Category: Theological Seminary

Master of Divinity

Post author By admin
Post date August 20, 2014

The MDiv Program

The Master of Divinity is a professional degree designed to prepare and upgrade pastors, Bible workers, and chaplains. It is accredited by the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) and the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA). This program accepts students who hold a baccalaureate degree in religion or another area or a master’s degree in ministry/theology. The minimum duration of the program is two years, plus any time needed to meet prerequisites. This program is also available online modality but only to those without any prerequisites.

Outcomes and Competencies

Outcomes	Competencies
Personal and Spiritual Development	Demonstrates the ability to integrate personal faith and theological learning in the context of ministry Demonstrates insight and self-knowledge on spiritual practice Is able to teach, model, and inspire a life of faith that fosters a posture of reverence, gratitude and desire for truth Is an example in justice (fairness), compassion (kindness), integrity (honesty) and service (humility)
Professional Knowledge	Understands biblical principles and is able to apply them to contemporary situations Recognize and defend the unity and diversity of the Adventist church in consideration of its history, traditions, and distinctive teachings Is to analyze contemporary theological issues from an Adventist perspective
Christian Commitment	Exercises effective leadership of the church within the context of its communities through teaching, worship, pastoral care and welfare ministries Takes responsibility to lead and equip the church to progress by faith despite challenges Is able to move people to participate in gospel ministry with motivation, enthusiasm, and passion

Credit Load

The maximum credit load is 15 semester hours per regular semester and 9 semester hours in an intersemester. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.75 will be placed on scholastic probation. Students placed on scholastic probation are limited to 12 semester hours per regular semester or 6 semester hours in the intersemester until the scholastic probation is lifted.

Directed Study

A Directed Study should only be taken in case of a scheduling conflict or to fulfill a special coursework need of the student. A maximum of 9 credits of Directed Study work may be taken. A student may not use the Directed Study option in place of a core requirement without specific ASAC approval.

Admission Requirements

Hold a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75 (or equivalent).
Demonstrated English proficiency.

Prerequisites

Have at least 54 semester hours in religion at the undergraduate level or 36 semester hours at the graduate level. All the prerequisite courses need to be done before 50% of the program is completed. Those who want to accomplish their prerequisites at AIIAS must earn 12 credits from each of the areas of Applied Theology, Biblical Studies, and Theological-Historical Studies.

Applied Theology courses must be the following:

CHMN 512 Pastoral Care and Counseling (3 units)
CHMN 545 Dynamic Sermon Design and Delivery (3 units)
CHMN 556 Pastoral Ministry (3 units)
CHMN 558 Ministry Practicum I/II/III (3 units)

Degree Requirements

Complete 72 semester hours of coursework specified in the program within a maximum of eight years excluding the time of completing the prerequisites.
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of not less than 2.75 for graduation.

Credit by Transfer

The maximum credits by transfer and the challenge of courses through challenge exams may not exceed 18 semester hours. Master of Ministry and Master of Arts in Ministry degrees from AIIAS may transfer up to 36 credits into the MDiv program.

Curriculum

In order to complete the Master of Divinity program the following 72 semester hours must be completed.

Master of Divinity Curriculum
Applied Theology	30 units
Required Courses	15 units
CHMN 550	Field Evangelism (3 units)
CHMN 555	Applied Theology Colloquium I (1 unit)
CHMN 579	Ministry and Spiritual Life (3 units)
CHMN 658	Advanced Church Ministry Practicum I/II (2 units)
LEAD 510	Biblical Foundations of Leadership and Ethics (3 units)
MSSN 577	Growing Disciples and Mission (3 units)
Elective Courses	15 units
	One Church Ministry Course (3 units) One Leadership Course (3 units) Two Mission Courses (6 units) One CHMN/MSSN/LEAD Course (3 units)
Biblical Studies	18 units
Required Courses	9 units
NTST 540	Greek Grammar (3 units)
OTST 540	Hebrew Grammar (3 units)
OTST/NTST 512	Biblical Hermeneutics (3 units)
Elective Courses	9 units
	One Old Testament Course (3) One New Testament Course (3) One OTST/NTST Course (3)
Theological-Historical Studies	18 units
Required Courses	6 units
CHIS 570	History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (3 units)
THST 531	Distinctive Doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (3 units)
Elective Courses	12 units
	One Church History Course (3 units) Three THST/CHOH Courses (9 units)
General Courses	6 units
GSEM 608	Advanced Methods of Teaching Bible (3 units)
One of the following:
GSEM 600	Applied Theology Research and Writing (3 units)
GSEM 630	Documentary Research and Writing (3 units)
TOTAL UNITS	72 units

Tell me More about the Master of Divinity Program

Other Programs for Me

Theological Seminary

Master of Divinity Online

Post author By admin
Post date August 20, 2014

Coordinator: James H. Park

Admission Requirements

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree in religion from a recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 2.50 (or equivalent) or 72 semester hours in religion with any equivalent undergraduate degree.

