Dec 14, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Divinity: Advanced Standing, MDiv


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

Fast Track Program Overview (173 Cr. Hrs.)

The Master of Divinity degree offered by most seminaries and divinity schools in the U.S., is typically a three-year program, which follows four years of undergraduate study. The Fast Track allows students to apply 30 hours of their undergraduate biblical, theological and ministry courses toward the MDiv program. This leaves them only 45 hours to complete the second degree, saving time and money in preparing for ministry.

Students in the Fast Track begin in the undergraduate Christian Studies degree like any other degree-seeking undergraduate student. The student has the option to elect to complete concentrations to their Christian Studies degree such as Youth Ministry, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Missions, Apologetics, or Biblical Studies.

During the sophomore year, a Christian Studies student who has earned a 3.0 GPA and presents a recommendation from a pastor at the church they attend, can apply to begin taking Fast Track courses. Although the student is still considered an undergraduate student, Fast Track courses are master level courses and include master-level requirements.

When the student completes 128 credits hours required for the undergraduate degree, he or she will graduate as any other undergraduate student.

Following the completion of the undergraduate degree, the Fast Track Course credits will be applied toward the M.Div. degree program. If a student has successfully completed 30 hours of Fast Track courses, he or she will only have 45 graduate credit hours left to complete to earn the M.Div.  The graduate requirements, including those taken in Fast Track, include 36 credit hours of Biblical and Theological Studies and 39 credit hours of Ministry Study.

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.

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 24 hours.

Degree Requirements (75 Cr. Hrs.)


Theological Studies Requirements (15 Cr. Hrs.)