Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree is a leading-edge program designed to enable:

• A deep grasp of God's mission in the world and its development throughout history to the present
• Skills for interpreting the Scriptures
• Appreciation for and experience of the empowering of God's Spirit in transformation and ministry
• Rigorous reflection on Christian truths
• Holistic leadership for engaging contemporary challenges
• Effective evangelism, disciple-making and meeting of community needs
• Practical competencies needed for ministry in a pluralistic society

The MDiv degree requires 78 credits of study. Students with a strong undergraduate background in religion who have successfully completed introductory courses in Bible, Theology and Ministry may choose advanced courses instead (up to 30 credits). Course options enable students to adopt their program to fit their needs and interests while fulfilling requirements. The program prepares students for vocational ministries in the Church, teaching/writing vocations and further graduate studies in Bible and Theology and ministry.

In view of the competitive nature for entering military and hospital chaplaincies, students interested in these ministries are strongly encouraged to complete at least 90 credits.

Overview of Curriculum

*  Electives in Bible/Theology, Global Missions and/or Practical Theology. Those with limited experience in ministry leadership must take one practice as part of their electives.

Master of Divinity Components and Requirements

1. The MDiv identifies courses as Foundation Courses and Advanced Courses. All Foundation Courses are required.
2. If a Foundation Course has been successfully completed with a minimum grade of C as an undergraduate, the student may take one of the Advanced Course options. (Several Foundation Courses define the AGTS educational vision and do not have alternatives.)
3. Students who have not taken 6 credits of pre-seminary or basic Greek at the undergraduate level must take it during their first year at AGTS (BGR 530 Greek 1A and BGR 531 Greek 1B in the AGTS curriculum, with a minimum grade of B in each) in addition to the 78 required credits. If the student is unable to take Greek IA and IB through regular seated classes, the courses are also offered online. Students may not enroll in their second year of courses until the 6-credit Greek prerequisite is met. 
4. All AGTS Master programs must be completed within a 10-year time limit, inclusive of any graduate courses transferred in from other schools. 

Concentrations

Concentrations are not required.

Students may pursue electives of their choice instead. If students desire a concentration, they will assume responsibility for taking the needed courses through their requirements and electives. These concentrations will not appear on the student degree audit since students often change them during their studies. If the needed courses have been taken and brought to the attention of the Assistant Registrar of Online and Graduate Studies when applying for graduation, the concentration will appear on a student's transcript. Depending on the concentration, four or five courses are needed.

Expository Preaching Concentration

Take all of the following (3 credits each): HOM 621, HOM 622, and HOM 624.

Choose one or both of the following (3 credits each): HOM 620, HOM 623.

For more information, please visit the Cordas C. Burnett Center for Biblical Preaching. The Center offers various non-traditional opportunities for the development of expositional skills.

Military/Institutional Chaplaincy Concentration 

The training of chaplains for service in military and other institutional settings has been a high priority for AGTS since its founding in 1972. As a result, AGTS has a very large number of graduates serving in chaplaincy positions. The large group of chaplaincy candidates at AGTS creates a unique community of learners that is ideal for creating a network of relationships that will persist for decades of future ministry. This concentration provides a course of studies specifically designed to prepare chaplains with skills for the wide range of duties required in military/institutional ministry.

The Assemblies of God Chaplaincy Department strongly recommends taking an additional 12 credits to create a 90-credit MDiv. This will improve the opportunity for initial placement and enhance the possibility of promotions as a chaplain.

Choose one of the following (3 credits each): PTH 540 or PTH 541.

Choose from among the following (3 credits each): PTH 561, PTH 565, PTH 610, PTH 617, PTH 618.

Islamic Studies Concentration

Take all of the following (3 credits each): MCC 545, MHT 649, and MSS 643.

Choose from the following (3 credits each): MCC 552, MCC 553, MCC 554, MSS 641.

Course Delivery Options

Courses in the AGTS MDiv program are offered in the following delivery systems:

• Residential-Seated/On Campus. Student will participate in residential-seated/on campus learning experiences in person at the AGTS campus in Springfield, MO. Military chaplain candidates should check with their service branch to determine residency requirements.
• Virtual Learning. Students will participate in residential-seated learning experiences through video conferencing technologies. 
• Online. Students will participate in learning experiences that do not require any seated or virtual participation/attendance. All learning activity will take place within the university's learning management system CANVAS.

No more than 39 credits can be transferred into the MDiv program.