The Master of Divinity degree, more commonly known as the M.Div., is the most respected and comprehensive degree for leadership within a church, para-church or faith-based non- profit organization. This degree combines a traditional classroom experience with supervised ministry experience outside of the classroom to prepare you to serve with theological conviction and practical leadership skills.
Highlights
- Purposeful community of learners and leaders
- experienced and published faculty
- theologically diverse student body
- MFT and ministry students integrated in foundational courses
- Option to study in Israel each summer
- Option to attend the Hispanic Summer Program
- Diverse practicum opportunities
- Online courses available
- Fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Career opportunities
We have skilled graduates serving locally and abroad as lead pastors, executive pastors, student ministry pastors, military chaplains, fire and law enforcement chaplains, pastoral counselors and community developers. Our graduates plant churches in areas where churches are scarce, lead teams of people in unconventional and very creative ministries, and in general bring life transformation into areas with desperate need.
Program director
Brian Ross, D.Min.
Faculty
Mark Baker, Ph.D.
Tim Geddert, Ph.D.
Lynn Jost, Ph.D.
Valerie Rempel, Ph.D.
Admission requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited University
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- Completion of FPBS application materials
Course listing
Required Courses (90 Units)
Foundations
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIB-720* | The Church and God’s Mission in the World | 3 |
| BIB-725 | Biblical Interpretation I | 3 |
| HIST-712 | History of Christianity | 3 |
| MIN-705* | Mentoring/Connecting | 1 |
| MIN-750A* or MIN-750D* | Cross-Cultural Encounter: Los Angeles Cross-Cultural Encounter: San Francisco | 1.5 1.5 |
| MIN-750B* or MIN-750C* | Cross-Cultural Encounter: Fresno Cross-Cultural Encounter: International | 1.5 1.5 |
| THEO-705 | Christian Thought | 3 |
Expanding The Base
Choose one set:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIB-710 and BIB-711 or BIB-715 and BIB-716 | Elementary Greek I Elementary Greek II Elementary Hebrew I Elementary Hebrew II | 3 3 3 3 |
Students may petition to substitute biblical language requirements (9 units) with BIB-722 Biblical Language Tools (3) and (6) units of Bible content courses. Interested students should discuss this option with their faculty advisor.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIB-750** | Biblical Theology I | 3 |
| BIB-752** | Biblical Theology II | 3 |
| COUN-724 | Interpersonal Communication | 2 |
| MIN-710 | Spiritual Formation | 2 |
| MIN-720 | Personal Evangelism | 1 |
Testing The Theory
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIB-712 or BIB-717 | Intermediate Greek Exegesis Intermediate Hebrew Exegesis | 3 3 |
| MIN-793A* | Supervised Ministry Experience I | 1.5 |
| MIN-793B* | Supervised Ministry Experience II | 1.5 |
| MIN-793C* | Supervised Ministry Experience III | 1.5 |
| HIST-716 | Anabaptist Evangelical Story | 3 |
| THEO-760 or HIST-718 | Anabaptist Evangelical Confessions North American Religious History | 3 3 |
| THEO-730* | Discipleship and Ethics | 3 |
Practicing The Theory
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MIN-740 or MIN-742 | Preaching I Preaching for Contemporary Listeners | 3 3 |
| MIN-744 | Pastoral Care and Counseling | 3 |
| MIN-746 | Christian Worship | 3 |
| PACS-700 | Basic Institute in Conflict Management and Mediation | 2 |
Capstone Learning
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIB-790 or MIN-799 | Senior Seminar Thesis | 3 6 |
| MIN-793D | Supervised Ministry Experience IV | 1.5 |
| MIN-748 | Pastoral Leadership | 3 |
| MIN-770 | Ministry Discernment | 0 |
Electives
- New testament or old testament bible content courses (5-6 units)
- Practical studies (3 units)
- Mft course (1.5 units)
- Free electives(12.5-15.5 units)
* Must be FPU Biblical Seminary course.
** At least one biblical theology course must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course.