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 or master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education.
- A minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.5 from the degree granting institution.
- An official transcript from the degree granting institution.
- Three recommendations including
- One from a pastor or denominational supervisor.
- A general recommendation.
- An endorsement from their local church board or appropriate church body.
- 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.
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.
- 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 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.
- Successful completion of the Bible Content exam with a 70% or higher.
- All requirements for the degree must be completed within ten years.
- Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
M.Div. Program of Study
Foundational Courses
Praxis Courses
Spiritual Formation
| SPIR-500 | Spiritual Formation: Change & Transformation | 1 |
| SPIR-520 | Spiritual Formation: Self Awareness & Appraisal | 1 |
| SPIR-540 | Spiritual Formation: Goal Setting & Accountability | 1 |
| SPIR-560 | Spiritual Formation: Mentoring & Spiritual Direction | 1 |
| SPIR-570 | Spiritual Formation: Personal & Corporate Disciplines | 1 |
| SPIR-590 | Spiritual Formation: Recovery & Deliverance | 1 |
Electives
Specialization in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
| CONG-530 | Family Ministry for 21st Century Families | 3 |
| PROC-525 | Effective Communication With Children And Youth | 3 |
| CONG-550 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| CONG-540 | Programming and Management in Family Ministry | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 75 |
Specialization in Church Health and Revitalization
| CONG-555 | Diagnosis and Prescription for a Healthy Church | 3 |
| MIN-563 | Power, Change, and Conflict Management | 3 |
| CONG-525 | Newcomer Integration | 3 |
| CONG-560 | Church Revitalization Field Study | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 75 |
Specialization in Church Planting and Multiplication
| MISS-550 | Multiply: Foundations of Church Planting and Multiplication | 3 |
| MISS-552 | Core: the Calling, Character, and Competency of a Church Multiplier | 3 |
| MISS-553 | Launch: Initiating Effective New Churches, Sites, and Venues | 3 |
| MISS-554 | Thrive: Maximizing the Post-Launch Phase | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 75 |
Specialization in Leadership
| LEAD-545 | Strategic Leadership and Management | 3 |
| LEAD-520 | Communication and Leadership | 3 |
| LEAD-560 | Power, Change, and Conflict Management | 3 |
| LEAD-550 | Intergenerational Leadership | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 75 |
Specialization in Pastoral Care
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| Electives from Graduate Counseling Courses | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 75 |
Specialization in Spiritual Formation
Specialization in Worship Arts
| WSHP-520 | Time and Space in Worship | 3 |
| WSHP-540 | Music and Arts in Worship | 3 |
| WSHP-560 | Media and Technology in Worship | 3 |
| WSHP-580 | Emerging Trends in Worship | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 75 |
