Master of Divinity (M.Div) Degree

Through the Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree, Welch Divinity School seeks to foster Christian scholarship and to provide leaders with graduate education in the classical theological disciplines and their integration with the practice of Christian ministry.

Objectives of the Master of Divinity (M.Div) Degree

Scripture and Interpretation:

Understanding and application of the exegetical principles necessary for the study of the text of the Old and New Testaments, evidenced by a working knowledge of the biblical languages for the purposes of scriptural interpretation.

Historical and Systematic Theology:

An understanding of Christian historical and theological thought with a view toward: (a) critical engagement with a wide scope of theological systems and worldviews from the perspective of a presuppositional apologetic; (b) the heritage of evangelical orthodoxy traced through the patristic, Reformation, and post-Reformation eras; and (c) Free Will Baptist history and theological distinctives, as found in the Reformed Arminian branch of Protestant orthodoxy.

Pastoral Leadership and Mission:

Understanding of a biblical philosophy of church leadership, including: (a) the leader’s personal spiritual formation and interpersonal relationships; (b) Christian worship; (c) principles of pastoral care in ministering to people’s spiritual, psychological, relational, and material needs; (d) organic models of church growth grounded in biblical principles of evangelism and discipleship, and (e) missiological principles of international evangelization and church planting.

Worldview and Culture:

Application of rigorous theological critique informed by a Christian worldview toward the assessment of: (a) trends, issues, and ethical concerns in the secular culture; and (b) current movements and trajectories within the church culture.

Master of Divinity (M.Div) Degree Program Description

The M.Div. degree totals 85 credit hours. The core requirements of the degree consist of 30 credit hours from Welch’s M.A. in Theology and Ministry, 25 credit hours from the undergraduate ministry curriculum adapted to the graduate level, and 30 credit hours of newly developed graduate courses. The full curriculum is outlined as follows:

Click on headings below to see courses:

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Biblical Studies (credit hour 27)

Issues in Old Testament Studies, 3

Issues in New Testament Studies, 3

Intermediate Koine Greek I & II, 6

Beginning Biblical Hebrew, 3

Intermediate Hebrew and Exegesis, 3

Biblical Hebrew Exegesis, 3

Biblical Greek Exegesis, 3

Advanced Seminar in Biblical Hermeneutics, 3

Systematic and Historical Theology (21 credit hour )

Systematic Theology I–III, 8

Eschatology, 2

Free Will Baptist History, 2

The Arminian Theological Tradition, 3

History of Doctrine, 3

Advanced Seminar in Baptist Ecclesiology, 3

Ministry (28 credit hours)

Discipleship, 3

Christian Ministry, 3

Homiletics I, 2

Mission and Church Growth, 3

Discovering and Communicating Biblical Truth, 3

Ministry and Leadership I & II, 6

Christian Worship, 2

Advanced Seminar in Leadership, 3

Advanced Seminar in Preaching, 3

Worldview and Culture (9 credit hours)

Church and Culture, 3

Theological Foundations, 3

Advanced Seminar in Christian Worldview, 3

Accelerated B.A.–M.Div. Degree Track

The Divinity School also offers an accelerated B.A.–M.Div. track for exceptional undergraduate students. The accelerated program can be completed in five years. Students wishing to enroll in the accelerated B.A.–M.Div. program must first enroll in an appropriate Welch College undergraduate program.

Students enrolled in the accelerated B.A.–M.Div. track may apply to the Divinity School for formal entrance into the M.Div. prior to the end of the sophomore year in accordance with the admission requirements outlined below. Upon successful admission to the Divinity School, M.Div. students may begin registering for graduate-level courses.

Welch Divinity School will also count up to 25 hours of credit from other undergraduate programs in theology, biblical studies, or ministry.

Tuition and Scholarships

The tuition rate for the M.Div. is $450 per credit hour. However, owing to the generosity of donors, the net cost of a Welch Divinity School education will be among the lowest of any accredited M.Div. program in the country. The institutional scholarships available for M.Div. students include the following, though additional scholarship aid will be tailored to the individual financial needs and backgrounds of students:

Academic Merit Scholarship – $75 per credit hour

This scholarship, which reduces the tuition rate by $75 per credit hour, is available for students who have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or better.

Free Will Baptist Scholarship – $40 per credit hour

This scholarship, which reduces the tuition rate by $40 per credit hour, is available for students who have a current membership in a Free Will Baptist church.

Free Will Baptist Ministry Scholarship – $30 per credit hour

This scholarship, which reduces the tuition rate by $30 per credit hour, is available for licensed and ordained Free Will Baptist ministers.

Other Scholarships

Various other scholarships tailored to the individual needs and backgrounds of students will further bring down the cost of the Welch M.Div.

We’re Here to Help!

Dr. Sheldon Martin - Welch College is a Christian Bible College in Gallatin, Tennessee

Dr. Martin Sheldon

Director of Administration, Welch Divinity School

Dr. Matthew McAfee - Welch College is a Christian Bible College in Gallatin, Tennessee

Dr. Matthew McAffee

Provost | Dean, Welch Divinity School | Professor of Old Testament

Dr. Barry Raper - Welch College is a Christian Bible College in Gallatin, Tennessee

Dr. Barry Raper

Associate Dean, Welch Divinity School | Associate Professor of Ministry | Program Coordinator, Pastoral Ministry, General Christian Ministries, and Master of Arts, Theology and Ministry

Dr. Kevin Hester - Welch College is a Christian Bible College in Gallatin, Tennessee

Dr. Kevin Hester

Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness | Senior Professor of Divinity | Dean, School of Theology | Program Coordinator, Theological Studies

Mr. Jacob Johnson

Mr. Jacob Johnson

Divinity School Recruiter

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