Advanced Master of Divinity—School of Theology

The Advanced Master of Divinity in the School of Theology is an accelerated professional degree program for students who have a baccalaureate or Master of Arts degree in religion or biblical studies.

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Admissions Requirements

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 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • 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) in order to take Greek and Hebrew Syntax at the seminary level
  • Academic Paper – Applicants will upload a writing sample to the application. Please submit an unmarked sample from your previous schooling. It should be a clean copy and may account for former professor’s editorial comments.
Placement Tests

Once applicants have submitted all requirements through the online application, they will be reviewed for provisional admission into the Advanced M.Div..

If admitted into this status, students will then need to contact the School of Theology about taking Language Placement Tests for both Greek and Hebrew.

Applicants must pass both of these placement tests to qualify for full admission into the Advanced Master of Divinity Degree.

Program Requirements

Note: Continuing students should consult the Academic Catalog for the year in which they started for course requirements as the current requirements may have changed.

Contact the Student Success Office with questions.

Biblical and Theological Studies 39
40150 Personal Spiritual Disciplines 3
20440 Hebrew Syntax and Exegesis 3
22440 Greek Syntax and Exegesis 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 Elective1 3
Systematic Theology Elective1 3
Theology and Tradition Electives1 9
Apologetics, Ethics, & Philosophy 9
Apologetics, Ethics, & Philosophy Electives1 9
Mission, Evangelism, and Ministry 19
32100 Personal Evangelism 3
32960 Introduction to Missiology 3
34300 Introduction to Biblical Counseling 3
40301 Pastoral Ministry2 or 3
45260 Discipleship and Family Ministry
40080 Christian Leadership 3
44910 Applied Ministry: Theology 1
Preaching Elective3 3
Unrestricted Electives (SOT or BGS) 4 6
Total Advanced M.Div. Requirements 73
40375 Advanced M.Div. Thesis Research and Writing (if required)5 +2

1Introductory courses such as 25100, 25120, 27060, 27070, 27080, 28700 and 29250 do not fulfill the elective requirements.

240301 is reserved and required for men.

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 and required for men. Women will substitute Christian Teaching (45400). Preaching Practicum (30020) is reserved and required for men. Women will substitute The Worshiping Church (40200).

4Unrestricted Electives can be taken in either the Billy Graham School or the School of Theology. Introductory or survey courses do not fulfill this elective requirement.

5Students interested in pursuing the thesis option must consult with the SOT Office and take 40375.

Next Steps

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