United Theological Seminary

Master of Divinity in Religion and Theology

The Master of Divinity in Religion and Theology program will prepare you for doctoral work in religion and theology (particularly doctoral programs that require the MDiv) or to become a pastor, minister, or religious leader with a ministerial focus on religious or theological education. You will be trained for ordained ministry or other religious leadership positions while being grounded in the academic study of religion and theology.

If you know that you will not be pursuing doctoral or ministerial work that requires a Master of Divinity degree, you may wish to explore the MA in Religion and Theology.

This degree program may be a good fit for you if you plan to pursue ordained ministry as:

  • A professor in a seminary, divinity school or college
  • A teaching pastor or resident theologian whose ministry is focused on the theological life and/or educational programming of a congregation or religious community

UNITED’S MDIV AT A GLANCE

  • 72 credits
  • Twenty-four 3-credit courses, including one field experience
  • Final thesis or project not required, but you can use an elective to pursue either
  • Can be completed in three years if you take a full-time course load (24 credits per year)
  • Most concentrations, including Religion and Theology, can be completed entirely via distance learning

Program Guide Sheet

LEARNING OUTCOME
 NUMBER OF COURSES
 COURSES
Formation 2 Intro to Spiritual and Personal Formation

Organizational Leadership and Administration
Religious Texts 4 Hebrew Bible 1: Orientation

Hebrew Bible 2: Contextualized Interpretation

New Testament 1: Epistles, Acts, and Revelation

New Testament 2: Four Gospels
Theological Tradition 4 Religious and Theological Interpretation

History of Christian Theologies

History of Modern Theologies

Constructive Theology
Ethics/Justice 2 Choose two:

  • Christian Ethics
  • Comparative Religious Ethics
  • Theology for Social Transformation
Cultural Contextualization 1 Choose one:

  • World Religions
  • Global Christianities
Arts and Theology 1 Choose one:

  • History of Arts and Theology
  • Theological Interpretation of the Arts
Social Transformation 1 Leadership and Strategies for Social Change
Integration 1 Capstone Seminar
CORE SUBTOTAL
 16
Vocational Contextualization & Skills 8 What is Religion?

Preaching and Your Public Voice

Faith Formation

Two Theology/Religion Electives

Two Electives*

Choose one:

  • Church Internship
  • Ministry Practicum
  • CPE Ministry Practicum**
CONCENTRATION SUBTOTAL
 8
DEGREE TOTAL
 24

* A Thesis may be substituted for 1 or 2 general electives.

** Although not specifically required for degree completion, Interreligious Pastoral and Spiritual Care must be completed to be eligible for CPE registration.

 

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