The Master of Divinity (MDIV) is a 76-credit hour degree requiring a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 8 years for completion. The MDIV is a professional degree designed for men and women with a bachelor’s degree who serve or desire to serve in such roles as ordained pastor, career missionary, or chaplain. In this degree program, you develop competencies in Biblical studies, church history, theology, pastoral care, counseling, and preaching/teaching. The curriculum may be completed in three years, although many students take longer due to family, church, and job responsibilities.
MDIV Program Objectives
The objectives of the Master of Divinity degree program are as follows.
- Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the nature and content of the Bible, a working methodology for biblical study and interpretation, and a clear formulation and personal integration of the student’s own understanding of the message of the Bible. (MDIV-1)
- Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the central doctrines of Christianity and of the historical models that have been used to articulate and apply them. Students will be able to formulate theological and ethical concepts in light of the heritage of the whole church and to apply these concepts in contemporary life situations. (MDIV-2)
- Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of Christian ministry founded on biblical mandates, informed by the church’s heritage and relevant to its present circumstances. (MDIV-3)
- Graduates will demonstrate a commitment to a lifelong, intentional process of spiritual development and professional growth. (MDIV-4)
- Graduates will demonstrate growth in areas related to God’s personal call that require further development. (MDIV-5)
A summative evaluation of learning in the form of the development of a portfolio is also used to evaluate the accomplishment of program objectives. (MDIV-P)
Master of Divinity Degree – 76 Hours
The following 19 courses are taken in the completion of the Master of Divinity degree.
| Required Master of Divinity (MDIV) Courses | Credit Hours |
| R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) | 4 |
| W5401 Theology & Practice of Worship | 4 |
| E5401 Theology & Practice of Evangelism | 4 |
| F5401 Theology & Practice of Fellowship | 4 |
| D5401 Theology & Practice of Discipleship | 4 |
| M5401 Theology & Practice of Ministry | 4 |
| W5403 Preaching/Teaching for Life Change | 4 |
| D5451 New Testament Survey | 4 |
| D5461 Old Testament Survey | 4 |
| D6451 Church History I | 4 |
| D6452 Church History II | 4 |
| D6461 Christian Worldview and Theology | 4 |
| D5471 Bible Language Tools | 4 |
| D5403 Interpreting the Bible | 4 |
| R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) | 4 |
| R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) | 4 |
| Required Elective Courses – Choose Three (12 Hours) | Credit Hours |
| E5403 Contemporary Evangelism | 4 |
| E6404 Understanding Other Cultures | 4 |
| E6407 Introduction to Church Planting | 4 |
| F5402 Building a Small Group Ministry | 4 |
| F6404 Personal Counseling Skills | 4 |
| D5402 Practicing the Spiritual Disciplines | 4 |
| M5402 Lead Like Jesus | 4 |
| M6405 Building an Effective Ministry Team | 4 |
| M6409 Recovery Ministry | 4 |
| M6410 Pastoral Care | 4 |
MDIV Level Courses in Recovery Ministry Studies
Students holding an undergraduate degree who seek to take engage only in Recovery Ministry studies and not the full Master of Divinity (MDIV) degree can take the following courses.
| Recovery Ministry Courses | Credit Hours |
| R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) | 4 |
| F6404 Personal Counseling Skills | 4 |
| M5402 Lead Like Jesus | 4 |
| M6405 Building an Effective Ministry Team | 4 |
| M6409 Recovery Ministry | 4 |
MDIV students can take these Recovery Ministry courses as electives. R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) is already counted as the first course in the MDIV degree program and therefore is not considered to be an elective.
MDIV Graduation Requirements
To graduate with the Master of Divinity degree you must have completed the following:
- the 76 credit hours of the degree program
- a passing grade of “B” (3.0) or higher in every course counted toward the 76 credit hours
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
MDIV Course Notional Hours of Learning
To be successful in online learning, it is very important to invest sufficient time toward your learning. Though your personal study time will likely vary each week, the volume of learning in meeting all of the course objectives and completing the course is typically as follows.
