Master of Divinity

Maturing in faith through the development of spiritual disciplines and a life conformed to the image of Christ.

Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity program is under the leadership of Dr. Gary Baldwin, Head of the Department of Pastoral Studies. It is a ninety-six (96) semester credit hour Master of Divinity program. This degree provides the student in-depth study involving course work, research, practicum, internship, and a thesis. Students enrolled must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher to continue in the program. Students are expected to strictly follow the required course of study for the degree concentration.

The Master of Divinity degree is the standard degree required of pastors and church staff, and is nearly always required for persons entering into chaplaincy programs. Each of the three (3) concentrations of study are intense and focus specifically on the area the student chooses for a very specific career path in pastoral counseling, chaplaincy, or pastoral studies.

All students enrolled in the Master of Divinity program must obtain a level of proficiency in the Biblical Languages.

The learning outcomes of the Master of Divinity Programs are…

  1. Maturing in faith through the development of spiritual disciplines and a life conformed to the image of Christ. (Spiritual formation);
  2. Knowing and utilizing the Scriptures (Biblical)
  3. Knowing and utilizing theology and history of the church.(historical-theological);
  4. To Demonstrate practical skills of ministry (Practical),
  5. To apply historical resources and practical insights in the contemporary urban world through prophetic reflection and real world experience.” (Applicational).

The educational goal of the M. Div. program is to prepare students for vocational chaplaincy, pastoral counseling or pastoral
ministry.

The Master of Divinity student can choose from among the following three (3) concentrations:

Master of Divinity

Core Requirements

CH 635 History of the Christian Church I | 3 Hours

A general introduction to the history of the Christian Church from the Apostolic Age to the Protestant Reformation. Studies will include the early church and the Roman Empire, major ecclesiastical and doctrinal developments, the rise of the Papacy, the development and impact of monasticism and scholasticism, the Eastern and Western church split, the characteristics of the Eastern Church, and the theological and political forces leading to the Reformation.

CH 636 History of the Christian Church II | 3 Hours

A general introduction to the history of the Christian Church from the Reformation to the twenty-first century, including Protestant origins and development. Special emphasis will be given to the Western Church including Reformation movements, the Counter-Reformation, rationalism and pietism, revivalism, the growth of denominations, liberalism, Vatican II and liberation theology, the modern charismatic movement, the New Age movement, modern-day secularism and pluralism.

CP 530 Introduction to Pastoral Care | 3 Hours

This course introduces students to the basic knowledge and skills of pastoral care within and outside the hospital setting. Basic knowledge of pastoral care includes, among other things, a knowledge of one’s personal history as this relates to issues of identity formation, attitudes, assumptions, and the corresponding behaviors that impact ministry, an understanding of the dynamics of a pastoral visit to a person(s) in crisis, spiritual assessment, a knowledge of one’s own theology of care, interventions, pastoral referrals, expanding of self-awareness, and self-evaluation of a pastoral encounter.

CP 531 Spiritual Formation and Growth | 3 Hours

This course introduces students to the immediate knowledge and skills of spiritual formation and growth of members in both parish and non-parish settings. Using a heuristic approach to study the sense and use of self and others in relations, students gain better insights into what it means to be a student, person, and a pastor. The course requires the completion of a spiritual formation and growth paper that highlights insights gained that can be translated into a specialized ministry of choice.

LA 532 Greek 1 or LA 536 Hebrew 1 or LA 525 Greek Language Tools | 3 Hours

LA 532 Greek I
An introductory study of the forms, grammar, vocabulary, and composition of biblical Greek.

LA 536 Hebrew I
An introductory study of the pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and composition of biblical Hebrew, with an emphasis on nouns, pronouns, adjectives, prepositions, and the Qal stem of the verb. Readings from the Hebrew Old Testament begin.

LA 525 Greek Language Tools
An introduction to biblical Greek and an introduction to the exegetical tools available for aiding translation and interpretation.

LA 533 Greek 2 or LA 537 Hebrew 2 or LA 526 Hebrew Language Tools | 3 Hours
NT 521 Romans | 3 Hours

An exegetical study of Romans including a brief study of the authorship, background, destination, and purpose.

NT 631 New Testament Introduction | 3 Hours

A critical introduction to the canon and text of the New Testament: composition, authorship, date, and content of each book.

OT 536 Theology of the Old Testament | 3 Hours

A study of the introduction and unfolding of theology through the Old Testament.

OT 631 Old Testament Introduction | 3 Hours

A critical introduction to the canon and text of the Old Testament: composition authorship, date, and content of each book. Special emphasis will be placed on the refutation of higher critical view.

PS 501 Worship | 3 Hours

This course examines various models of Christian worship, including special occasion worship services. The student will be expected to create sample worship services for regular and special occasion worship, including weddings and funerals.

PS 530 Pastoral Counseling | 3 Hours

Advanced study of the principles and techniques of pastoral counseling with special attention given to specific problems pastors face in ministerial counseling.

PS 537 Spiritual Disciplines and Discipleship | 3 Hours

This course is designed to provide an introduction to the individual and corporate disciplines of the Christian life. Students will explore ways to cultivate communion with Christ to the end of total transformation into the image of Christ. Emphasis will also be given to how they may direct others in the practice of these Christian disciplines.

