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Master of Divinity (MDiv) Degree

Cultivate Transformation

Cultivate Transformation Developing intentionality in one’s spiritual life by becoming keenly aware of God, self and others while increasing one's ability to live in love as demonstrated by Jesus.

Engage Theologically

Engage Theologically Exploring the intersections of faith, culture and contemporary theological discussions while participating in ongoing theological reflection that is situated in the Bible and church history.

Foster Community

Foster Community Stewarding one’s presence in mutual relationships, while holding the tensions embedded in a hospitable learning community that responds generously and thrives in diversity.

Lead Compassionately

Lead Compassionately Bringing attention to social patterns in our local and global contexts while facilitating connections for strategic action that are rooted in the gospel.

Overview

Our Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree program offers thorough preparation for professional ministry and doctoral programs. Graduates serve as church planters, pastors, chaplains (both military and hospital), and leaders in non-profit organizations. In addition to solid, foundational courses in biblical studies, theology, and pastoral ministry, MDiv students complete spiritual formation coursework that enriches personal development and personal capacity for healthy leadership. Request more information


Master of Divinity at a Glance
Semester hours 78
Average Completion Time Four years (Based on taking 8 credit hours of study per term in the fall and spring semesters)
Cost per credit $562* (financial aid available)
Accreditation Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities;
Association of Theological Schools
Location Portland Center (near Tigard), with distance format options
Specializations Biblical Studies; Chaplaincy; Christian History and Theology; Creation Care; Intercultural Studies; Leadership; Spiritual Direction and Supervision; Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
Application Deadlines Rolling application deadline; apply now for next start date

*All stated financial information is subject to change.
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The MDiv program will:

  • Foster your knowledge of your own Christian heritage, through the study of the Bible and theology
  • Offer tools for exegeting the cultural contexts in which you will serve, through historical, theological and cultural reflection
  • Encourage your growth in spiritual depth and moral integrity, particularly through the spiritual formation curriculum
  • Equip you for ministerial and public leadership, through coursework in pastoral studies and ministry leadership

Students will:

  • Interact with Christian Scripture, history and theology; interpret understandings critically and express them faithfully
  • Cultivate tools and habits to pursue an ever­-deepening sense of the reality of Jesus Christ through spiritual formation
  • Experience themselves and relate to others as created in God's image and called into community
  • Support the just transformation of societies through personal and social holiness motivated by love
  • Lead the church under the lordship of Jesus Christ in its mission and ministries
  • Preach, teach, exercise pastoral care, equip, and lead in local churches and Christian communities
Online
Portland

Specializations

Spiritual Formation

At the heart of Portland Seminary, historically, is a commitment to the spiritual formation of its students. Formation into Christlikeness prepares the whole person to engage the world for the sake of Christ.

We fulfill this commitment in these ways:

  • Every degree program involves students in an intentionally designed spiritual formation curriculum.
  • The courses include classic spiritual disciplines as well as intentional holistic awareness.
  • Our spiritual formation curriculum is biblically grounded and Christ-centered, and our understanding of spiritual formation involves the intersection of Scripture, theology, psychology, biology and social-cultural factors.
  • Spiritual formation courses are scheduled so that students can participate in formation courses throughout their degree program.
  • Each spiritual formation course combines rich academic content, formational activities, accountability, and fellowship, offering students a robust experience

Master of Divinity (78 Credit Hours)

Curriculum Plan

Core Courses:

BIST 501 Old Testament Introduction 3
BIST 503 Engaging the Old Testament 3
BIST 502 New Testament Introduction 3
BIST 504 Interpreting the New Testament: Use and Abuse of the Bible 3

Biblical Language Courses:

Students must select one of the following sequences:

BIST 511 Introducing Biblical Hebrew 2
BIST 512 Interpreting the Hebrew Testament 2

Or

BIST 521 Introducing New Testament Greek 2
BIST 522 Interpreting the Greek Testament 2

Focused Courses:

Students must select two of the following courses:

BIST 523 Old Testament Book Study 2
BIST 524 New Testament Book Study 2
BIST 533 Scripture in Context: Old Testament, Ancient Near East, and Today 2
BIST 534 Scripture in Context: New Testament, Early Judaism, and Today 2

Suggested sequence: BIST 523 or 524 and BIST 533 or 534

Core Courses:

CHTH 507 Historical Theology: Early Church through Reformation 3
CHTH 509 History of Christianity in America 3
CHTH 508 Essentials in Christian Theology 3
CHTH 510 World Religions and Christian Thought 3

Focused Courses:

Students must select two of the following courses:

CHTH 530 Gender and Christian Thought 2
CHTH 533 Christian Ethics 2
CHTH 534 Poverty and Restorative Ecojustice 2
CHTH 537 The Postcolonial Church 2

