Master of Divinity (School of Theology)
Master of Divinity
The training you need to live your calling, wherever God calls you.
The Southwestern Master of Divinity (MDiv) has recently been revised and updated to provide students both a faster track through seminary and a more practical focus in their studies.
DEGREE HIGHLIGHTS
- 12 credit hours of biblical languages
- Includes studies in Christian worldview and culture
- Includes focused study in pastoral ministry, church leadership, and administration
Students receive training in the classical theological disciplines of Old Testament, New Testament, church history and historical theology, systematic theology, ethics, and philosophy, as well as applied disciplines such as pastoral ministry, preaching, evangelism, and missions. In addition, students may use elective hours to pursue concentrations in any school at Southwestern in accordance with their ministry goals and academic interests. The School of Theology M.Div. is the master’s degree best suited for the student preparing for a pastoral or preaching ministry, as well as those seeking to flourish as servant leaders of other ministries focused on precise and practical teaching of the Bible.
Available Concentrations
- Biblical Languages
- New Testament
- Old Testament
- Biblical Theology
- Theological Studies
- Philosophy, Apologetics, and Ethics
- Pastoral Ministries
- Preaching
- Chaplaincy
- Biblical Counseling
- Children's Ministry
- Ministry Leadership and Administration
- Collegiate Ministry
- Discipleship and Teaching
- Student Ministry
- Family Ministry
- Evangelism
- Missions
- Ministry to Women
- Worship
Course Requirements
Prerequisites
The student must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. For other details on prerequisite requirements, please contact the Registrar’s Office.
Degree Requirements
| COURSE TITLE | COURSE NUMBER | HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| Hermeneutics | BIBST 3203 | 3 |
| Old Testament I | OLDTS 3313 | 3 |
| Old Testament II | OLDTS 3323 | 3 |
| New Testament I | NEWTS 3313 | 3 |
| New Testament II | NEWTS 3323 | 3 |
| Greek 1 | GREEK 3313 | 3 |
| Greek 2 | GREEK 3323 | 3 |
| Hebrew 1 | HEBRW 4313 | 3 |
| Hebrew 2 | HEBRW 4323 | 3 |
| COURSE TITLE | COURSE NUMBER | HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| Church History I | CHAHT 3103 | 3 |
| Church History II | CHAHT 3113 | 3 |
| Baptist Heritage | BPTST 3203 | 3 |
| Systematic Theology I | SYSTH 3003 | 3 |
| Systematic Theology II | SYSTH 3013 | 3 |
| PHILOSOPHY SELECTIVE | CHOOSE 1: | 3 |
| - Philosophy of Religion | PHILO 4313 | |
| - Christian Apologetics | PHILO 4373 | |
| Christian Worldview and Cultural Engagement | ETHIC 4323 | 3 |
| COURSE TITLE | COURSE NUMBER | HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Expository Preaching | PRCHG 3313 or WOMST 40431 | 3 |
| Advanced Expository Preaching | PRCHG 3322 or WOMST 40721 | 2 |
| Pastoral Ministry | PASMIN 3313 or WOMIN 42231 | 3 |
| Church Leadership and Administration | SWBTS 3503 | 3 |
| MINISTRY SELECTIVE | CHOOSE 1: | 3 |
| - Principles of Biblical Counseling | CNSLN 3203 | |
| - Theology of Worship | WORSP 4323 | |
| - Strategies for Disciple Making | EDMIN 3053 | |
| Contemporary Evangelism | EVANG 3303 | 3 |
| Introduction to Missiology | MISSN 3363 | 3 |
| Spiritual Formation 1 | SPFRM 3101 | 1 |
| Spiritual Formation 2 | SPFRM 3111 | 1 |
| COURSE TITLE | COURSE NUMBER | HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| Elective 1 | XXXX2 | 3 |
| Elective 2 | XXXX2 | 3 |
| Elective 3 | XXXX2 | 3 |
| Elective 4 | XXXX2 | 3 |
| Writing and Research | SWBTS 1300 | 0 |
Total Hours
82
- Female students complete WOMST courses as listed in lieu of the required PRCHG/PAMSN courses.
