, with a global perspective, the Church is able to influence societies with a Christian worldview.
Master of Divinity Programs
M.Div. (concentration: Missiology)
Graduates of this concentration will be able to:
- Articulate strategies for effective leadership, evangelism, and discipleship training in ministry contexts;
- Apply a biblical theology of mission to strategies for evangelism and church revitalization Demonstrate skill in pastoral ministry and church leadership Apply spiritual formation practices to personal and professional life;
- Understand and respond to contemporary issues, particularly in relation to how, with a global perspective, the Church is able to influence societies with a Christian worldview;
- Explain historical and religious backgrounds of the biblical books and how the leading biblical themes relate to each other in the unfolding of salvation history;
- Apply sound inductive hermeneutics to the interpretation of the Bible including the proper use of resources such as lexicons, Bible dictionaries and commentaries in the broader context of spiritual development, preaching and teaching.
M.Div. (concentration: Practical Theology)
Graduates of this concentration will be able to:
- Apply spiritual and holistic formation practices which personify Christ-like character within personal, family, church, and professional contexts;
- Demonstrate skill in pastoral ministry and church leadership Articulate strategies for effective leadership and discipleship training in ministry contexts;
- Understand and respond to contemporary issues, particularly in relation to how, with a global perspective, the church is able to influence societies with a Christian worldview contemporary issues, particularly in relation to how, with a global perspective, the Church is able to influence societies with a Christian worldview;
- Explain historical and religious backgrounds of the biblical books and how the leading biblical themes relate to each other in the unfolding of salvation history;
- Demonstrate basic competence in biblical interpretation and languages related to the Greek and Hebrew texts Express a breadth of knowledge of biblical and theological issues in ways supported by informed scholarship and sound reasoning;
- Apply sound inductive hermeneutics to derive biblical theologies of ministry and mission for effective strategies in the broader context of spiritual development, preaching and teaching;
- Articulate major doctrines, historical perspectives and theological issues, including those relative to the spiritual renewal as these bear on the Christian life and mission.
Doctoral Programs
D.Min.
Specific goals have been established for the School of Divinity D.Min. degree:
- Foster continued growth in spiritual maturity;
- Build advanced understanding of the nature and purposes of ministry;
- Enhance competencies in ministerial analysis and skills; Explore and present new knowledge about the practice of ministry;
- Foster integration of these dimensions into the theologically reflective practice of ministry.
Ph.D.
The School of Divinity's Ph.D. in Renewal Studies program is intended to equip students with the appropriate breadth of academic learning and practical skills needed to be involved in theological research and education of the highest order. Its curriculum is designed to produce scholars, researchers, and educators with expertise in Renewal Studies. At the successful completion of this program, graduates should be able to:
- exhibit competence in the use of renewal methodological approaches to the disciplines of biblical studies, history, or theology;
- demonstrate fluency with the field of Renewal Studies as applied to biblical studies, history, or theology;
- publish original research in renewal biblical studies, renewal history or renewal theology;
- demonstrate facility with contemporary conventions of advanced academic research methods and approaches in biblical studies, history, or theology, with special reference to renewal studies;
- contribute to the wider conversation of the theological academy from a renewal perspective;
- apply distinctive elements of a research-based pedagogy that are sensitive to the contextual variables of education;
- demonstrate familiarity with instructional planning, learner needs, teaching strategies, technological media, and assessment techniques.