Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

The Master of Divinity is the basic degree for those seeking ordination to Ministry of Word and Sacrament. When pursued on a full-time basis, the program is normally completed in three academic years. Many students spread their program over four academic years.

(If you are looking for information about our online M.Div. program, please click here.)

Students are encouraged to begin in the fall semester, but entrance into the Master of Divinity program is permitted in either academic semester.

Curriculum | Course Requirements | Degree Program Requirements
Three Year Plan | Four Year Plan

Curriculum

In order to serve the one God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and prepare women and men for faithful, compassionate, and effective pastoral ministry, the M.Div. curriculum will enable students to:

• nurture habits and disciplines of study and prayer that increase their love of God and neighbor and shape their personal and professional lives.
• interpret the Christian scriptures through faithful exegesis and in light of the Christian tradition.
• proclaim the gospel with faithfulness and clarity.
• lead worship and administer the sacraments with theological integrity.
• engage contemporary ethical issues with insight and humility.
• introduce non-Christians to the faith with contextual sensitivity.
• educate and equip individuals and congregations to live joyfully and faithfully as part of their own denomination and the ecumenical church.
• provide pastoral care for individuals and congregations in daily life and moments of transition and crisis.
• lead congregations to promote peace and justice in the public arena and encourage the witness and service of the church in mission to the world.
• integrate theology and practice in all areas of life and ministry.

In this, the seminary seeks to advance the great ends of the church: "the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of the truth; the promotion of social righteousness, and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world."

The seminary curriculum is organized into three divisions - Biblical, History/Theology, and Ministry - as well as interdisciplinary courses.  

Course Requirements

Biblical Division
Courses in the biblical area of study impart a broad and deep knowledge of the Bible - both the Old and New Testaments - so that UDTS graduates are able to faithfully interpret the Scriptures for the proclamation of the Good News in church and world, and so they can discover in the Word God's empowerment for ministry and personal spiritual growth. The biblical division envisions pastors who are formed by, live in, and minister out of Scripture. More specifically, students who successfully complete the courses in Bible required for the degree programs will be able to:

1. minister out of a foundational knowledge of biblical culture and literature.
2. engage the methods of biblical interpretation, including the history of interpretation and the historical-critical methods.
3. exegete biblical texts using various literary, historical, and linguistic tools, including the ancient languages.
4. articulate the essential message of salvation in Scripture, and explore the depths and nuances of that message.
5. apply, in their teaching and preaching, the words of Scripture in specific modern contexts.
6. recognize the ways Scripture functions authoritatively as God's Word to the Church, and delight in the Bible's proclamation of God's love.

History/Theology Division
The division of history/theology offers courses intended to contribute to the effective practice of Christian ministry. The objectives of the courses in the History/Theology Division are:

1. to develop a sympathetic grasp of the history and core commitments of the Christian tradition in order to be an effective teacher and practitioner of the Christian faith.
2. to develop the ability to engage critically and constructively with the contents of the Christian tradition for the sake of growing faith and effective ministry.
3. to nurture an appreciative understanding of the rich diversity of the catholic faith and the expressions of that faith in various cultural, historical and geographical contexts toward the end of forming and nurturing vital faith communities in new contextual settings.

Ministry Division
The Ministry Division seeks to help students develop a capacity to comprehend theories for the practice of ministry, a capacity to develop skills necessary for pastoral tasks, and the capacity to integrate these two. In this way, students begin to devise and articulate a pastoral theology.

The goals included in the successful completion of the required ministry courses for the degree program are:

1. to provide knowledge and experiences of the worship and prayer of the people of God.
2. to provide knowledge of, and significant practice in, the ministry of proclamation.
3. to provide skills and capabilities in the discipling, evangelistic, pastoral and governance dimensions of the church's task.
4. to help future pastors develop sensitivity to the contexts in which they are leading congregations.
    

Supervised Practice of Ministry (SPM)
The Supervised Practice of Ministry (SPM) is an integral part of the UDTS curriculum. It is a crucial setting for seminary students to integrate theological reflection and Christian practice. At the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, SPM is viewed as a formative experience where each student, along with the guidance and support of faculty, trained supervisors, and committed laity, can develop the skills and capacities for a life of joyful service to Christ.