Logo International Theological Seminary

Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity program is designed primarily for persons wishing to prepare themselves for the ordained ministry as church leaders or theologians for Third World churches. This program seeks to integrate a classical reformed theological curriculum with supervised practical education in contemporary ministry. Every attempt is made to integrate the education into the student's own ethnic setting. Normally a student can complete the program in three years.

The program requires the completion of 146 units, consisting of 125 units of core/required departmental electives and 18 units of general electives. It is advisable for the student to concentrate general electives in a particular department.

Admission

A student seeking admission to the seminary and M.Div. degree program should do so in obedient response to God's call to ministry through his Word and Spirit. Christ gives gifts to his church, and the New Testament teaches that all believers are so endowed (I Peter 4:10). Nevertheless among believers there are found some with gifts which single them out for ordination as ministers of the Word. An applicant's call, therefore, must include a personal inner conviction created in the heart, mind, and conscience by God's Spirit, and also a communal endorsement through a body of believers who can testify to the gifts for ministry possessed by an applicant. The central task of International Theological Seminary is the nurturing of those gifts for ministry which the student possesses.

Personal Qualifications

In order to evaluate the personal qualifications of each applicant, the seminary requires:

a. An autobiography by the applicant including an indication of love for and commitment to Christ and his church, a statement of personal faith, a statement of understanding and sense of calling to the Christian ministry, a summary of ministry experience, and an assessment of personal qualifications and gifts for ministry.
b. A recommendation by the church concerning the applicant's personal qualifications, demonstrated gifts and genuine potential for ministry.
c. Additional letters of recommendation from individuals concerning the applicant's personal qualifications and gifts for ministry.

In lieu of above letters of recommendations, applicants may use the recommendation forms provided in the ITS application package.

Academic Qualifications

To qualify for admission as a candidate for the M.Div. degree at International Theological Seminary, an applicant must possess a B.A. degree, or its equivalent, from a regionally accredited, governmentally licensed or registered institution. Students with baccalaureate degrees from institutions not regionally accredited, governmentally licensed or registered, including Bible college , may be admitted upon evidence of ability to pursue graduate studies. In such cases, the applicant's scholastic record in college will be taken into consideration. The transcripts of such graduates will be evaluated for weaknesses in the liberal arts background, and, if such weaknesses exist, further work may be required.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for the Master of Divinity degree will have met the following requirements for graduation:

1. Completed all course requirements with minimum grade point average of 2.67 (B-), and with no grade below a "C" counting toward the degree.
2. Successfully passed the written Bible Knowledge Test designed by ITS Biblical Department.
3. Settled all financial obligation with the ITS Administrative office.
4. Completed all requirements for the degree within five years from the time of matriculation.

Course Requirements

(unless otherwise specified, courses below are required core.)

Division	Courses	Hours
Language Division	100 Hebrew 110 Hebrew II 200 New Testament Greek 210 New Testament Greek I	4 4 4 4
Biblical Division	120 Hebrew Readings 130 A or B: Old Testament I 140 A or B: Old Testament II 150 A or B: Old Testament III Required O.T Electives 220 Greek Readings & Exegesis 230 New Testament I 240 New Testament II 250 New Testament III Required N.T. Electives	3 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 3
Historical Division	310 General Church History I 320 General Church History II 330 Non-Western Church History	4 4 3
Theological Division	410 Hermeneutics & Biblical Interpretation 440 Doctrine of God and Man 450 Doctrine of Christ and Salvation 460 Doctrine of Church, Holy Spirit and the Last Things 510 Apologetics 530 Christian Ethics 540 Contemporary Social Problems Required Theological Electives	2 3 4 4 3 3 3 6
Practical Theology	610 Pastoral Theology I 620 Pastoral Theology II 630 Pastoral Theology III 640 Pastoral Theology IV 650 Homiletics 660 Middler Preaching I 670 Middler Preaching II 680 Senior Preaching 800 Evangelism, Mission, and Introduction to Urban Ministry Required Departmental Elective	4 4 4 4 3 2 2 4 3
	General Electives or area of concentration	18
	TOTAL	145

Practical Education Requirements

Practical education is an integral part of the total academic program of the Seminary. The function of practical education is to relate the study of theology to the practice of ministry. This process consists of two courses in spiritual formation and practical experiences in church work which through supervision, evaluation, and theological reflection will prepare the student both personally and professionally for the ordained ministry. Thirty units of field education are required. Students must arrange their Practical Assignments with the Director of Practical Education.

The second key element in the Practical Education Program is the reflection process. Once a week for one hour each student in the Practical Education Program will meet with the Director in a small group setting. The Director of Field Education will facilitate theological reflection on the character and skills needed for ministry. First year students will reflect on the character and calling for ministry in PE 100. Second year students will reflect on the gifts and skills for ministry in PE 200. Third year students will reflect on a special individualized aspect of ministerial development in PE 300.

The requirement of practical education may be waived if the candidate has more than three years of continuous formal ministry in a church ministry by ecclesiastical attestation. In that event, the student must still take a minimum of 4 units in Spiritual Formation.