Degree Program Requirements

Course Requirements
The Master of Divinity curriculum integrates theological studies with the practice of ministry to nurture faithful and effective pastors. Students in the Master of Divinity program are required to complete 96 credit hours. A cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 is required for graduation. In addition, M.Div. students are required to successfully complete core courses in the three divisions of the seminary curriculum - Biblical, History/Theology and Ministry - and interdisciplinary courses.

These include:

Biblical Division

• Old Testament Introduction
• New Testament Introduction
• New Testament Greek I
• New Testament Greek II
• Old Testament Exegesis
• Old Testament/Biblical Theology Elective
• New Testament Exegesis I
• New Testament Exegesis II

History/Theology Division

• Early and Medieval Church History
• Reformation and Modern Church History
• Christian Doctrine I
• Christian Doctrine II
• Social Ethics

Ministry Division

• Discipleship and Teaching
• Foundations of Preaching
• Advanced Preaching Elective
• Foundations of Christian Worship
• Foundations of Pastoral Care

Interdisciplinary

• SPM I
• SPM II
• SPM III
• Spiritual Formation Groups
• Theology of Mission and Evangelism
• Evangelism and Mission in Context
• The Missional Church

A student may propose alternative methods of demonstrating completion of the objectives of core courses, such as passing examinations in a given subject, writing papers, or successfully completing courses with similar content offered by other seminaries. All such alternative proposals must be approved in advance by the Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the faculty. Once matriculated, a student must take all core courses at UDTS. Core courses may not be fulfilled through tutorials.

Residency Requirements
In addition to the semester-hour and course requirements listed above, M.Div. students are required to:

• complete at least two consecutive semesters in residency at full-time status. Residency is defined as course work done at UDTS. Full-time is defined as at least nine semester hours.
• complete at least 32 hours at UDTS.
• complete a minimum of 18 hours of classroom courses taught by UDTS faculty members, with at least six of those hours in each of the three divisions of the curriculum. Core courses may be counted toward this part of the residency requirement.

SPM for the Master of Divinity Program
For those seeking the Master of Divinity degree, two of the SPM classes must be successfully completed in consecutive semesters. This is normally completed in a parish setting.

Denominational Requirements
In addition to the above degree program requirements, M.Div. students may be required by their denomination to meet further criteria in order to qualify for ordination.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) requires that candidates for Minister of the Word and Sacrament pass examinations on Bible content, theological competence, worship and sacraments, church polity, and Bible exegesis. Presbyterian students are subject to the requirements of the Book of Order, chapter XIV, Ordination, G-14.0300 to G-14.0406. While the entire M.Div. curriculum prepares students for these exams, the following courses in particular are recommended for Presbyterian students: HT615D Presbyterian History and Confessions; MN555D The Polity and Program of the Presbyterian Church (USA); MN709 Worship in the Reformed Tradition; and HT775D The Theology of John Calvin.

Courses in Biblical Greek and Hebrew are required by the denomination, as well as exegetical courses in each of those languages. These language and exegesis requirements will ordinarily be met through the following courses:

• BI 400/500D Hebrew I
• BI 403/503D Hebrew II (Exegesis)
• BI 402/502D New Testament Greek I
• BI 404/504D New Testament Greek II
• Any NT Greek Exegesis course

The Greek language requirement may also be met through the Summer Language Program of the Schools of Theology in Dubuque .

Some presbyteries may require additional courses of their candidates, such as Clinical Pastoral Education. Presbyterian students are urged to remain in close contact with their presbytery's Committee on Preparation for Ministry in order to be aware of such additional requirements. To facilitate the student's relationship with his or her Committee the student's transcripts and evaluations may be released to the Committee at the Committee's request. The Field Education office administers ordination examinations required by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and advises students in their relationship with their CPMs.

For more information about opportunities for Presbyterians, please see the description of Westminster Tables in the Special Programs and Services section.

United Methodists are required to study the history, doctrine and polity of the United Methodist Church. These requirements are met through the following courses:

• HT 521D United Methodist Studies : History
• HT 521D United Methodist Studies : Doctrine
• HT 521D United Methodist Studies : Polity

United Methodist students also need to fulfill any additional requirements specified by their annual conferences. For more information about opportunities for United Methodist, please see the description of the Wesley Table in the Special Programs and Services section.

Students of other denominations are required to consult with the dean to determine how the requirements of their denomination may be met at UDTS. Polity courses for denominations other than the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Methodist Church , or the United Church of Christ may be scheduled by special arrangement. For more information about opportunities please see the Gathering Of Other Denominations (GOOD) Table in the Special Programs and Services section.