Academic Engagement – 60 hours per course
Reading classroom materials, linked websites, and handouts
Viewing classroom audio and video media and linked media
Interacting with fellow students and the professor in discussion forums
Completing surveys, quizzes, exams, and other assessments
Academic Preparation – 120 hours per course
Reading textbooks for comprehension
Writing reports, developing projects, completing assignments, studying for exams
Interacting with mentor about course learning on a weekly basis
Practicing learning in current ministry context
Total Notional Hours – 180 hours per course
Course Copyright Restrictions
All course content, i.e., courseware materials in the classroom, the design of online learning, chat room and discussion forum postings, and any attached files are strictly for the use of Rockbridge Seminary students registered in the course. Course content and materials may be reproduced and used by students in the practice of ministry, assuming proper credit is given to the sources. Student discussion and chat room postings are strictly confidential and may not be copied or distributed apart for the normal learning process as directed by this course.
Academic Calendar
Please see the Rockbridge calendar of significant dates found under Academic Calendar appearing later in this Catalog.
Master of Divinity (MDIV) Worksheet
19 Courses – 76 semester credit hours – 4 hours per course
| √ | Required First Course | Term | Grade |
| R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) | |||
| √ | Required Core Courses | Term | Grade |
| W5401 Theology & Practice of Worship | |||
| E5401 Theology & Practice of Evangelism | |||
| F5401 Theology & Practice of Fellowship | |||
| D5401 Theology & Practice of Discipleship | |||
| M5401 Theology & Practice of Ministry | |||
| √ | Required Additional Courses | Term | Grade |
| W5403 Preaching/Teaching for Life Change | |||
| D5403 Interpreting the Bible | |||
| D5451 New Testament Survey | |||
| D5461 Old Testament Survey | |||
| D5471 Bible Language Tools | |||
| D6451 Church History I | |||
| D6452 Church History II | |||
| D6461 Christian Worldview and Theology | |||
| √ | Elective Courses – Choose Three (12 Hours) | Term | Grade |
| E5403 Contemporary Evangelism | |||
| E6404 Understanding Other Cultures | |||
| E6407 Introduction to Church Planting | |||
| F5402 Building a Small Group Ministry | |||
| F6404 Personal Counseling Skills | |||
| D5402 Practicing the Spiritual Disciplines | |||
| M5402 Lead Like Jesus | |||
| M6405 Building an Effective Ministry Team | |||
| M6409 Recovery Ministry | |||
| M6410 Pastoral Care | |||
| √ | Required Last Courses | Term | Grade |
| R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) | |||
| R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) |
An electronic copy of the Master of Divinity Program Worksheet is also available online.
Master of Divinity Course Schedule
You may register for up to two (2) courses per term, with the exception of the term in which the Touchstone or Capstone course is taken. Your Proficiency Portfolio must pass a review before you are permitted to register for the Capstone course. Rockbridge Seminary reserves the right to change a course schedule without notice. Please see the Academic Calendar for the start dates for the terms in the course schedule.
