Master of Divinity (MDiv)

The MDiv program is designed to be rooted in the student’s primary community.  Foundational to Carey’s philosophy of learning and ministry is the conviction that preparation for ministry is most effective when located in the local church and in relationship with the neighbourhood and the world.  The educational philosophy of the College affirms the willingness to continue to grow and learn in one’s own place of life and ministry.

The MDiv program seeks a common set of graduate capacities: biblical knowledge, theological understanding, knowledge of the Christian heritage, personal and relationship maturity, spiritual formation, prophetic and priestly orientation, and congregational and community leadership. 

The Master of Divinity program offers an optional concentration (4 courses) in North American Chinese Church Ministries (NACCM). Sixty credits are earned from the regular program course list and 12 credits are particular to the NACCM. 

道學碩士課程同時提供主修北美華人教會事工之選擇。北美華人教會事工主修的學制為六十學分核心科目及十二學分北美華人教會事工主修科目。

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Courses in the MDiv

Admission/Degree Requirements & Regulations

Course Requirements & Sequencing

Graduate Studies Orientation

Affirmation For Ministry

Schedule of Courses and Description

Application Forms

Take a look at the upcoming MDiv courses.

See MDiv Tuition & Fees

Courses in the MDiv

15 On-Line Courses + 8 Modular Courses taken on Campus = total of 72 credit hours

• Recognition as a "Ministerial Student" (as well as validation for assistance from student aid funds)
• Entering into the Graduate Internship Program
• Becoming a candidate for ordination 

Admission/Degree Requirements & Regulations (MDiv)

Admission will be granted to those persons who fulfill the following requirements:

1. A recognized Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
2. A letter of affirmation from the church where the applicant is a member
3. A minimum of B- average (2.70 GPA) in undergraduate studies
4. A completed application form submitted to the Office of the Registrar with application fee and prospectus. A current personal photograph is requested but is not required. 
5. Two completed personal confidential reference forms, one of which must be from the pastor of the church in which the applicant is a member, sent directly to the college.  If the applicant is a pastor, then a letter from a denominational or congregational leader will be suitable.
6. Official transcripts from all schools attended or a notarized letter accompanying a copy of the original transcript must be submitted.
7. The applicant must be perceived to be mature in character, showing an aptitude for ministry.
8. A limited number of students who are older than the age of 30 years, and who do not possess an undergraduate degree to meet the academic requirements of the MDIV program may be granted admission as a Mature Student. Admission is dependent upon a detailed Prior Learning Assessment of the applicant’s knowledge, Christian service, life experience, and capacity for theological study at the graduate level.
9. As with Provisional Students, an assessment of the academic work of Mature Students will be conducted by the Admissions Committee following the completion of 15 credit hours (5 foundational courses) which will lead to either full admission into the program or denial of access to further studies at Carey.
10. Applicants whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory results in an approved language test (TOEFL, available from Education Testing Service, www.ets.org]. Carey’s TOEFL number is 5981.

Degree Requirements

In order to be eligible for the Master of Divinity degree, a candidate must have completed the following requirements:

1. 72 credit hours of study under the supervision of the Registrar
2. All assignments successfully completed
3. All courses credited to the degree of Master of Divinity from other colleges, schools, seminaries and training programs approved with official transcripts
4. Maintained a 2.70 GPA (B-) minimum
5. All due accounts with Carey Theological College paid in full
6. Attendance and participation at the MDiv Graduate Studies Orientation

Regulations

1. Normally a maximum of 24 credit hours may be transferred from another college or educational institution, if the courses are relevant to the intent of the Master of Divinity. Requests for transfer of credits previously earned from other institutions must be made at the time of application to the program.
2. A maximum of 18 credit hours of guided study programs may be completed for credit.  Subject to the approval of the Registrar, a student may register up to a maximum of three guided study courses in any one term. (There are three terms per academic year.) Note that required courses will not be offered in the form of guided studies.
3. With written prior approval of the Registrar, a series of short courses may be used cumulatively to satisfy the credit requirements to a maximum of 3 credit hours.
4. All students are required to complete the 6-credit supervised ministry course, which contains an eleven-month practicum.
5. It should be noted that both the required and elective courses can be changed by Senate decision without public notice.
6. If, after a 3-year period of inactivity, a Master of Divinity student has not completed a course, that student will be removed from the program.  An appeal for an exception may be made by the student to the college administration through the Office of the Registrar.

The degree of Master of Divinity is granted by the Carey Theological College Senate, upon recommendation of the President or appointee of Carey Theological College.  Normally, it is awarded to the student publicly at graduation, annually in May.

Graduate Studies Orientation

All new MDiv students are required to attend the Graduate Studies Orientation, held annually in September.  The scheduled date in 2010 is September 20 & 21. The Graduate Studies Orientation introduces the learning objectives of the degree program and prepares students to re-enter the academic world while remaining involved in practical ministry.  It provides a foundation for the process of discernment of ministry gifts and skills, and the deepening of Christian character, which are integral to readiness for ministry.  Ministry audits are a part of this process.

The Orientation is followed immediately by a four-day module of SPIR 500 Spiritual Formation. It is recommended that all students attending Orientation plan to take the SPIR 500 module also.

Course Requirements

A student seeking to complete the Master of Divinity degree (72 credits) should plan their academic program carefully in consultation with the Registrar.  The MDiv program offers an optional concentration (12 credits) in North American Chinese Church Ministries (NACCM).

Affirmation for Ministry

The Affirmation for Ministry designation is an affirmation of a student’s call to and preparation for ministry in addition to the MDiv degree that is granted by Carey Theological College. This affirmation expresses the conviction that preparation for ministry involves growth in all dimensions of life, including the academic, spiritual, personal, social, and vocational. The granting [or withholding] of the designation is the result of a process of discernment that engages Carey faculty, students, and others over the course of a student’s program at Carey. The aim of this process is to identify and encourage the student’s gifts for ministry and to prepare the student for a lifetime of faithful and joyful ministry. The faculty of Carey recognizes that ministry is empowered by grace and that readiness for ministry is different for each student, but this recognition accompanies the conviction that readiness for ministry also entails commitment, discipline and excellence. Suitability for ministry is also part of the discernment process and the faculty reserves the right to withhold affirmation if a student is considered to be unfit for ministry.

Admission:  The process of discernment begins with the student’s application and reference, where attention focuses on the student’s call to and preparation for ministry. Both the student and the student’s referees are asked to identify areas of strength and weakness that will require attention during the student’s education.

Stage 1/Credits 1-36   The process of discernment continues at the student’s orientation to the Master of Divinity program, making use of the Profile of Ministry Stage 1 tool and a variety of other testing tools.  Each student will meet with the Director of Supervised Ministry and with their faculty advisor to review goals and discern progress. Students who have identified the denomination or organization in which they expect to serve also should be in regular contact with their judicatory body.  Progression from the first to the second stage involves an assessment process that is shared by the student and the faculty.

Stage 2/Credits 37-72   The second stage of the MDiv program involves all the persons involved with the student in the Supervised Ministry program, the faculty, the Profile of Ministry Stage 2 indicator, and, of course, the student’s own continued discernment.  The fruit of the shared discernment process will result in the faculty’s granting (or withholding) of the Affirmation for Ministry.  The granting or withholding of the Affirmation is noted on each student’s final transcript. Should the Affirmation be withheld and a student wishes to appeal, the student should follow the appeal process outlined in the College catalogue.  Students are urged to be active participants in this process and to see it as an equipping and enabling process. They are encouraged to enter into continuous conversation with the faculty, staff, and students of Carey about their preparation for ministry.