Suggested sequence: CHTH 530 or 537 and CHTH 533 or 534

Core Courses:

PSTD 511 Theology and Practice of Worship 2
PSTD 512 Essentials of Preaching 2
PSTD 513 Pastoral Ministry I 2
PSTD 514 Pastoral Ministry II 2

Focused Courses:

PSTD 521 Pastoral Counseling and Ethics I 2
PSTD 522 Pastoral Counseling and Ethics II 2

Core Courses:

MLDR 516 Mission, Church, and Society 2
MLDR 518 Theories and Praxis of Missional Leadership 2
MLDR 517 Transformation in Cultures and Systems 2
MLDR 519 Formation & Discipleship 2

Focused Courses:

MLDR 525 Race, Ethnicity & the Church I 2
MLDR 535 Race, Ethnicity & the Church II  2

Core Courses:

SFAD 510 Knowing Self, Knowing God 1
SFAD 520 Mystical Experiences and Images of God 1
SFAD 530 Christian Prayer in a Global Context 1
SFAD 540 Spiritual Life 1
SFAD 550 Shame, Grace, and Resilience 1
SFAD 560 Spiritual Leadership 1

Biblical Studies Specialization (12 hours)

Any two BIST studios, 4 hours each 8
PSTD 568 Ministerial Apprenticeship I 2
PSTD 569 Ministerial Apprenticeship II 2

*Students work with their academic adviser to select courses according to professional preparation goals.

Christian History and Theology Specialization (12 hours)

Any two CHTH studios, 4 hours each 8
PSTD 568 Ministerial Apprenticeship I 2
PSTD 569 Ministerial Apprenticeship II 2

*Students work with their academic adviser to select courses according to professional preparation goals.

Chaplaincy Specialization (12 hours)

PSTD 562 Clinical Pastoral Education: Practicum 4
PSTD 563 Chaplaincy Integrative Seminar I: Continued Practicum 2
PSTD 564 Chaplaincy Integrative Seminar II: Grief and Loss 2
PSTD 568 Ministerial Apprenticeship I 2
PSTD 569 Ministerial Apprenticeship II 2

Creation Care Specialization (12 hours)

CHTH 546 Ecotheology I: Theology & Stewardship of Creation 2
CHTH 547 Ecotheology II: Hope and New Creation 2
CHTH 548 Ecopraxis I: Keeping the Garden 2
CHTH CHTH 549 Ecopraxis II: Greening the Church 2
PSTD 568 Ministerial Apprenticeship I 2
PSTD 569 Ministerial Apprenticeship II 2

*Elective Studies (12 hours)

Any two CHTH studios, 4 hours each 8
PSTD 568 Ministerial Apprenticeship I 2
PSTD 569 Ministerial Apprenticeship II 2

*No specialization is earned with this option. Instead, students work with their academic adviser to select courses according to professional preparation goals.

Intercultural Studies Specialization (12 hours)

CHTH 528 Intercultural Studies I: Cultural Anthropology for a Postmodern World 2
CHTH 529 Intercultural Studies II: Indigenous Peoples and the North American Church 2
CHTH 550 Indigenous Studies I: Indigenous Spiritualities 2
CHTH 551 Indigenous Studies II: Theology and Place 2
PSTD 568 Ministerial Apprenticeship I 2
PSTD 569 Ministerial Apprenticeship II 2

Leadership Specialization (12 hours)

MLDR 558 Advanced Leadership I 2
MLDR 559 Advanced Leadership II 2
MLDR 555 Seminar in Ministry Leadership I 2
MLDR 565 Seminar in Ministry Leadership II 2
PSTD 568 Ministerial Apprenticeship I 2
PSTD 569 Ministerial Apprenticeship II 2

Spiritual Direction Specialization (12 hours)

SFAD 551 Awareness and Identity I 2
SFAD 552 Awareness and Identity II 2
PSTD 568 Ministerial Apprenticeship I 2
PSTD 569 Ministerial Apprenticeship II 2

And

SFAD 571 Becoming a Spiritual Director I 2
SFAD 572 Becoming a Spiritual Director II 2

Or

*SFAD 573 Spiritual Direction Supervision I 2
*SFAD 574 Spiritual Direction Supervision II 2

*For students with spiritual direction experience. Requires faculty/advisor permission.

Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Specialization (12 hours)

SFAD 551 Awareness and Identity I 2
SFAD 552 Awareness and Identity II 2
SFAD 555 Seminar in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship I 2
SFAD 565 Seminar in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship II 2
PSTD 568 Ministerial Apprenticeship I 2
PSTD 569 Ministerial Apprenticeship II 2