- Students seeking a concentration take specific courses in lieu of elective hours. See Master of Divinity Concentrations for details.
Provisional Admission
For experienced ministers who've not completed a bachelor's degree
- At least 30 years of age
- At least 1 year of undergraduate studies
- At least 3 years of ministry experience
- Submit a resume detailing ministry experience
If you qualify for provisional admission, then begin your application now, and indicate you are seeking provisional admission when prompted. Our Admissions Team will then communicate with you personally in order to obtain the necessary documentation.
How to Apply
Start your application here.
As part of the application, please include your pastor as a church endorsement recommender. Once you submit your application, a recommendation form will be emailed to your recommender for them to submit.
Official transcripts must be mailed or emailed by the academic institution to our Admissions Office. The quickest way for us to receive official transcripts is electronically through email. Our address is:
Southwestern Seminary
Attn: Admissions
2001 W Seminary Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76122
[email protected]
Once you have submitted the application, you will receive an email from a 3rd party company, [email protected] with instructions on how to initiate your background check.
Once all application requirements have been submitted, your application will enter the review process. We cannot supply an exact time frame for review, but we can assure you that our office works diligently to provide a decision as soon as possible.
The Office of Admissions will assist you in registering for classes, which can be done completely online.
Financial Aid Options
98% of qualified applicants receive financial aid at Southwestern Seminary, and the Office of Student Financial Services is committed to helping equip students with the resources and information they need to finance their education.
SBC Cooperative Program Discount
All incoming and current students at Southwestern Seminary and Texas Baptist College who are active members of a Southern Baptist Church are eligible for the SBC Cooperative Program discount.
This discount is in the form of a reduced tuition rate and no scholarship application is required. The reduced rate is based on church membership information submitted during the admissions process. After enrollment, the Registrar’s Office updates and maintains church membership information.
Designated Student Aid (DSA) refers to outside aid that is designated for a particular student. This aid can come from a variety of sources, such as churches, organizations, or individuals who desire to help students pay their tuition, fees, housing, etc. Since these donations are for a specific student, they are not tax-deductible.
Unless specified by the donor, DSA will be applied first to tuition and then to housing.
DSA must be received by the payment deadlines stated on the Student Financial Services webpage. Late fees will be assessed for payments received after these dates. Semester payment deadlines, along with payment plan due dates, can also be found on our Student Financial Services webpage here.
Student Loans
Loan Deferment
Southwestern does not participate in federal or state funded student aid programs, however, we are able to verify enrollment for students seeking to defer repayment of their federal or state educational loans received from other colleges and universities.
Deferment applications may be obtained from the lender and taken to the Office of the Registrar for processing. For more details, contact the Registrar’s Office at [email protected] or by calling 817-923-1921 x 2000.
Sallie Mae Loans
Although Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary does not participate in any Federal or State Loan programs, we do partner with a private loan company called Sallie Mae. Sallie Mae offers students two different private loan options:
Before a student applies for a Sallie Mae loan for the first time, they must schedule a meeting with the Office of Student Financial Services by emailing [email protected].
In this initial meeting, students will discuss loan basics, information particular to a Sallie Mae loan, and our process for loan disbursements. Students are encouraged to visit salliemae.com to familiarize themselves with Sallie Mae’s loans and processes.
If you have any other questions about student loans, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services at [email protected] or by phone at 817-921-8525.
Veterans Benefits
For more details, contact the Registrar’s Office at [email protected] or by calling 817.923-1921, ext. 2000.
Spousal Refund
A spouse of a full-time on-campus student may be eligible for a 50% tuition Reimbursement for fall and spring terms.
More details and eligibility requirements can be found on the spousal Reimbursement application. The application must be submitted prior to the first day of the term.
Got Questions?
We’re here to answer them.
Reach out to our Admissions Team and we’ll be in touch by phone, text, or email.