Graduate Divinity

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Graduate Programs and Requirements

Degrees
Master of Arts in Theological Studies (M.A.T.S.)
          Theological Studies (M.A.T.S.)  

Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
          Divinity (M.Div.)  

Certificates
Certificate of Anglican Studies
Certificate in Missions

Joint Degrees
Master of Arts in Theological Studies/Juris Doctor (M.A.T.S./J.D.)
Master of Arts in Theological Studies/Master of Social Work (M.A.T.S./M.S.W.)
Master of Divinity/Juris Doctor (M.Div./J.D.)
Master of Divinity/Master of Business Administration (M.Div./M.B.A.)
Master of Divinity/Master of Music (M.Div./M.M.)
Master of Divinity/Master of Science in Education (M.Div./M.S.E.)
Master of Divinity/Master of Social Work (M.Div./M.S.W.)

The Beeson School of Divinity offers two graduate programs: the master of arts in theological studies (M.A.T.S.) and the master of divinity (M.Div.). The school also offers two certificates that can be added to the M.Div. program: a certificate of Anglican studies and a certificate in missions. Additionally, the school offers several joint degrees in cooperation with other Samford schools/departments. Students seeking to enter a joint-degree program must meet admission requirements for both schools participating in the joint program. Please refer to the Beeson School of Divinity Bulletin for further information on all curricular listings.

For additional information, please contact the divinity school admissions office:

Director of Admission
Beeson School of Divinity
Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama 35229
Phone: (205) 726-2066 or 1-877-575-0595
Website: https://www.beesondivinity.com/ 

Master of Arts in Theological Studies (M.A.T.S.) and Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the master of arts in theological studies (M.A.T.S.) or the master of divinity (M.Div.) degree must complete the following checklist items by the application deadline (October 1 for spring admission; February 15 for fall admission):

1. Completed online application (https://graduateadmission.samford.edu/apply/) and payment of non-refundable $35 application fee (credit cards accepted). Note: The fee is not required for graduates of Samford University.
2. Personal Faith Narrative Essay.
3. Academic Essay on the topic of the Apostles’ Creed.
4. Academic Recommendation (to be completed by a college-level instructor).
5. Pastoral Recommendation (to be completed by the applicant’s senior pastor, other member of the pastoral staff, or campus minister; cannot be a family member).
6. Church Endorsement (to be completed by the governing body of the applicant’s church of membership).
   *This may be completed, if needed, by the same person who completes the pastoral recommendation form. However, please make the pastor aware he/she will need to complete both recommendation forms.
7. Admission Interview: Each applicant is responsible for scheduling an interview. Interviews must be completed prior to the application deadline. It is recommended that the interview be completed on campus, but if this is not possible, interviews conducted by phone or Skype are acceptable. Interviews can be scheduled by contacting Sharon Head at shead@samford.edu.
8. Official Transcript: Official transcript(s) from all undergraduate and (if applicable) graduate institutions previously attended should be mailed to:

Beeson School of Divinity
Office of Admission
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, Alabama 35229

Or, an official electronic transcript can be e-mailed to shead@samford.edu.

Please note that a final transcript also is required upon completion of the applicant’s undergraduate degree. Transcripts are considered official only when they bear the issuing institution’s seal and arrive with the seal intact.

International Students

The Beeson School of Divinity welcomes applications from international students.

Preliminary Evaluations

Prospective international students must complete and submit the following evaluations to the Beeson Divinity School Office of Admission before beginning the standard application process for admission.

• World Educational Service (WES): Official course-by-course transcript of academic work sent through World Educational Services.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Any applicant whose native language is not English must also submit a score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 80 (Internet-based) on the TOEFL. Students should arrange to take the TOEFL by visiting www.toefl.org or by writing to Educational Testing Service at P.O. Box 955, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Once the above material is completed, an international prospect may begin the standard application process by clicking on the “Apply Now” button on the Graduate Admission page (https://graduateadmission.samford.edu/apply/). Following an admission decision, the applicant will need to complete the Affidavit of Financial Support, including an official bank statement. The USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) requires proof of funds totaling approximately $30,000 (minus any scholarship assistance) in order for an I-20 to be processed; therefore it is recommended that funding is secured before the completion of the application process.
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*A note regarding student visas: The United States Information Agency’s insurance regulations for J visa holders require international students and their dependents to have and maintain health insurance during residency in the United States. Proof of coverage is required before registering for classes. The law mandates that Samford University must deny student status to international students who do not continue to comply. Information about specific carriers, minimum coverages, and premium costs is available from Samford University Health Services. Please contact the Office of Global Engagement for further information.

