MDIV - Ministry

The required courses (60 hours) of the Master of Divinity degree are offered in cohort groups that meet weekly online or onsite, in addition to intensive and blended classes, which are often electives (15 hours). Cohort programs take students through a sequence of courses as a group. The core of the MDiv curriculum consists of six, six-hour praxis courses of 16 weeks each, offered in the Fall and Spring. Each praxis course is further accompanied by a one-hour spiritual formation course. In addition, students take three-hour foundational courses in Bible, theology, church history, and ministry context in an intensive, one week format, along with a three-hour orientation and then capstone intensive courses. An additional 15 hours of elective credits are then needed to complete the 75 hour degree requirement.

Students who have taken equivalent courses in their undergraduate program to BIBL-500 The Bible as Christian Scripture, THEO-500 Introduction to Christian Theology, and CHST-500 Global Christian History will be allowed/encouraged to substitute an advanced Bible, theology, or church history elective, or may apply for Advanced Standing with credit.

MDiv students who wish to take the online versions of BIBL-500, THEO-500, or CHST-500 must have permission from the Dean of Wesley Seminary.

Admission Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education.
• A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 2.5 from the baccalaureate degree granting institution.
• An official transcript from the baccalaureate degree granting institution.
• Three references, including
  1. One from a pastor or denominational supervisor.
  2. An endorsement from their local church board or appropriate church body.
  3. Two additional references of the applicant’s choosing.
• A three to four page autobiography and statement of ministry purpose. The statement of purpose should reflect one’s sense of God’s direction in relation to Christian ministry or service.
• Applicants must currently be involved in an appropriate ministry or be willing to be placed in such a ministry throughout the program (see application for details).
• Students may transfer up to 27 hours of prior graduate work from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of study. Credit for up to half the hours of a completed master’s degree may also count toward the M.Div. if the courses are relevant to ministry.
• In circumstances when the Seminary has an articulation agreement with a particular undergraduate institution, the total number of M.Div. hours required may be shortened up to 12 hours in lieu of established course relationships.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of 27 hours may be transferred from another accredited master's program, provided it falls within seven years prior to admission.

Program Requirements

• Courses taken at IWU more than seven years prior to admission or readmission to the Seminary cannot be used to fulfill the requirements for this degree.

• Students are required annually in August to submit an updated Church Endorsement Form in order to continue in the MPTh degree program.
• Students must have completed all core courses before enrolling in MDIV-695. Registration in MDIV-695 will be cancelled for any students who fail to satisfactorily complete all core courses. All requirements for the degree must be completed within ten years of enrollment.

• The default expectation of the MDiv program is to take at least 24 credit hours of the degree in a face-to-face setting. The student can then take the remainder of the program either online or onsite. Intensive courses are often offered around a weekend of yearly convocation, during which most students and faculty in the program come to campus.

• Students in the MDiv program must pass the Bible Content exam with a 70% or higher prior to taking SPIR-540 Goal Setting and Accountability. Students who fail to achieve a sufficient score on the exam will be automatically withdrawn from future courses until such time as they pass the exam.

• Students may choose specific electives to complete the MDiv with a specialization in Church Planting and Multiplication, Church Health and Revitalization, Children, Youth, and Family Ministry, Leadership, Pastoral Care, and Worship Arts.

Graduation Requirements

• Completion of core requirements.

• Minimum grade of "C" in each core and elective course.
• Cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
• All requirements for the degree must be completed within ten years.
• Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.