PS 631 Sermon Preparation | 3 Hours

A detailed study of the development of expository preaching with special attention to the preparation of outlines and messages that emanate from a historical, contextual, and grammatical approach to interpreting and communicating the biblical text. Students will prepare three outlines and manuscripts in three different biblical genres.

PS 632 Sermon Delivery | 3 Hours

Students practice delivery of sermons developed in PS 631, crafted for different audience and cultural contexts. Guided by the professor, students learn to evaluate sermons and to offer constructive oral and written feedback to one another. Videotaping of sermons aid in the self-evaluation process. Prerequisite: PS 631.

PS 660 Internship | 3 Hours

A supervised internship experience in either a pastoral, chaplaincy, or counseling setting. (billed as two courses)

TH 531 Systematic Theology I | 3 Hours

A systematic topical overview of Christian doctrine with special emphasis of five of the ten classic topics in biblical theology: Bibliology, Theology Proper, Christology, Pneumatology, and Angelology.

TH 532 Systematic Theology II | 3 Hours

A systematic topical overview of Christian doctrine with special emphasis on five of the ten classic topics in biblical systematic theology: Anthropology, Harmartiology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology.

TH 533 Principles of Hermeneutics | 3 Hours

An intensive study of the science and methodology of interpretation of the Bible based on principle found in Scripture.

TH 539 Christian Ethics | 3 Hours

A systemic study of Christian ethics and various ethical systems.

TD 630A Master’s Thesis | 1.5 Hours

Required of all students in the Master’s of Divinity program and offered in the fall semester of the senior year, this course will function as a writer’s group in order to help the student significantly advance the process of conceptualizing, organizing, and writing a research-based test. In class students will read each other’s work, discuss the concepts, methods, and mechanics of constructing and writing a thesis, and provide comment to help with the process. Thesis topics will be approved and students will begin writing the thesis prior to the end of the semester.

TD 630B Master’s Thesis | 1.5 Hours

This course is a continuation of TD 630A and is offered in the spring of the senior year. Students will work independently with the instructor writing the actual thesis according to the parameters set in the first semester. The completed thesis is submitted by mid-semester to a team of readers that will serve as the thesis defense committee (thesis reader fees apply).

Concentration in Chaplaincy

Concentration & Elective Requirements

CP 535 Chaplaincy Ministries | 3 Hours

Explores the various aspects of the ministry as a chaplain. Aspects of the chaplaincy will include: hospital, prison, military, and industrial. The course will include field trips to various military, prison, and hospital locations and guest lectures by various chaplains. Students examine some of the challenges associated with this special type of ministry such as privileged communication, church-state relationships and free exercise challenges. Each student will be given a chance to explore in detail an aspect of this ministry as a future calling.

CP 630 Chaplaincy Theory and Practice | 3 Hours

This course introduces students to an advanced knowledge of theory and practice of pastoral care and supervision in different clinical settings. Students are introduced to different methods of developing theological, educational, and personality theories of pastoral care and practice. Each theory is meant to account for what informs a student’s practice of pastoral care and supervision in a setting of choice.

CP 631 Clinical Chaplaincy Practicum | 3 Hours

A practical experience in learning pastoral care in a hospital setting under the supervision of a Certified Teaching Chaplain with the Hospital Chaplain’s Ministry of America (HCMA). Students will explore their attitudes about disease, pain, suffering, psychic dysfunction, separation from family, death and dying; develop skills in the visitation of patients and family members, and in relating to hospital staff; and sharpen skills to reflect theologically in connection with personal encounters in the hospital setting.

21 hours of electives, with 9 hours in Christian Counseling courses

Concentration in Pastoral Counseling

Concentration & Elective Requirements

CC 523 Premarital & Marital Counseling | 3 Hours

A comprehensive course designed to equip the Christian counselor to understand the holistic dynamics of marriage and family relationships with regard to premarital and marital counseling. The course includes lecture, discussion, case studies, and demonstrations.

CC 531 Advanced Issues of Counseling | 3 Hours

An intensive study of counseling people who are experiencing alcoholism, neurotic and psychotic behaviors, spousal abuse, aging, bereavement, and the effects of suicide.

CC 532 Grief and Loss Counseling | 3 Hours

A course that explores the impact of grief and loss as it affects the individual and the family system. A lecture-discussion format is utilized.

CC 536 Theological Foundations of Biblical Counseling | 3 Hours

Addresses the theological and theoretical foundations of the biblical counseling profession. Explores how major approaches to human growth and development compare to and contrast with related biblical teaching.

CC 537 Clinical Foundations to Biblical Counseling B | 3 Hours

Reviews the major counseling clinical practices and how each relates to biblical teaching. Equips students with beginning clinical skills needed for practicum and internship experiences. Students acquire a working knowledge of the diagnosis of psychopathology and the assessment of spiritual functioning.

CC 539 Addictions | 3 Hours

This course presents theoretical and practical explorations of the causes of and treatments for problems associated with substance abuse and behavioral addictions. Participation in this course will allow students to learn how to assess and intervene with client systems affected by problems related to substance abuse and behavioural addictions, drawing from a range of theories for understanding and models of intervention.

Electives | 12 Hours

Concentration in General Pastoral Studies

Concentration & Elective Requirements

Electives | 30 Hours

Chosen from any Master’s level courses.

Contact CCCTS

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Saturday – Sunday: Closed

Physical Address
7520 E. Independence Blvd., Suite 100
Charlotte, NC 28227-9664

Phone: 704-334-6882