Advanced Master of Divinity—School of Theology

In addition to the online application, transcripts, and pastor/church recommendation, the Advanced M.Div. application requires the following:

A baccalaureate degree in religion or biblical studies
3.3 (School of Theology) or 3.0 (Billy Graham School) cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
Academic Paper – A writing sample of 12-15 pages from your undergraduate academic work.
Applicants must have completed the following in their undergraduate work:
- 12 hours in biblical studies,
- 12 hours in history and theology,
- 12 hours in ministerial, theological, or related electives,
- 3 hours each in ethics, philosophy, hermeneutics, preaching, elementary Hebrew and elementary Greek
(51 hours total)
Passing grade on Greek and Hebrew placement tests (see below)

Remedial/Pre-requisite Courses
31980	Written Communication (if required)¹	(2)

Biblical and Theological Studies		36
20440	Hebrew Syntax and Exegesis	3
22440	Greek Syntax and Exegesis	3
26100	History of the Baptists	3
26200	Southern Baptist Heritage and Mission	3
27800	Theology of the Old Testament	3
27820	Theology of the New Testament	3
	Hebrew Exegesis Elective	3
	Greek Exegesis Elective	3
	Church History Elective	3
	Systematic Theology Elective	3
	Theology and Tradition Electives	6

Worldview and Culture		9
	Philosophy Elective	3
	Ethics Elective	3
	Worldview and Culture Elective	3

Mission, Evangelism, and Ministry		22
32100	Personal Evangelism	3
32960	Introduction to Missiology	3
34300	Introduction to Biblical Counseling	3
40150	Personal Spiritual Disciplines	3
40301	Pastoral Ministry² or	3
40800	Christian Leadership
44910	Applied Ministry: Theology	1
45260	Discipleship and Family Ministry	3
	Preaching Elective³	3

Research and Elective Studies		6-7
40375	Advanced M.Div. Thesis Writing⁴ or	2
	Free Elective	3
44560	Supervised Research Experience	2
81020	Graduate Research Seminar	2

Total Advanced M.Div. Requirements (Thesis Concentration)		73

Total Advanced M.Div. Requirements (Non-thesis Concentration)		74
Written Communication (if required)		+2

¹See Written Communication Requirement here.

²Pastoral Ministry (40301) is reserved for men. Women will substitute Christian Leadership (40080).

³If a student takes Christian Preaching (30000) because of an entrance deficiency, then that student must take Preaching Practicum (30020) to fulfill the preaching elective requirement. Christian Preaching (30000) is reserved for men. Women will substitute Christian Teaching (45400). Preaching Practicum (30020) is reserved for men. Women will substitute The Worshiping Church (40200).

⁴A two-track Adv. M.Div. option is offered: 1) Track One is a thesis track. The student will take Graduate Research Seminar (81020) in the term prior to Supervised Research Experience (44560) which must be taken prior to Thesis Writing (40375) which will be taken in the last semester of study. The student will write a 12,000 to 15,000 word thesis. 2) Track Two is a non-thesis track. The student will take a three-hour elective in place of the two-hour Thesis Writing Course.