Master of Divinity, M.Div.

Program Director: Brian Ross, D.Min

Overview

To prepare people for pastoral leadership, family ministry, youth work, pastoral care and counseling, chaplaincy, church planting, Bible teaching, community development and cross-cultural ministry; this degree combines classroom and field-based learning to produce personal growth in biblical knowledge, theological understanding, community building, and practical ministry experience. Under supervision, students engage in the practices of ministry for four semesters. Elective units provide opportunity for specialization. The M.Div. is the required degree for admission to Doctor of Ministry programs and for board certification as a chaplain.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate commitment to live as a disciple of Jesus in Christian community.
Articulate commitment to a biblical theological Christian perspective.
Interpret diverse cultural contexts of ministry using theological perspectives integrated with social scientific approaches.
Practice Leadership skills in pastoral ministry.
Proclaim the biblical good news through culturally relevant words and deeds with the purpose of leading all people into covenant with Jesus Christ and the church.
Develop self-aware renewal practices that empower fulfillment of the contemporary pastoral vocation of leading, serving and reconciling in a resistant culture.
Provide best-practices in pastoral leadership that result in growing churches that prepare, plan, equip and empower members to engage in Gods transformative mission in the world.
Interpret the emerging post-Christian cultural context locally and globally.
Equip a congregation to attend to pastoral care needs of the congregation and its community.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno

Required Courses (72 Units)

Biblical and Theological Reflection (33 Units)

BIB 709 - Bible Knowledge Requirement Seminar Credits 0
BIB 720 - The Church and God's Mission in the World Credits 1.5 - 3
Must be an FPU Seminary course.
Must be taken for 3 units
BIB 725 - Understanding, Interpreting and Teaching Scripture Credits 2 - 3
Must be taken for 3 units
BIB 750 - Old Testament Theology Credits 3 **
BIB 752 - New Testament Theology Credits 3 **
THEO 712 - The Story of the Church and Its Theology Credits 1.5 - 3
Must be taken for 3 units
THEO 730 - Discipleship and Ethics Credits 1.5 - 3
Must be an FPU Seminary course.
Must be taken for 3 units
Journeying Deep into Scripture - Any Bible elective Credits 3
Engaging the Tradition - Any History or Theology elective Credits 3
Biblical Languages - choose either Greek OR Hebrew (9)*
BIB 710 - Elementary Greek I Credits 3 and
BIB 711 - Elementary Greek II Credits 3 and
BIB 712 - Intermediate Greek Exegesis Credits 3 or
BIB 715 - Elementary Hebrew I Credits 3 and
BIB 716 - Elementary Hebrew II Credits 3 and
BIB 717 - Intermediate Hebrew Exegesis Credits 3
*Students may petition to substitute biblical language requirements (9 units) with BIB 722 - Biblical Language Tools (3) and (6) units of Bible content courses.
** Either BIB 750 - Old Testament Theology or BIB 752 - New Testament Theology must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course

Personal and Holistic Formation (6 Units)

COUN 724 - Interpersonal Communication and Family Systems Credits 2 - 3
MIN 704 - Discerning Vocation and Calling Credits 1
MIN 712 - The Charismatic Experience Credits 1.5
MIN 714 - Spirit, Character, and Transformation Credits 1.5

Missional and Practical Application (19.5 Units)

MIN 718 - Effective Contemporary Public Communication Credits 3
THEO 719 - Exploring Secular Culture & Connecting with Secular People Credits 3
MIN 750D - Cross-Cultural Encounter: San Francisco Credits 1.5
MIN 753 - Leading Organizations and Volunteers for Mission Credits 3
MIN 762 - Exegeting and Serving Your Neighborhood Credits 1.5
MIN 768 - Serving Resiliently Through Crises and Trauma Credits 1.5 - 3
Master of Divinity students only required to take 1.5 units
MIN 793A - The Practice of Ministry I Credits 1.5
Must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course.
MIN 793B - The Practice of Ministry II Credits 1.5
Must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course.
MIN 793C - Practice of Ministry III Credits 1.5
Must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course.
MIN 793D - Practice of Ministry IV Credits 1.5
Must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course.
NOTE: Students do not need to take the Practice of Ministry series in order.

Integration and Specialization (13.5 Units)

MIN 770DV - Ministry Discernment - MDIV Credits 0
Elective Units for Specialization 7.5 - 10.5
BIB 790DV - Senior Seminar - MDIV Credits 3 or
MIN 799DV - Thesis Credits 3-6

Chaplaincy Certificate

If students desire to complete a chaplaincy certificate alongside their M.Div or to add a chaplaincy certificate to an already completed M.Div., the following requirements apply:

MIN 707 - Orientation to Chaplaincy Credits 1.5
THEO 762 - Religions of the World Credits 3 instead of Engaging the Tradition - Any HIST or THEO elective (3)
Electives for specialization - only 6-9 units are required instead of 7.5-10.5