Master of Divinity Degree
Purpose of the Master of Divinity Degree
The Master of Divinity degree at Truett Seminary intends to provide graduate theological education that is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ and consistent with historic Baptist commitments to prepare persons to carry this gospel to the churches and the world.
Primary Goals of the Program
The George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University creates a learning environment that shapes scholar-ministers for the Church in the historic orthodox Christian tradition. The Seminary does so in the larger context of a major national research university with a confession rooted in the historic Baptist tradition.
As evidence of the Seminary’s commitment to both its ecclesial and educative contexts, Truett Seminary creates an intentional learning environment that promotes formation, deepens knowledge and embraces praxis. These three areas--being, knowing, and doing--prove equally foundational and absolutely essential for holistic ministerial formation.
Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary should be:
- Persons with a developing sense of calling and a growing dedication to the mission of God in the world;
- Persons with a deepening commitment to the life of the church;
- Persons who are continually being formed as followers of Christ, committed to integrating the Christian practices into daily life (e.g., worship, prayers, study, service);
- Persons of high ethical standards regarding their relationship and responsibility to self, family, congregation, colleagues, community, and creation.
Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary should know:
- The narrative of Scripture including the contours of the biblical stories of Israel, Jesus Christ, and the church, as well as the central themes of creation, fall, redemption, mission, and recreation that shape the narrative;
- The Great Tradition (and traditions) of Christian thought;
- Baptist history and doctrine, while developing an appreciation for the wider ecumenical community;
- Appropriate means for articulating the Christian faith in light of the context in which she or he ministers.
Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary should be able to:
- Demonstrate competency in basic ministry skills, including preaching, leading, administration, and conducting public worship and the ordinances of the church;
- Interpret accurately the Christian Scriptures and apply them effectively to ministry tasks (e.g., preaching, teaching, discipleship);
- Reflect critically and theologically upon the acts and experiences of Christian ministry;
- Lead congregations in spiritual formation and discipleship;
- Practice contextual evangelism;
- Participate effectively in God’s mission locally and globally;
- Exercise skillful care of people in the midst of crises, but more broadly, through all stages of life;
- Relate effectively and authentially as a human to humans in the common concerns of life;
- Demonstrate appropriate self-care.
Student Learning Outcomes
The M.Div. program at Truett Seminary seeks to achieve holistic student development by equipping students through theological and biblical reflection, spiritual formation, ministry service, and contextual engagement. The outcomes for this degree include:
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will possess foundational skills in the study of content, context, and interpretation of Christian Scripture, including biblical languages.
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will possess foundational skills in the study of both the content and context of the larger Christian tradition.
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will demonstrate active engagement with cultural context and social needs in ways that inform and enrich the practice of Christian witness.
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will engage in patterns of practice and belief that will inform and enrich the spiritual life of the minister.
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will demonstrate competency and capacity for integrating theology and ministry leadership in varied contexts.
Four Components of the Master of Divinity Degree
- Specified Courses
Completion of all required courses and semester hours as described in this catalog. - Lifelong Formation
Lifelong Formation is an essential component in the education of all Truett Seminary students. As evidence of that belief, Truett seeks to build a culture committed to the following:- Truett is a community that worships together. We attend chapel regularly because worship of the Living God is central to our vocation as ministers and vital to our common life in this place.
- Truett is a community that learns together. We attend lifelong formation events each semester based on our shared commitment to be ministers equipped for the work of the Gospel.
- Truett is a community that fellowships together. We attend lifelong formation events so that we might learn from each other, and in turn, come to appreciate the Spirit’s work within the life of a community.
- Mentoring in Ministry
- Purpose
Mentoring in ministry is an apprenticeship program whereby the student is assigned to a ministry setting for the purpose of receiving hands-on experience and guidance in the day-to-day functions of ministry. The goal of mentoring in ministry is to provide the student with an intensive ministry experience, under the tutelage and supervision of a trusted mentor, that will enable the student to become acquainted with the actual tasks and functions of ministry. The student is to participate in the mentoring program after the completion of 30 academic hours and before the completion of 78 hours (or a full semester prior to graduation). - Issues Related to Academic Advisement
The preferred place for the student’s mentoring in ministry is the local church or a missions setting, but institutional or denominational settings are acceptable in approved cases. (It is considered that whatever area the student will be involved in ministry after graduation from seminary, the local church or missions experience will be invaluable.) Students may enroll for either 6 hours or 9 hours in mentoring in a given semester. - Procedures
- For an in-depth explanation of the mentoring in ministry course process and procedures, please contact the Director of Mentoring in Ministry.
