Master of Divinity

COMPREHENSIVE PREPARATION FOR A LIFETIME OF FAITHFULNESS

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Program Snapshot

84 Credit Hours 28 Classes
3 Years to Complete
$310 Per Credit Hour Learn more
On Campus
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Next Start Date June 2
Explore M.Div. Options

Southern Seminary's Master of Divinity is the best way to prepare for ministry. Our M.Div. will equip you to know the Bible, deepen your theology, and serve Christ, wherever he may call you.

You will learn from a faculty who lead as scholars in the academy and serve as ministers in the church. Our faculty equips students with the knowledge, skill, and character necessary for effective public, personal, and evangelistic ministry.

The M.Div. is for pastors and missionaries, counselors and educators, worship leaders and ministers, and all who aspire to a lifetime of faithfulness.

3 Reasons to Study the M.Div.

at Southern Seminary

1

Our Trusted Faculty

Southern’s world-renowned faculty are brilliant scholars, experienced pastors, and seasoned theologians with hundreds of years of experience teaching and preparing ministers of the gospel. Among all the considerations for selecting ministry training, one stands above the rest: choose a faculty.

2

Comprehensive and Effective Curriculum

Southern Seminary’s M.Div. program is comprehensive and effective, providing you with the knowledge and skills you need for a faithful and impactful ministry. With 63 hours devoted to core of Bible, theology & ministry studies, Southern prepares you to be the theologically prepared pastor, leader, counselor, or teacher the Church needs.

3

Our Confessional Community

Southern Seminary is a community of faith and learning, and with over 13,000 graduates in the last 30 years, the Southern community is unlike any other. You will build relationships that will support and encourage you as a student and throughout your lifetime of faithful ministry.

The simplified M.Div.

Biblical Studies

21 Credit Hours

9 Language & Interpretation

6 Old Testament

6 New Testament

Theological Studies

21 Credit Hours

9 Theology

6 Church History

6 Ethics and Apologetics

Practical Studies

21 Credit Hours

9 Preaching & Public Ministry

6 Personal Ministry

6 Evangelistic Ministry

21 Credit Hours of Electives across all Disciplines

These 21 hours may be used to pursue Graduate Certificates or electives of interest

view the full M.Div. curriculum

Graduate Certificates

Students pursuing the Southern M.Div. may also seek multiple Graduate Certificates using their elective hours.

Click on a Graduate Certificate to learn more.

*Graduate Certificate available online.

**Standard and Advanced Graduate Certificate available online.

Advanced Master of Divinity

Students with a robust selection of bible or theology courses in their bachelor’s program, or graduates of Boyce College are invited to consider the Advanced M.Div.

Learn more

MDiv + MBA Program

Obtain a valuable ministry and marketplace degree through a transfer agreement with Southern Seminary and Union University.

Learn more


Study in Louisville and Save

Residential M.Div. students now pay only for the first 9 hours per semester and may take up to 15 hours at no additional cost. Students can now save up to 40% on tuition by completing their courses in person.

The Residential M.Div. Tuition Reduction may not be combined with other SBTS tuition reductions. If you have any questions regarding your expected tuition cost, please contact Admissions at admissions@sbts.edu.

Calculate Your Tuition

Prepared to Lead

Southern’s M.Div. provides the foundation for ministry.

View upcoming courses, course descriptions, and faculty on our Public Course List.

view public course list
Biblical Studies
Course Number Description Credit Hours
22400 Beginning Greek 3
20400 Beginning Hebrew 3
22100 Biblical Hermeneutics1 or 3
22440 Introduction to Greek Exegesis: 1 John1 or
20440 Introduction to Hebrew Exegesis: Ruth1
20200 Introduction to the Old Testament I 3
20220 Introduction to the Old Testament II 3
22200 Introduction to the New Testament I 3
22220 Introduction to the New Testament II 3
21
Theological Studies
Course Number Description Credit Hours
27060 Systematic Theology I: Theological Prolegomena, and the Nature and Works of God 3
27070 Systematic Theology II: Christ, Salvation, and the Holy Spirit 3
27080 Systematic Theology III: Baptist Theology of Scripture and the Church, and Eschatology 3
25100 Introduction to Church History I 3
25120 Introduction to Church History II 3
29250 Survey of Christian Ethics 3
28700 Christian Apologetics 3
21
Practical Studies
Course Number Description Credit Hours
30000 Christian Preaching2 or 3
45400 Christian Teaching
30020 Preaching Practicum2 or 3
40200 Introduction to Biblical Worship
40080 Christian Leadership 3
34300 Biblical Counseling & Personal Ministry of the Word 3
40301 Pastoral Ministry6 or 3
45260 Discipleship Ministry
32100 Personal Evangelism & Devotion 3
32960 Introduction to Missiology 3
21
Electives
Course Number Description Credit Hours
Electives Across All Disciplines3 21
21
Cooperative Program
Course Number Description Credit Hours
42490 The Cooperative Program4 (2)
0

Total Master of Divinity: 84

  1. Students will choose between 22100, 22440, and 20440. Note that elementary language must be taken before a syntax.
  2. 30000, 30020, and 40301 are reserved for men.
  3. Students may pursue Graduate Certificates using elective hours.
  4. The Cooperative Program Course is a (one-time) non-curricular requirement. Students should enroll in the class during their first year of study.
  5. Students will complete the Supervised Ministry Experience (SME) requirement as a part of the 40301 Pastoral Ministry or 45260 Discipleship Ministry course. See the FAQs for more information.
  6. See notes 2 and 5.

Learning Outcomes

Southern’s M.Div. prepares you for a lifetime of faithfulness by equipping you with the knowledge, skills, and character to serve the church and advance the gospel around the world.

  • Students will be able to demonstrate a growing, Christlike character and a sense of God’s calling to ministry.
  • Students will be able to understand the Christian worldview and have a global vision for fulfilling the Great Commission.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate significant knowledge of the Bible, interpret Scripture’s original meaning, and apply Scripture to contemporary situations.
  • Students will be able to display a biblical vision for ministry and lead with humble authority.
  • Students will be able to preach/teach Scripture clearly and passionately so as to engage the mind and move the heart.

A Faculty You Can Trust

Learn from renowned scholars and church leaders who are committed to faithfully teaching God’s Word.

Meet the Faculty

Are you ready to become a pastor, counselor, or church leader who is Trusted for Truth?

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