Master of Divinity (MDiv)

TNIU’s Master of Divinity program emphasizes whole-life formation, equipping students for agile, theologically informed leadership in traditional ministry or any vocation.

Program Details

This program includes practices that nurture students’ spiritual, personal, and vocational formation. Courses are contextualized to help students integrate and then practically apply their learning in ministry and the workplace with new levels of academic understanding and mentoring capacities.

The Master of Divinity degree program is designed primarily to qualify graduates to function as principal leaders or ministers. As a graduate level program, it requires the student to develop and demonstrate critical thinking and dialogic skills, including the ability to identify and critique theological and moral discourse, the ability to frame cogent arguments, the ability to test ideas for Biblical fidelity and contextual appropriateness, and the ability to communicate ideas effectively in oral or written dialogue.

Providing students classical, professional, theological and business instruction with an evangelical Spirit-filled ethos and within an ecumenical setting.
Preparing men and women academically, professionally, and spiritually for the lay and ordained ministries of the Church.
Developing business leaders who will embrace strong ethical business practices and live out the values of Christ in the workplace.
Cultivating Christian leaders for servant-oriented ministry in both Church and community.
Stimulating candidates to develop Biblical and ethical lifestyles that undergird a mindset for ministry and business.
Encouraging students to develop their spiritual gifts while developing strong professional skills.
Enabling candidates to integrate Biblical, theological, ministry and business skills through reflective supervised ministry experiences.

Program Objectives

The MDiv. Degree program seeks to equip students:

For ministry within their individual faith communities and cultures
With knowledge of Scripture and the tools and methods to interpret Scripture.
With practical ministry skills in leadership, preaching, worship, teaching, care-giving, and administration.
To develop a theology of ministry that is relevant to their contextual calling.
To develop their unique spiritual gifts and to integrate these gifts into their theological studies and ministries.

Master of Divinity Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the MDiv. Degree, students will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to interpret and properly apply biblical texts using sound hermeneutical principles and exegetical methods.
Demonstrate a knowledge of Church heritage, traditions, and practices Church.
Articulate a Biblically-based theology of ministry based on knowledge of the nature and mission of the Church.
Integrate Biblical and theological knowledge with the practices of ministry.
Communicate God’s truth clearly, accurately, and convincingly to a single individual or a community.
Articulate knowledge of and show ability to do the basic tasks of ministry.

Master of Divinity Graduation Requirements
Currently, TNIU offers one Graduation Date each year in May. To graduate with the Master of Divinity degree, the student must:

Successfully complete a minimum of 72 semester credits of coursework, including required courses, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
For non-theological Bachelor degree holders, successful completion of 90 semester credits of coursework, including required courses, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Complete any outstanding homework and fulfill past due financial obligations to TNIU.
Successfully satisfy the Supervised Ministry Practicum requirements.
File the Graduation Application during the Fall Semester (typically Sept-Dec), preceding the May graduation, before participation in graduation ceremonies will be considered. For more detail, please see the Graduation Requirements section in the Catalog.