Master of Divinity

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 is valley-focused and is now offered with reduced units combing traditional classroom experience with supervised ministry experience outside of the classroom to prepare you to serve with theological conviction and practical leadership skills.

Highlights

Inter-denominationally focused
Course listings designed with input from 30 valley pastors from 17 different denominations
Learn from local pastors: Dale Oquist, Paul Binion II, Anthony Flores and Renn Serna
Every course includes a class session with a respected local pastor, meeting at their church facility
Purposeful community of learners and leaders
Experienced and published faculty
MFT and ministry students integrated in foundational courses
Option to study in Israel each summer
Option to attend the Hispanic Summer Program
Online courses available
Fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Option to add a certificate in Chaplaincy or Presbyterian for an additional 2-3 units.

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.

Associate Professor, Program Director, Christian Ministry, Master of Divinity & Ministry Leadership and Culture

Faculty

Mark Baker, Ph.D.

Professor of Mission and Theology

Tim Geddert, Ph.D.

Professor, Program Director, New Testament

Lynn Jost, Ph.D.

Professor, Program Director, Old Testament, Director of the Center for Anabaptist Studies

Randy White, D.Min.

Associate Professor, Program Director, Community Leadership and Transformation, Executive Director of the Center for Community Transformation

Admission requirements

Commitment to and desire for Christian ministry and service
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited University
Minimum GPA of 2.5
Online application and fee ($90)
Personal profile questions
Three letters of reference
Writing sample

Download the Admissions Checklist to get started.

Course listing

Required Courses (72 Units)

Biblical and Theological Reflection (33 Units)

Code	Title	Units
BIB 709	Bible Knowledge Requirement Seminar	0
BIB 720	The Church and God’s Mission in the World (Must be an FPU Seminary course.)	3
BIB 725	Understanding, Interpreting and Teaching Scripture (Must be taken for 3)	2-3
THEO 730	Discipleship and Ethics (Must be an FPU Seminary course. Must be taken for 3.)	2-3

Biblical Languages - choose either Greek OR Hebrew (9)*

Code	Title	Units
BIB 710	Elementary Greek I	3 and
BIB 711	Elementary Greek II	3 and
BIB 712	Intermediate Greek Exegesis	3 or
BIB 715	Elementary Hebrew I	3 and
BIB 716	Elementary Hebrew II	3 and
BIB 717	Intermediate Hebrew Exegesis	3
BIB 750	Old Testament Theology	3 **
BIB 752	New Testament Theology	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.

** Either BIB 750 - Old Testament Theology or BIB 752 - New Testament Theology must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course

Code	Title	Units
THEO 712	The Story of the Church and Its Theology (Must be taken as a 3 course)	2-3
	Journeying Deep into Scripture - Any Bible elective	3
	Engaging the Tradition - Any History or Theology elective	3

Personal and Holistic Formation (5.5 Units)

Code	Title	Units
MIN 704	Discerning Vocation and Calling	1
MIN 712	The Charismatic Experience	1.5
MIN 714	Spirit, Character, and Transformation (Must be taken as a 3 course)	2-3

Missional and Practical Application (22 Units)

Code	Title	Units
MIN 718	Effective Contemporary Public Communication	3
THEO 719	Exploring Secular Culture & Connecting with Secular People :	3
MIN 753	Leading Organizations and Volunteers for Mission	3
MIN 762	Exegeting and Serving Your Neighborhood	1.5
MIN 750D	Cross-Cultural Encounter: San Francisco	1.5
MIN 768	Serving Resiliently Through Crises and Trauma (Must be taken for 2)	2-3
PACS 700	Peacemaking Institute and Mediation (Must be taken for 2)	2-3
MIN 793A	The Practice of Ministry (Must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course.) I	1.5
MIN 793B	The Practice of Ministry II (Must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course.)	1.5
MIN 793C	Practice of Ministry III (Must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course.)	1.5
MIN 793D	Practice of Ministry IV (Must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course.)	1.5

NOTE: Students do not need to take the Practice of Ministry series in order.

Integration and Specialization

Elective Units for Specialization 5.5-8.5

Code	Title	Units
BIB 790DV MIN 799	Senior Seminar - MDIV or Thesis (Must be FPU Biblical Seminary course.)	3 or 3-6
MIN 770DV	Ministry Discernment - MDIV	0

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Program details

Delivery mode

On campus

Cost per unit

$485

Number of units

Accreditation

Association of Theological Schools

Locations

Fresno Main Campus

Related programs

Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary has formed me as a devoted follower of Jesus. My time here has equipped me with the tools needed for a lifetime of fruitful ministry in service of God’s kingdom.

Dustin Maddox

Master of Divinity