- Purpose
- Spiritual Formation Groups
All M.Div., M.A.C.M., M.T.S., and dual-degree students must complete four semesters of participation in a spiritual formation group before graduating. Groups will meet on a regular basis and will be given readings and assignments associated with issues of spiritual formation. The focus of these groups will be growth in self-discovery, the practice of spiritual disciplines, worship, and discussion, all for the purpose of cultivating the kind of character, integrity, relational skills, and spiritual resources requisite for life in Christian ministry.
Master of Divinity Degree Requirements
Master of Divinity
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ||
| Minimum Requirement | (87) | |
| Residence Requirement – minimum (Truett Seminary encourages a much higher number) | (51) | |
| Grade point average – minimum of 2.00 or “C” overall and minimum of “C” or 2.00 in all core courses | ||
| Introductory Courses 1 | ||
| THEO 7340 | Introduction to Christian Scriptures | 3 |
| THEO 7341 | Introduction to Christian History and Theology | 3 |
| WOCW 7385 | Introduction to Christian Witness and Mission | 3 |
| Spiritual Formation | ||
| PRTH 7101 | Spiritual Formation I | 1 |
| PRTH 7102 | Spiritual Formation II | 1 |
| PRTH 7103 | Spiritual Formation III | 1 |
| PRTH 7004 | Spiritual Formation Retreat | 0 |
| Christian Scriptures | ||
| THEO 7370 | Christian Scriptures I | 3 |
| THEO 7372 | Christian Scriptures II | 3 |
| THEO 7371 | Christian Scriptures III | 3 |
| THEO 7373 | Christian Scriptures IV | 3 |
| Biblical Languages | ||
| THEO 7346 | New Testament Greek I | 3 |
| THEO 7347 | New Testament Greek II | 3 |
| THEO 7356 | Hebrew I | 3 |
| THEO 7357 | Hebrew II | 3 |
| Christian Theology | ||
| THEO 7360 | Christian Texts and Traditions I | 3 |
| THEO 7361 | Christian Texts and Traditions II | 3 |
| THEO 7362 | Christian Texts and Traditions III | 3 |
| THEO 7382 | Constructive Theology | 3 |
| Christian Tradition | ||
| THEO 7396 | The Baptist Identity | 3 |
| or WSLY 7310 | Wesleyan Theology and Doctrine | |
| LEAD 7303 | Leadership for Congregational Ministry | 3 |
| or WSLY 7320 | Wesleyan History & Polity | |
| Christian Ministry | ||
| PAST 7330 | Introduction to Pastoral Care | 3 |
| PRCH 7316 | Preaching I | 3 |
| MENT 7V00 | Mentoring in Ministry | 9 |
| PRTH 7391 | Integrative Seminar: Faith and Practice | 3 |
| Electives or Concentration | 15 | |
| Complete concentration requirements or select 15 hours of electives 2 | ||
| Satisfactory academic progress | ||
| Total Hours | 87 | |
- 1
THEO 7340 and THEO 7341 are required courses; however, based upon previous academic experience, students may petition to waive or substitute these courses. Introductory courses are waived from the degree plan by passing an advanced standing exam (see the Advanced Standing Policy).
- 2
Students seeking ordination in the Wesleyan tradition are required to take WSLY 7330 Wesleyan Worship & Sacraments as one of their electives.
Each candidate for the Master of Divinity must complete the entire theological studies core and required concentration hours. Students may choose either the Ministry Leadership concentration or the Sports Ministry concentration. Master of Divinity students will be placed in the Ministry Leadership concentration at time of enrollment unless they declare on their application their intent to enroll in the Sports Ministry concentration. Students seeking to switch from one concentration to the other must submit a petition to the Director of Academic Services.
Ministry Leadership
Requirements for a Concentration in Ministry Leadership (Master of Divinity - Theology)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students may choose 15 credit hours from the following course prefixes: | 15 | |
CRED, LEAD, MUS, PAST, PRCH, PRTH, PTSM, TEFJ, THEO, WOCW, WSLY | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Sports Ministry
Requirements for a Concentration in Sports Ministry (Master of Divinity - Theology)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PTSM 7320 | Theology and Philosophy of Sports Ministry | 3 |
| PTSM 7333 | Integration of Faith and Sports | 3 |
| PTSM 7354 | Theological Ethics of Chaplaincy | 3 |
| PTSM 7366 | Soul Care in Sports | 3 |
| Elective or WSLY 7330 1 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- 1
Students seeking ordination in the Wesleyan tradition are required to take WSLY 7330 as one of their electives.
Emphases
Truett offers numerous specialized courses from a variety of ministry areas. Students may pursue an emphasis in these particular areas:
- Biblical Studies and Languages
- Chaplaincy
- Family Ministries
- Music Leadership in Worship
- Preaching
- Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
- Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice
- World Christianity and Witness
While these are not formal degree concentrations, they offer students an opportunity to curate their degree towards their specific ministry context. Course recommendations for each emphasis are available in the office of Academic Services, from Program Directors, or from Truett Faculty.