2020 – 2021
| Fall 2020-T5 | Fall 2020-T6 |
| D6451 Church History I
E5401 Theology & Practice of Evangelism E5403 Contemporary Evangelism M6405 Building an Effective Ministry Team R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) |
D5403 Interpreting the Bible
D6452 Church History II F5402 Building a Small Group Ministry F6404 Personal Counseling Skills R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) W5401 Theology & Practice of Worship |
| Spring 2021-T1 | Spring 2021-T2 |
| D5402 Practicing the Spiritual Disciplines
D5451 New Testament Survey E6404 Understanding Other Cultures E6407 Introduction to Church Planting F5401 Theology & Practice of Fellowship R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) W5403 Preaching/Teaching for Life Change |
D5401 Theology & Practice of Discipleship
D5461 Old Testament Survey D5471 Bible Language Tools D6461 Christian Worldview and Theology M5402 Lead Like Jesus R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) |
| Summer 2021-T3 | Summer 2021-T4 |
| D6451 Church History I
M5401 Theology & Practice of Ministry M6409 Recovery Ministry M6410 Pastoral Care R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) |
D5403 Interpreting the Bible
D6452 Church History II E5401 Theology & Practice of Evangelism R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) |
2021 – 2022
| Fall 2021-T5 | Fall 2021-T6 |
| D5451 New Testament Survey
E5403 Contemporary Evangelism M6405 Building an Effective Ministry Team R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) W5401 Theology & Practice of Worship W5403 Preaching/Teaching for Life Change |
D5461 Old Testament Survey
D5471 Bible Language Tools D6461 Christian Worldview and Theology E6407 Introduction to Church Planting F5401 Theology & Practice of Fellowship F5402 Building a Small Group Ministry F6404 Personal Counseling Skills R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) |
| Spring 2022-T1 | Spring 2022-T2 |
| D5401 Theology & Practice of Discipleship
D5402 Practicing the Spiritual Disciplines D6451 Church History I E6404 Understanding Other Cultures M6409 Recovery Ministry R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) |
D5403 Interpreting the Bible
D6452 Church History II M5401 Theology & Practice of Ministry M5402 Lead Like Jesus R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) |
| Summer 2022-T3 | Summer 2022-T4 |
| D5451 New Testament Survey
E5401 Theology & Practice of Evangelism M6409 Recovery Ministry R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) W5403 Preaching/Teaching for Life Change |
D5461 Old Testament Survey
D5471 Bible Language Tools D6461 Christian Worldview and Theology R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) W5401 Theology & Practice of Worship |
2022 – 2023
| Fall 2022-T5 | Fall 2022-T6 |
| D6451 Church History I
E5403 Contemporary Evangelism E6407 Introduction to Church Planting F5401 Theology & Practice of Fellowship M6405 Building an Effective Ministry Team R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) |
D5401 Theology & Practice of Discipleship
D5403 Interpreting the Bible D6452 Church History II F5402 Building a Small Group Ministry F6404 Personal Counseling Skills R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) |
| Spring 2023-T1 | Spring 2023-T2 |
| D5402 Practicing the Spiritual Disciplines
D5451 New Testament Survey E6404 Understanding Other Cultures M5401 Theology & Practice of Ministry M6410 Pastoral Care R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) W5403 Preaching/Teaching for Life Change |
D5461 Old Testament Survey
D5471 Bible Language Tools D6461 Christian Worldview and Theology E5401 Theology & Practice of Evangelism M5402 Lead Like Jesus R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) |
| Summer 2023-T3 | Summer 2023-T4 |
| D6451 Church History I
M6409 Recovery Ministry R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) W5401 Theology & Practice of Worship |
D5403 Interpreting the Bible
D6452 Church History II E6407 Introduction to Church Planting F5401 Theology & Practice of Fellowship R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) |
2023 – 2024
| Fall 2023-T5 | Fall 2023-T6 |
| D5401 Theology & Practice of Discipleship
D5451 New Testament Survey E5403 Contemporary Evangelism M6405 Building an Effective Ministry Team R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) W5403 Preaching/Teaching for Life Change |
D5461 Old Testament Survey
D5471 Bible Language Tools D6461 Christian Worldview and Theology F5402 Building a Small Group Ministry F6404 Personal Counseling Skills M5401 Theology & Practice of Ministry R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) |
| Spring 2024-T1 | Spring 2024-T2 |
| D5402 Practicing the Spiritual Disciplines
D6451 Church History E5401 Theology & Practice of Evangelism E6404 Understanding Other Cultures R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) |
D5403 Interpreting the Bible
D6452 Church History II M5402 Lead Like Jesus R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) R6400 Practicing the Focused Life (Capstone) W5401 Theology & Practice of Worship |
| Summer 2024-T3 | Summer 2024-T4 |
| D5451 New Testament Survey
E6407 Introduction to Church Planting F5401 Theology & Practice of Fellowship M6409 Recovery Ministry R5400 Developing the Focused Life (Touchstone) R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) W5403 Preaching/Teaching for Life Change |
D5401 Theology & Practice of Discipleship
D5461 Old Testament Survey D5471 Bible Language Tools D6461 Christian Worldview and Theology R5403 Ministry Proficiency Portfolio (Milestone) |