Master of Divinity

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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

Section of Courses

Credits Per Section

Mission of God & World Christianity

12

Bible & Theology

30

Practical Theology

24

Electives*

9

Field Education Research Project (Take during last year of study}

3

TOTAL:

78 Credits

*  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 1 A and BGR 531 Greek 1 B in the AGTS curriculum, with a minimum grade of Bin 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. 

Mission of God and World Christianity Courses

Foundation

Advanced

Credits

BTH/MHT 501

 

3

HIS/MHT 556

PHI 633, 631 /THE 628; MCC/PTH 654; HIS 642

3

HIS/MHT 557

PHI 633, 631 /THE 628; MCC/PTH 654; HIS 642

3

MCC/MHT 643

 

3
Sub-Total Credits
12

Bible and Theology Courses

Foundation

Advanced

Credits

BIB 532

BIB 637; BNT 623,624;BOT 621, 622; BOT/BNT/BGR and BHE Book Study.

3

BNT 530

BIB 638, 640; BNT 641, 533, 540,541,542 or BGR Book Study; BTH 532,640

3

BOT 530

BIB 638, 640; BOT 531, 538, 539,540 or BHE Book Study; BOT 641; BTH 530, 640

3

HIS 532

HIS 528, 642.

3

RES 531

 

3

THE 531

THE 623, 624, 628,639

3

THE 532

BTH 635: PHI 633; THE 621, 625,639

3

Two Biblical Language courses

BAR 630*; BGR 611 *, 612, 624, 625, 626, 627**, 630**; BHE 530, 531, 611***, 612, 633, 634, 635, 637 

6
One Bible or Theology Course Any BIB, BNT, BOT, BTH, THE, PHI course; Any BGR/BHE Bible Book Study;  3

* Prerequisites: BGR 530, 531.

**Prerequisites: BGR 530, 531, 611, and 612

***Prerequisites: BHE 530, 531.

 

Sub-Total Credits
30

Practical Theology

Foundation

Advanced

Credits

HOM 529

HOM 633 or any expository preaching course

3

HOM 633

 

3

PTH 551

PTH 530; PTH 622; PTH 654

3

PTH 562

 

3

PTH 650

 

3
PTH 660   3
PTH 663   3
Sub-Total Credits
21

Electives

Electives in Bible/Theology, Global Missions and/or Practical Theology (3 courses, 3 credits each).

Sub-Total Credits
9

Field Education Research Project

Take during last year of study

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
3

Biblical Language Requirements

Six credits of introductory Greek (two courses each with a minimum grade of B) are prerequisite for the MDiv program and do not count toward the 78 credits needed for the degree. 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 IA and BGR 531 Greek IB in the AGTS curriculum, earning a minimum grade of Bin each). If the student is unable to take Greek IA and IB through regular seated classes, the courses are also offered through Distance Learning courses.

Six additional credits of biblical languages (either Greek or Hebrew) are required for the MDiv degree.

Sub-Total Credits
6

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

HOM 621 3 credits
HOM 622 3 credits
HOM 624 3 credits

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

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.

Sub-Total Credits
12-15

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 track 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): PTH 540 or 541

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

 

Sub-Total Credits
12-15

Islamic Studies Concentration

Course

Credits

MCC 545

3

MHT 649

3

MSS 643

3

Choose among MCC 552,553,554;MSS

641

3
Sub-Total Credits
12

Distance Learning and Online Options

The AGTS Master of Divinity is offered three ways as:

  • Residential-Seated/On Campus. Military chaplain candidates should check with their service branch to determine residency requirements.
  • Virtual Learning. Students will participate in seated learning experiences through video and conferencing technologies. 
  • Online. Students will full 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 Course Commons.

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

 

Total credits:
78-90

Overview

Program

Biblical Theology (AGTS)

Type

MDiv