M.Div. Student Learning Outcomes
The purpose of the M.Div. program at PTS is to form theologically reflective leaders with the habits, skills, and knowledge to lead Christian communities as they participate in the gracious life and mission of the Triune God.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of the Bible and a capacity to interpret it as Christian Scripture.
- Demonstrate a capacity to integrate Scripture, Christian history, and theology in relation to the life of the church in the world.
- Demonstrate a capacity to exegete and interpret the Church’s various contexts as the location of God’s mission.
- Demonstrate an awareness of how socio-cultural context shapes interpretations of tradition, thought, and practice.
- Demonstrate growth in self-understanding, vocational discernment, and a life of prayer and worship.
- Demonstrate a capacity to perform the tasks of Christian leadership, including leading communities in discerning participation in the mission of God.
- Demonstrate the ability to participate in God’s work of enacting racial justice by describing and resisting the sin of racism.
M.Div. Degree Sequence
Master of Divinity courses are generally three credit hours. When followed on a full-time basis (12-13.5 credits/semester, plus required J-Terms), the M.Div. program is completed in three academic years. Student pastors are encouraged to spread their seminary degree work over four academic years. The three- and four-year outlines are detailed below.
Three-Year Plan
YEAR 1
Summer
- Optional Electives or Biblical Languages
Fall Semester
- Genesis through Esther
- Gospel, Acts, Johannine Epistles
- Foundations of the Christian Story
- Exploring Christian Worship
- Spiritual Formation (1.5 credits)
January Term
- Open or Elective
Spring Semester
- Prophets, Psalms, Wisdom Literature
- New Testament Letters and Apocalypse
- Directions in the Christian Story
- Introduction to Contextual Analysis
- Spiritual Formation (1.5 credits)
YEAR 2
Summer
- Optional Electives or Biblical Languages
Fall Semester
- Language or English Bible Exegesis
- Christian Theology I
- Introduction to Caring Ministry
- Field Education I
January Term
- Ecclesial Formation
Spring Semester
- Language or English Bible Exegesis
- Missional Leadership and Evangelism
- Preaching/Communication in Ministry
- Field Education II
YEAR 3
Summer
- Optional Electives or Biblical Languages
Fall Semester
- Christian Theology II
- Historical Texts and Contexts Elective
- Elective or Language
- Elective
January Term
- Cross Cultural Experience
Spring Semester
- Ethics and Society
- Biblical Narrative and Theology Elective
- Elective or Language
- Elective
Four-Year Plan
YEAR 1
Summer
- Optional Electives or Biblical Languages
Fall Semester
- Spiritual Formation (1.5 credits)
- Foundations of the Christian Story
- Genesis through Ester
- Gospel, Acts, Johnannine Epistles
January Term
- Open or Elective
Spring Semester
- Spiritual Formation (1.5 credits)
- Directions in the Christian Story
- Prophets, Psalms, Wisdom Literature
- New Testament Letters and Apocrypha
YEAR 2
Summer
- Optional Electives or Biblical Languages
Fall Semester
- Exploring Christian Worship
- Biblical Language
- Christian Theology I
January Term
- Ecclesial Formation
Spring Semester
- Contextual Analysis
- Biblical Language
- Missional Leadership and Evangelism
YEAR 3
Summer
- Optional Electives or Biblical Languages
Fall Semester
- Introduction to Caring Ministry
- Field Education I
- Biblical Language II or Elective
January Term
- Ecclesial Formation or Intercultural Learning Experience
Spring Semester
- Preaching and Communication in Ministry
- Field Education II
- Biblical Language II or Elective
YEAR 4
Summer
- Optional Electives or Biblical Languages
Fall Semester
- Christian Theology II
- Historical Texts and Context Elective
- Elective
January Term
- Ecclesial Formation or Intercultural Learning Experience
Spring Semester
- Ethics and Society
- Biblical Narrative and Theology Elective
- Elective