Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree at Truett Seminary intends to provide graduate theological education that is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ and consistent with historic Baptist commitments to prepare persons to carry this gospel to the churches and the world.

Four Components of the Master of Divinity Degree

Specified Courses
Completion of all required courses and semester hours as described here.

Life Long Learning
As a Truett Seminary student you will cultivate lifelong learning habits so you can continually sharpen your skills after your time at seminary is complete. An important component of your Truett education is the experiences you will gain at conferences, seminars and workshops outside the seminary that will expose you to the cutting edge of ministry concerns as they take shape.

Mentoring
The mentoring program at Truett Seminary is an "apprenticeship" or "internship" program whereby the student is assigned to a ministry setting for the purpose of receiving hands-on experience and guidance in the day-to-day functions of ministry. The goal of the mentoring in ministry program is to provide the seminary students with an intensive, four-to eight-month experience, under the tutelage and supervision of a trusted mentor, which will enable the student to become acquainted with the actual tasks and functions of ministry.

Covenant Groups/Spiritual Formation
Truett Seminary students must complete six semesters of participation in a spiritual formation or covenant group before graduating. Groups will meet on a regular basis and will be given readings and assignments associated with issues of spiritual formation. The focus of these groups will be growth in self-discovery, the practice of spiritual disciplines, worship, and discussion, all for the purpose of cultivating the kind of character, integrity, relational skills, and spiritual resources requisite for life in Christian ministry.

The Basics of Theological Education
A collection of basic theological questions students should be able to answer upon completion of their M.Div degree.

Primary Goals of the Program

The M.Div program seeks to achieve holistic student development by equipping students through theological biblical reflection, spiritual formation, lifelong learning, ministry service, and cross-cultural sensitivity. The curriculum is competency-based and thus strives to produce students who achieve competency in seven basic areas:

Christian Scriptures and Theology
Students will be able to draw and reflect upon Scripture and the classical and contemporary literature of the Church to inform and empower Christian life, thought, and ministry.

Evangelism and Global Missions
Students will be able to model for the congregation a global awareness and passion for leading persons to faith in Christ by proclaiming and applying the Gospel message to the holistic needs of people in diverse cultural settings.

Leadership and Administration
Students will be able to equip others for ministry by demonstrating servant leadership skills consistent with the New Testament emphasis on the church as the body of Christ and the historic Baptist vision of congregational life.

Lifelong Learning
Students will value lifelong learning and be able to discover the resources for ongoing ministry enhancement.

Nurture and Care of Souls
Students will be able to recognize God in the circumstances of life, to cultivate this awareness in others, and to nurture souls through an integrated set of pastoral skills rooted in Scripture and the psychological and spiritual disciplines.

Preaching and Worship
Students will be able to lead the congregation in the genuine worship of God and communicate God's Word humbly and persuasively within the church and the world.

Spiritual Formation
Students will experience the Christ-centered life through the practice of spiritual disciplines toward a growing desire for the knowledge of God's will for their lives and ministry.