MDIV - Ministry - Specialization in Church Planting and Multiplication
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.
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 an institution accredited by a regional accrediting body, the Association for Biblical Higher Education, or international theological accrediting associations affiliated with the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education.
- A minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.5 from the degree granting institution.
- An official transcript from the degree granting institution.
- Two 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.
- 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.
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.
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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.
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 |
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 |
Electives
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| Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 75 |
