Mission Statement
The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree is the standard degree in American theological education. The M.Div. provides a solid foundation for ministry service by leading students through a wide range of disciplines, including Biblical studies, theology, history, philosophy, pastoral ministry, preaching, evangelism and more. The degree program will be appropriate for a variety of persons, including recent college graduates entering ministry and those already in ministry who are ready for advanced study.
Master of Divinity and Master of Ministry Personnel
Dr. Michael Duduit, Dean, College of Christian Studies and Clamp Divinity School,
Dr. Kristopher K. Barnett, Associate Dean, Clamp Divinity School and Associate Professor of Christian Ministry
Dr. Benjamin Brammer, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. Bryan Cribb, Associate Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. Channing Crisler, Associate Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. Charles W. Fuller, Associate Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. Tim McKnight, Associate Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. Ryan Neal, Provost and Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. James Noble, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. Luke Stamps, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies
Ms. Kendyl McElreath, Administrative Assistant
Program Overview
The Master of Divinity is a 75-hour degree program which is offered via multiple delivery modes, including classroom and online options. Both classroom and online classes allow students to select between traditional 15-week semesters and accelerated 7-week terms. Students can also select courses during a four-week May Term, and two one-week Intensive courses offered in the summer.
Master of Divinity Degree Requirements
In order to be awarded the Master of Divinity degree, the student must successfully complete the 75-hour curriculum of courses.
Admission Requirements
Regular Admission
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher learning
- Cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Three letters of recommendation. One of the recommendation letters must be from the pastor/minister of the local church where the applicant is currently a member; if the applicant is the pastor, then the letter may come from another leader within the church.
- Submit statement of faith and description of church involvement
- $40 application fee
- Minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper), 220 (computer) or 75 (internet) if English is not the student’s first language, and proof of current Visa for International students
If graduates of Anderson University’s Master of Ministry program enroll in the Master of Divinity degree program, they will be admitted with advanced standing. The 27 hours of overlapping course hours between the two degrees will be applied to the MDiv transcript, leaving 48 hours to complete.
Provisional Admission
Provisional Admission
Students who do not meet all of the requirements for the Master of Divinity may seek provisional admission under the following circumstances:
- A limited number of applicants who have a baccalaureate degree from a college or university that is not regionally-accredited may be accepted on a provisional basis.
- Applicants with a college cumulative grade point average below 2.5 on a 4.0 scale may be accepted provisionally on an individual basis.
In addition to regular admission requirements, applicants seeking provisional admission must score a minimum of 143 on the Verbal and 3.5 on the Analytical sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The Qualitative Section will not be considered.
The Associate Dean of the Clamp Divinity School will consider such applications based on academic merit and ministry experience on an individual basis. If accepted on a provisional basis, the student’s academic record will be reviewed by the Associate Dean of the Clamp Divinity School after the student completes 12 hours of course work. At that time, if the student’s GPA is at or above 2.0, the provisional status will be removed. If the GPA is below 2.0, the student will be dismissed from the program. If dismissed from the program, students can appeal to the Dean of the College of Christian Studies for one additional semester to raise the GPA to 2.0.
Non-degree Seeking Students
A limited number of students who do not have the prerequisites for regular admission may be admitted on a non-degree basis, in order to take courses in the Master of Divinity program without applying those toward a degree. Such applicants must fulfill all steps in the regular application process, while indicating on the application that they are seeking non-degree status. Non-degree students who complete all requirements of the Master of Divinity program will receive a Certificate in Ministry reflecting their completion of the program curriculum, but they will not receive a Master of Divinity or any other degree.
Advanced Standing
Students who major in Christian Studies within Anderson’s College of Christian Studies will a have the option of applying to enter the MDiv track in their junior and/or senior years, based on an overall GPA of 3.0 and a letter of recommendation from their church.
As an undergraduate, the student will be eligible to take up to 30 graduate hours in courses that may later be applied toward the Master of Divinity degree. Upon graduation with the baccalaureate degree, the student may enter the Master of Divinity degree program with advanced standing, receiving up to 30 hours of credit for those graduate courses done while an undergraduate Christian Studies major. For more information contact the Dean of the College of Christian Studies or the Director of the Master of Divinity program.
Transfer of Credits
Anderson University recognizes appropriate course work completed at other seminaries, universities and colleges that have been accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies in the U.S. (Acceptance of credit from a non-regionally accredited institution will be made on a case by case basis, depending on the institution.) Transfer courses must be appropriate for the degree program, and have commensurate academic content and expectations to the course being substituted, with a grade of “B” or higher. Transfer hours are posted on the official transcript as credit earned with no grade. The maximum amount of transfer credit for the Master of Divinity degree is 33 hours.
Courses of Study
A student will be required to complete 75 hours of course work; of these, up to 33 hours may be transferred into the graduate program. No course below the 500 level will be counted toward graduate degree requirements. Courses rotate on a regular sequence. The maximum time for completing the graduate program is nine (9) years.