Certificate of Anglican Studies

A certificate of Anglican studies will be awarded to students who successfully complete at least 15 hours of their master of divinity (M.Div.) degree in courses that are either specifically Anglican in content or have a significant Anglican component. For more information contact Dr. Gerald McDermott, Anglican chair of divinity.

Certificate in Missions

A certificate in missions will be awarded to students who successfully complete at least 15 hours of their master of divinity (M.Div.) degree in courses dedicated to Christian missions (DVMS) and cross-cultural ministry (DVCC), as part of the 87-hour M.Div. degree. They will be required to spend a minimum of six consecutive weeks in the field, engaged in cross-cultural ministry. These students will also complete their supervised ministry practicum in a one-year training experience in the Birmingham area designed to provide training for cross-cultural missions. For more information contact the Global Center at Beeson Divinity School.

Joint-Degree Programs

Master of Arts in Theological Studies/Juris Doctor (M.A.T.S./J.D.)

The M.A.T.S./J.D. joint-degree program, offered in collaboration between the Beeson School of Divinity and the Cumberland School of Law, allows students to use credits from each school as part of the other school’s degree, thereby reducing the total number of hours for the two degrees combined.  Students must complete their first year of law school before beginning work in the divinity school.

Master of Arts in Theological Studies/Master of Social Work (M.A.T.S./M.S.W.)

The M.A.T.S./M.S.W. joint-degree program, offered in collaboration between the Beeson School of Divinity and the School of Public Health, allows students to use credits from each school as part of the other school’s degree, thereby reducing the total number of hours for the two degrees combined by 12. This 85-hour program takes approximately three years to complete. Students must complete at least 24 hours in the M.A.T.S. program before beginning work in the M.S.W. program. This requirement constitutes one year of full-time study in the Divinity School. Students must apply for admission to each school separately. This joint program will prepare students for ministry in settings that require theological training as well as knowledge and skills related to social service provision.

Master of Divinity/Juris Doctor (M.Div./J.D.)

The M.Div./J.D. joint-degree program, offered in collaboration between the Beeson School of Divinity and the Cumberland School of Law, allows students to use credits from each school as part of the other school’s degree, thereby reducing the total number of hours for the two degrees combined. Students must complete their first year of law school before beginning work in the divinity school.

Master of Divinity/Master of Business Administration (M.Div./M.B.A.)

The M.Div./M.B.A. joint-degree program, offered in collaboration between the Beeson School of Divinity and the Brock School of Business, allows students to use credits from each school as part of the other school’s degree, thereby reducing the total number of hours for the two degrees combined. The program is designed to enrich the educational opportunities available to students in the separate disciplines by encouraging interdisciplinary approaches to ministry preparation and organizational problems that directly impact churches and other religious institutions. Students interested in this joint program should apply to the School of Business for admission into the M.B.A. program at the conclusion of the first year of the M.Div. program.

Master of Divinity/Master of Music (M.Div./M.M.)

The M.Div./M.M. joint-degree program, offered in collaboration between the Beeson School of Divinity and with the School of the Arts, allows students to use credits from each school as part of the other school’s degree thereby reducing the total number of hours for the two degrees combined. Divinity students must qualify for admission to the M.M. program no later than the beginning of the third semester of M.Div. work.

Master of Divinity/Master of Science in Education (M.Div./M.S.E.)

The M.Div./M.S.E. joint-degree program, offered in collaboration between the Beeson School of Divinity and the Orlean Beeson School of Education allows students to use credits from each school as part of the other school’s degree, thereby reducing the total number of hours for the two degrees combined. Twelve credits of education-degree coursework are accepted as part of the elective requirement of the M.Div. degree. Crossover credit from the divinity degree to the education degree is determined on a case-by-case basis, as allowed within government regulations concerning teacher certification. Students normally are required to complete the first year of the M.Div. program before beginning work in the School of Education.

Master of Divinity/Master of Social Work (M.Div./M.S.W.)

The M.Div./M.S.W. joint-degree program, offered in collaboration between the Beeson School of Divinity and the School of Public Health, allows students to use credits from each school as part of the other school’s degree, thereby reducing the total number of hours for the two degrees combined by 18. In addition, students in the M.Div./M.S.W. program are eligible to complete the required internships for both programs simultaneously in an approved church or ministry setting. Although this option does not further lower the credit requirement for either program, it does allow students to save time by completing two internship requirements simultaneously. This 135-hour program takes four to five years to complete. Students must complete at least 24 hours in the M.Div. program before beginning work in the M.S.W. program. This requirement constitutes one year of full-time study in the Divinity School. Students must apply for admission to each school separately. This joint program will prepare students for ministry in settings that require extensive theological training as well as knowledge and skills related to social service provision.

Programs

• Divinity (M.Div.)
• Theological Studies (M.A.T.S.)

