Master of Divinity

Goals and Objectives | Prerequisites | Summary of Units | Course Sequence
Master of Divinity
A minimum of three years is required for the completion of the course leading to this degree. A candidate must complete a total of 93 semester hours, of which the final 30 hours must be taken in residence.
Goals and Objectives
In addition to the overall mission and objectives of the Seminary, the Master of Divinity program is particularly a means of preparing individuals for the service of Christ in Christian ministry as pastors in local congregations in Asia and the Pacific. The Master of Divinity program is a means of intellectual, professional and spiritual preparation of the student for responsibilities in the nurture and outreach of the church as an effective servant leader. At the same time, it is a means for the practice of Christian stewardship and service in an atmosphere of mutual respect and responsibility. Furthermore, it is a means for the development of a strong self-image as a minister of the gospel.
Though the Master of Divinity is primarily intended for the preparation of pastoral leaders, some graduates may find themselves teaching in Bible or theological colleges. Indeed the degree provides solid background for teaching a wide variety of theological subjects, though graduates are urged to go on for further, more specialized education through the Master of Science in Theology or the Master of Theology, or beyond, if they intend to remain college teachers. Master of Divinity students anticipating college teaching are urged to take six or nine hours in appropriate Christian Education subjects. This may be accomplished through a wise choice of elective subjects.
The Master of Divinity degree is intended to fulfill elder’s ordination requirements for those ministering in the Church of the Nazarene.
Prerequisites
To all theology courses, prerequisites are either six (6) hours of undergraduate work in systematic or Constructive theology, or “Introduction to Theology,” which is offered at APNTS at the graduate level each first semester. This may count as an unregulated elective. To all upper level Christian Education courses, prerequisite are three hours of undergraduate work in Christian Education or “Foundations of Christian Education” at the graduate level.
Summary of Units

I. Basic Courses (9)

  • Methods of Research (3)
  • Asia-Pacific Context of Ministry (3)
  • Pastoral Care & Counseling (3)

II. Major Field (Divinity Studies) (66)

A. BIBLICAL STUDIES (21)

  • Old Testament Introduction (3)
  • New Testament Introduction (3)
  • Introduction to Biblical Languages (3)
  • Biblical Hermeneutics (3)
  • Elective in Old Testament Exegesis (3)
  • Elective in New Testament Exegesis (3)
  • Old or New Testament Theology (3)

B. CHRISTIAN MINISTRY (24)

  • Ministry Formation I-II (6)
  • Christian Preaching (3)
  • Evangelism (3)
  • Regulated Elective in Christian Education (3)
  • Regulated Elective in Christian Missions (3)
  • Supervised Ministry I-II (6)

C. CHRISTIAN FAITH (21)

  • Doctrine of Holiness (3)
  • Systematic Theology (any two of I, II, or III) (6)
  • Christian Heritage I-II (6)
  • Denominational History and Polity (3)
  • Christian Ethics (3)

III. Cogantes (Unregulated Electives) (18)
Total 93

Course Sequence
Three-Year Course Sequence for M.Div.
First Year

  • Methods of Research (3)
  • Old Testament Intro. (3)
  • Asia-Pacific Context (3)
  • Christian Heritage I (3)
  • Intro. to Biblical Languages (3)
  • Ministry Formation I (3)
  • New Testament Intro. (3)
  • Doctrine of Holiness (3)
  • Christian Heritage II (3)
  • Pastoral Care & Counseling (3)

Second Year

  • Christian Ethics (3)
  • Biblical Hermeneutics (3)
  • Systematic Theology (3)
  • Missions Elective (3)
  • Christian Educ. Elective (3)
  • Denominational History & Polity (3)
  • Biblical Exegesis Elective (3)
  • Systematic Theology (3)
  • Evangelism (3)
  • Unregulated Elective (3)

Summer

  • Unregulated Elective 3

Third Year

  • Supervised Ministry I (3)
  • Biblical Exegesis Elective (3)
  • Christian Preaching (3)
  • Unregulated Elective (3)
  • Unregulated Elective (3)
  • Supervised Ministry II (3)
  • Biblical Theology (3)
  • Ministry Formation II (3)
  • Unregulated Elective (3)
  • Unregulated Elective (3)

Four-Year Course Sequence for M.Div.

First Year

  • Methods of Research (3)
  • Old Testament Intro. (3)
  • Asia-Pacific Context (3)
  • Intro. to Biblical Languages (3)
  • Ministry Formation I (3)
  • New Testament Intro. (3)
  • Doctrine of Holiness (3)
  • Pastoral Care & Counseling (3)

Second Year

  • Biblical Hermeneutics (3)
  • Christian Heritage I (3)
  • Christian Ethics (3)
  • Christian Educ. Elective (3)
  • Biblical Exegesis Elective (3)
  • Christian Heritage II (3)
  • Evangelism (3)
  • Unregulated Elective (3)

Third Year

  • Christian Preaching (3)
  • Biblical Exegesis Elective (3)
  • Systematic Theology (3)
  • Missions Elective (3)
  • Denominational History & Polity (3)
  • Biblical Theology (3)
  • Systematic Theology (3)
  • Ministry Formation II (3)

Fourth Year

  • Supervised Ministry I (3)
  • Unregulated Elective (3)
  • Unregulated Elective (3)
  • Unregulated Elective (30
  • Supervised Ministry II (3)
  • Unregulated Elective (3)
  • Unregulated Elective (3)