Divinity (Graduate)

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Graduate Programs and Requirements

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

Certificates (optional within the M.Div program)
Anglican Studies  
Missions  

Accelerated Bachelor-to-Graduate Pathway Program
Fast-Track Master of Divinity (B.A./M.Div.) with a B.A. in selected majors:
     Biblical Studies, Christian Ministry, Religion, and Religion with a Ministry Leadership concentration

Joint Degree Pathway Programs
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.)
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Beeson Divinity School offers the master of arts in theological studies (M.A.T.S.) and the master of divinity (M.Div.). Students in the M.Div. program may also opt to complete requirements for a certificate of Anglican studies and a certificate in missions.

The divinity school also offers a special bachelor-to-graduate pathway program (aka Fast-Track) for highly qualified students in select majors at Samford University.

Additionally, the school offers several joint degree pathway programs in cooperation with other Samford schools/departments: a M.A.T.S. or M.Div. combined with the juris doctor (J.D.) or master of social work (M.S.W.); and an M.Div. combined with the master of business administration (M.B.A.), master of music (M.M.), or a master of science in education (M.S.E.). Some credit sharing is allowed and overall credits of the combined programs are reduced.

Please refer to the Beeson Divinity School Catalog 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 1-800-888-8266
Website: https://www.beesondivinity.com/ 

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

Beeson Divinity School of Samford University admits qualified men and women of any Christian denomination, race, color, and national or ethnic origin, without regard to physical disability. The decision to admit a student rests with the admission committee, appointed by the associate dean of the divinity school. The admission committee selects each entering class from applicants whose prior academic performance gives the strongest promise of success in the chosen degree program and whose application data and interview indicate the most promise of effective leadership in Christian ministry and compatibility with the community and spiritual life of the divinity school. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to enrolling in the program.

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 may be conducted by video conference. Interviews can be scheduled by contacting the Office of Admission.
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 jyoung@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

For international application requirements, please visit beesondivinity.com/application-process. Visit beesondivinity.com/admission and click on “Apply Now” to access the online application.

Transfer Credit

Beeson Divinity School accepts transfer credits earned at accredited graduate institutions prior to admission. Once accepted, students who desire a transfer credit evaluation should submit a letter requesting evaluation to the associate dean, along with official copies of transcripts to be evaluated and a syllabus for each course to be evaluated. No online or correspondence credit will be accepted, though students with such credits may be considered for advanced standing.

Beeson Divinity School will accept for transfer from another accredited theological school no more than one-third of the credits required for a master’s degree. All transfer credits must be applied before beginning work at Beeson Divinity School. The exact allowance of transfer credit is determined on an individual basis. Up to nine (9) hours of course work may be completed at another institution after the student has begun work at Beeson Divinity School. Non-seminary graduate courses taken before enrollment in Beeson Divinity School may be considered for possible transfer credit provided the courses were taken within three years and can be viewed reasonably as contributing to the development of an M.Div. or M.A.T.S. degree program. Such transfer credit will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Normally, no more than twelve (12) semester credits for non-seminary graduate courses will be granted toward an M.Div. degree or six (6) credits toward a M.A.T.S. degree.

For course work to be eligible for transfer, a student must have received a B- or above in the course. No less than two-thirds of the required credits of study for a degree must be completed in residence at Beeson Divinity School after the student has transferred all relevant previously earned credits. All decisions on transfer credits are made by the associate dean.

Progression Policies

Students who have attempted nine (9) or more semester credits must maintain a grade point average of 2.00. Regardless of a student’s cumulative grade point average, failure to achieve a 2.00 grade point average in any semester will result in a student being placed on probation. Regardless of a student’s cumulative grade point average, failure to achieve a 2.00 grade point average in a second consecutive semester will result in that student being required to withdraw. Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.00 in two consecutive semesters will be required to withdraw even if their semester grade point average has not fallen below 2.00 in two consecutive semesters.

A student who has been required to withdraw will not be eligible to apply for readmission until one full semester has elapsed. Summer and Spring Interterm will not count as a semester for this purpose. During the time a student is required to withdraw, credit earned at another institution will not be accepted for credit toward requirements for graduation from Beeson Divinity School. Readmission is not automatic. Applications for readmission must be made to the Office of Admission for consideration by the admission committee by October 1 for spring readmission and February 15 for fall readmission.

Accelerated Bachelor-to-Graduate Pathway Program

Fast-Track Master of Divinity

Beeson Divinity School, in cooperation with the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies in Samford’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences and with the Department of Christian Ministry in Samford’s School of the Arts, offers exceptional students the opportunity to complete the bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree and the master of divinity (M.Div.) degree in a minimum of six years of full-time study rather than the typical minimum of seven years. This program of study is available only to students majoring in biblical studies, religion, religion w/a concentration in ministry leadership (in the Howard College of Arts and Sciences) and Christian ministry (in the School of the Arts).

Students interested in the accelerated B.A. to M.Div. program should seek guidance from their advisor as early as possible in their undergraduate studies. The undergraduate program of study requires completion of all university core curriculum courses, all general education requirements, and all courses required for the undergraduate major (96-98 credit hours total). Upon completion of the first 64 credit hours of undergraduate studies (or one year prior to the term in which a student wishes to begin graduate theological studies), he or she must apply for admission to the M.Div. program at Beeson Divinity School. Offers of admission are extended to applicants who demonstrate exceptional personal and spiritual maturity, a clear call and commitment to vocational Christian ministry, and strong academic performance in their undergraduate studies. If accepted, a student must complete all remaining undergraduate coursework and participate in a co-curricular program of spiritual and vocational mentoring before beginning M.Div. studies at Beeson Divinity School.

Graduate Divinity Certificates

Certificate of Anglican Studies

Students in the master of divinity (M.Div.) program preparing for service in the Anglican communion may choose to pursue a certificate of Anglican studies. The required M.Div. course DVET 701  is replaced with Anglican History and Doctrine (3) and the required M.Div. course DVHD 606  is replaced with Anglican Sacraments and Worship (3). Students must also complete the 6-hour supervised ministry practicum in an Anglican parish. For more information, please contact the director of the Institute of Anglican Studies.

Certificate in Missions

Students in the master of divinity (M.Div.) program may choose to pursue a certificate in missions. Six (6) of the 12 elective credits required for the M.Div. degree must include: Contemporary Issues and Strategies in Missions (3) and World Religions (3). Students must also complete the 6-hour supervised ministry practicum, engaging in cross-cultural ministry in the Birmingham area, and a cross-cultural ministry practicum of no less than six weeks outside the Birmingham area. For more information contact the Global Center at Beeson Divinity School.

Joint Degree Pathway 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 Divinity School 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. This 109-hour program takes apporximately five years to complete. 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 Divinity School and the School of Public Health, allows students to use credits from each school as part of the other school’s degree, thereby reducing by 12 the total number of hours for the two degrees combined. 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 Divinity School 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. This 150-hour program takes approximately six years to complete. 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 Divinity School 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. This 108-117-hour program takes approximately five years to complete. Students interested in this joint program should apply to the Business School 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 Divinity School 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. This 108-hour program takes approximately five years to complete. 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 Divinity School 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 Divinity School and the School of Public Health, allows students to use credits from each school as part of the other school’s degree, thereby reducing by 18 the total number of hours for the two degrees combined. 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)

• DVET 701 - Doctrine and 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 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 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)