Master of Divinity
PROGRAM COORDINATOR, DR. DEREK CHINN.
As the professional degree for pastoral ministry, Multnomah’s three-year Master of Divinity program is designed to provide professional training in pastoral and related fields for those planning a lifetime of ministry with people. Through integrated mentored ministry, practical classroom instruction, and a broad exposure to a variety of relevant course content, the program aims to produce graduates who can communicate God’s Word through preaching, encouragement, teaching, directing, and modeling. Students can choose elective courses to shape the learning emphasis and outcomes of their degree. The opportunity to focus their studies allows them to broaden and deepen the emphasis of their ministry vocation.
Educational Philosophy
The Master of Divinity program focuses on two points in its educational philosophy -- Christ and the Bible. Commitment to Jesus and God’s Word go hand in hand.
The program begins with a biblical and theological foundation. Furthermore, effective ministry training requires skills necessary to serve and lead people in a Christ-like fashion. The Master of Divinity program provides a balanced emphasis on skill development in the following areas: biblical languages, exegesis, communication, preaching, discipleship, mentoring, counseling, and leadership.
Integral to this program is concurrent, and supervised mentored ministry. Students apply insights from the classroom to real-life experience, and apply practical skills under the guidance of a ministry mentor, bringing relevant ministry issues to the classroom for faculty and peer interaction.
Crucial to ministry preparation is the spiritual formation of the minister. Both individual spiritual disciplines and community-centered experiences in spiritual interaction and renewal are critical to lifelong growth and ministry. Attention to the means of spiritual growth is a part of our Master of Divinity program.
Program Outcomes
The M.Div. program is a three-year professional ministry degree that combines academic studies with a guided and evaluated mentored ministry.
At the completion of the M.Div. program, graduates will be able to:
- Explain the biblical text in its original context and for its theological and cultural significance.
- Contextualize major themes and theological concepts of the biblical text.
- Exegete Greek or Hebrew biblical texts.
- Engage others in a culturally sensitive and respectful manner.
- Model a Christocentric understanding of leadership and service.
- Promote healthy spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being for oneself and others.
Scheduling
Required courses are normally scheduled on Mondays and Tuesdays. To take advantage of the full range of choices for electives or concentrations, some semesters may include Wednesday classes. This leaves the remainder of the week for employment, ministry responsibilities, studies, and research.
Admission
- Must possess a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 32 semester hours of general studies from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or holds membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada or the equivalent.
- Must hold a minimum 2.5 undergraduate grade point average (4.0 scale).
- See the Admission & Financial Information section of the catalog for information about other admission requirements.
- Must believe and affirm the essential doctrines of the Christian faith.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete all general graduation requirements as listed earlier in this section.
- Complete required program credits with at least 39 credits earned at Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
- Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale).
- Satisfactorily complete all mentored ministry with mentor’s recommendation.
- Normally complete the program within a six-year period from the date of matriculation.
- Affirms the essential doctrines of the Christian faith.