• Anglican Studies Certificate
• Missions Certificate

Courses

• DVBF 502 - Old Testament Theology (3)
• DVBF 503 - New Testament Theology (3)
• DVBF 504 - Biblical Theology (3)
• DVBF 521 - Special Topics in Biblical Foundations (3)

• DVCC 655 - Cross-Cultural Ministry Practicum (0-1)

• DVET 701 - Doctrine and Ethics (3)
• DVET 703 - The Ethics of Personhood (3)
• DVET 707 - Social Justice Ethics (3)
• DVET 711 - Racial Reconciliation (3)
• DVET 721 - Special Topics in Ethics (3)

• DVEV 500 - Evangelism and Church Planting (3)
• DVEV 504 - History and Principles of Spiritual Awakenings (3)
• DVEV 521 - Special Topics in Evangelism (3)

• DVHD 501 - Patristic History and Doctrine (3)
• DVHD 502 - Medieval and Reformation History and Doctrine (3)
• DVHD 601 - Reformation and Early Modern History and Doctrine (3)
• DVHD 602 - Later Modern History and Doctrine (3)
• DVHD 605 - Pastoral Theology (3)
• DVHD 606 - Ecclesiology and Worship (3)
• DVHD 651 - Introduction to Latin (3)
• DVHD 652 - Latin Syntax & Translation (3)
• DVHD 702 - Readings in Augustine (3)
• DVHD 703 - Calvin and the Reformed Tradition (3)
• DVHD 705 - History of Biblical Interpretation (3)
• DVHD 708 - Doctrine of the Trinity (3)
• DVHD 713 - Doctrine of God (3)
• DVHD 715 - Christology (3)
• DVHD 721 - Special Topics in History and Doctrine (3)
• DVHD 722 - Special Topics in History and Doctrine (3)

• DVML 551 - Clinical Pastoral Education I (1)
• DVML 651 - Clinical Pastoral Education II (2)
• DVML 701 - Supervised Ministry Practicum I (3)
• DVML 702 - Supervised Ministry Practicum II (3)
• DVML 751 - Clinical Pastoral Education (3)

• DVMS 500 - Introduction to Christian Missions (3)
• DVMS 503 - Biblical and Theological Perspectives on Missions (3)
• DVMS 504 - Historical Perspectives on Missions (3)
• DVMS 505 - Perspectives on Global Christianities (3)
• DVMS 506 - Contemporary Missions: Issues and Strategies (3)
• DVMS 651 - Introduction to Islam (3)

• DVNT 511 - Introduction to New Testament Greek (3)
• DVNT 512 - Greek Syntax and Translation (3)
• DVNT 616 - Greek Exegesis Practicum (3)
• DVNT 721 - Special Topics in New Testament (3)
• DVNT 722 - Special Topics in New Testament (3)
• DVNT 731 - Special Topics in New Testament Exegesis (3)
• DVNT 732 - Special Topics in New Testament Exegesis (3)

• DVOT 511 - Introduction to Biblical Hebrew (3)
• DVOT 512 - Hebrew Syntax and Translation (3)
• DVOT 607 - Women and the Bible (3)
• DVOT 616 - Hebrew Exegesis Practicum (3)
• DVOT 705 - Biblical Archaeology (3)
• DVOT 721 - Special Topics in Old Testament (3)
• DVOT 722 - Special Topics in Old Testament (3)
• DVOT 731 - Special Topics in Old Testament Exegesis (3)
• DVOT 732 - Special Topics in Old Testament Exegesis (3)

• DVPM 601 - Life and Work of the Pastor (3)
• DVPM 701 - Pastoral Care and Counseling (3)
• DVPM 702 - Marriage and Family Counseling (3)
• DVPM 703 - Crisis, Trauma, and Grief Counseling (3)
• DVPM 721 - Special Topics in Pastoral Ministry (3)

• DVPH 705 - Introduction to Apologetics (3)

• DVPR 601 - Christian Preaching (3)
• DVPR 602 - Preaching Practicum (3)
• DVPR 607 - Expository Preaching (3)
• DVPR 609 - Doctrinal Preaching (3)
• DVPR 721 - Special Topics in Preaching (3)

• DVSF 501 - Spiritual Formation (3)
• DVSF 601 - Early Christian Spirituality (3)
• DVSF 603 - African American Spirituality (3)
• DVSF 609 - C.S. Lewis: Apostle to the Skeptics (3)
• DVSF 621 - Special Topics in Spiritual Formation (3)
• DVSF 622 - Special Topics in Spiritual Formation (3)

• DVTH 701 - Faith and Vocation (1)
• DVTH 741 - Directed Study (3)
• DVTH 798 - Master’s Thesis (3)
• DVTH 799 - Master’s Thesis (3)