New Master of Divinity
The Master of Divinity curriculum prepares men and women for leadership that is grounded and formed by the Bible and continuing encounters with God and that guides the church in fulfilling its missional calling.
This degree program and the distance option have been approved by the Association of Theological Schools. Approval from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association is pending.
Program details
Tracks and majors
Ministry Track
Majors: Pastoral ministry, Pastoral care and counseling, Faith formation, Christian leadership
Theological Studies Track
Majors: Biblical studies; History, theology and ethics; Peace studies
United Methodist MDiv
In partnership with Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, United Methodist students follow a MDiv plan of study that includes 90 credit hours, including specific United Methodist courses in place of parallel courses in the regular MDiv curriculum.
Modes of study
MDiv Connect
A distance program with online courses and hybrid courses that combine online and on-campus learning. MDiv Connect students can complete the program in five and a half years. (See details)
A residential program centered on the AMBS campus in Elkhart, Ind. MDiv Campus students can complete the program in three years. (See details).
Emphases
Exposure to and competence in four areas:
- religious heritage
- cultural context
- personal and spiritual formation
- capacities for ministry and public leadership
Requirements
Credits
80 credit hours are required:
Courses common to all majors: 36 credit hours
Courses in major: 15-18 credit hours
Specific discipline courses: 14-21 hours
Electives: 8-14 hours
Internships
Students will complete internships in ministry contexts. For MDiv Connect students, this can be in their current settings; for MDiv Campus students, placements can be determined by each student’s interests and learning goals.
Cross-cultural experience
Three credit hours of cross-cultural experience can be met through regular courses, an internship, international travel course, or specified courses from SCUPE (Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education in Chicago).
Former students who wish to earn the new MDiv
Students who have taken AMBS courses in the past and now wish to complete the Master of Divinity with the new requirements will work with the AMBS registrar individually. This review will determine how the courses already taken will fit the requirements of the new program of study. These returning students should plan to participate in the August 26-31 orientation (which is one of the requirements of the 80-hour program of study), unless they have recently taken first-year formation courses.
