Master of Divinity

Ministry Concentration

What Will I Study?

The Master of Divinity degree is the traditional graduate ministry training program for those called of God to be pastors, missionaries, and evangelists. This is a balanced three-year program which concentrates on a mastery of Biblical content, theology, church history, biblical languages, and ministry skills. The program ensures a solid foundation in every aspect of the Christian ministry. This program also allows concentrations in Church Music or Educational Leadership. This program requires 95-96 hours.

Church Music Component --Students with some music background and interest may choose to take up to 15 hours of graduate level music in place of religion or OT/NT exposition electives in the Master of Divinity degree program from the following list of courses: SM 501 Church Music Administration I, SM 502 Church Music Administration II, SM 503 Hymnology, SM 601 Church Music-The Protestant Tradition, SM 602 American Hymnody, ME 521 Teaching Music, Mu 507 The Christian Musician, Mu 621 Music Ensemble, and Mu 622 Music Ensemble. Those who choose this component will be required to take a Music Theory Placement Test before they begin to determine the level of their competency in music theory. Some remedial instruction in theory may be required based on these test results.

Church Music Concentration --Students with an undergraduate music minor or its equivalent in undergraduate music training may choose 21-23 hours of graduate level music courses through the School of Fine Arts. Students will be required to take the Music Theory Placement Test to evaluate his level of expertise in music theory. Some remedial work in music theory may be required based on those test results. The music electives in this concentration may be selected from among the 500- or 600-level music courses for which the student has fulfilled all the undergraduate prerequisites. Any required music course in the concentration taken already on the undergraduate level may be replaced with a music elective.

Educational Leadership Concentration --Students who anticipate or desire a future ministry of education through a church related Christian school may choose to take up to 15 hours of graduate level education courses through the Division of Graduate Studies in the School of Education.

What Will My Career Options Be?

The Office of Extension Ministries assists qualified BJU alumni and current students nearing graduation with church ministry opportunities. Many churches contact this office in search of prospective candidates for the positions of pastor, assistant pastor, youth pastor, and music director. A personal profile may be obtained from the office, and related issues may be discussed with the Director of Ministerial Training. Pastors, camp directors, mission board directors, and other recruiters often visit the campus to find personnel for their ministries.