2. A letter of recommendation from the church organization presently employing the applicant. If the applicant is not currently employed by a church organization, then the letter of recommendation from the local church board where the applicant holds membership, or from the theological faculty of the institution granting the prerequisite degree.

Degree Requirements

1. Complete 72 semester hours of course work specified in the program within a maximum of ten years.

2. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of not less than 2.75 for all course work.

3. Three semester hours of Biblical Hebrew and six semester hours of Biblical Greek at the undergraduate level. If these were not completed during the last three years, a proficiency test must be passed. Any deficiency in biblical languages may be met through the following courses which may also count towards the program requirements:

NTST 540 Greek Grammar and OTST 540 Hebrew Grammar.

Credit by Transfer

The maximum credit by transfer is 18 semester hours. For those already holding a Master of Ministry degree or its equivalent, the requirements for the degree include 36 semester hours of coursework.

Curriculum

In order to complete the MDiv Online program the following 24 courses (72 semester hours) or their equivalents must be completed.

Applied Theology 30

CHMN 515 Equipping Ministry (3)

CHMN 530 Health Ministries (3)

CHMN 545 Dynamic Sermon Design and Delivery (3)

CHMN 579 Ministry and the Spiritual Life (3)

CHMN 641 Theology and Practice of Worship (3)

LEAD 510 Biblical Foundations of Leadership (3)

LEAD 682 Management in the Church and Church Organization (3)

MSSN 540 World Religions (3)

MSSN 577 Growing Disciples and Mission (3)

MSSN 665 Urban Ministry and Mission (3)

Biblical Studies 18

NTST 540 Greek Grammar (3)

NTST 560 Gospels (3)

NTST 570 The Book of Revelation (3)

OTST 540 Hebrew Grammar (3)

OTST 570 The Book of Daniel (3)

OTST/NTST 612 Biblical Hermeneutics (3)

Theological-Historical Studies 18

CHIS 512 History of the Reformation and Modern Church (3)

CHIS 570 History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (3)

THST 511 Revelation, Inspiration, and Prophetic Guidance (3)

THST 512 Doctrine of God (3)

THST 518 Doctrine of Salvation (3)

THST 531 Distinctive Doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (3)

General Courses 6

GSEM 608 Advanced Methods of Teaching Bible (3)

One of the following:

GSEM 600 Applied Theology Research and Writing (3)

GSEM 630 Documentary Research and Writing (3)

Total Semester Hours 72

Theological Seminary

Master of Theology

Post author By admin
Post date August 20, 2014

The Master of Theology Program offers a third level degree in theology and is similar to the Doctor of Philosophy in Religion (PhD). It is intended for MDiv or MA-R graduates with a strong academic orientation, who wish to become specialists in Applied Theology, Biblical Studies, or Historical-Theological Studies.

Program Length

2 years

When to Begin

August (for in-residence)

May (for in ministry)

Admission Requirements

1. An MA in Religion (MA-R) or MDiv degree.

2. A minimum entrance GPA of 3.50 on a four-point scale (or equivalent).

3. A minimum of two years of full–time church ministry experience.

4. The following additional documents must be submitted to the Admissions Office:

• Recommendations from the following using the forms provided: An academic administrative officer or leader of the applicant’s employing organization in the last five years, and the school from which the applicant received the graduate degree, if other than AIIAS.

• Personal statement of approximately 600 words explaining the student’s purpose for seeking the Master of Theology degree, and his/her philosophical perspective and professional goals.

5. Demonstrated proficiency in English.

6. A Research Paper with an original (20-page minimum), publishable quality, academic article (or thesis summary) in the area of interest, which is to be reviewed and approved by the major department and program director of the area of concentration. Detailed guidelines will be made available to the applicant as part of the enrollment package. In case the paper is not written in English, the original and a translated version need to be submitted.

7. An interview with the candidate.

Prerequisites

At least 15 graduate semester hours in the proposed area of concentration.
Those applying for a Biblical Studies or Theological-Historical concentration should have a pass (B or above) in GSEM 630 Documentary Research and Writing.
Those applying for an Applied Theology concentration should have a pass (B or above) in both of the following: GSEM/RESM 615 Statistics GSEM/RESM 610 Research Methods or ____ 600 Applied Theology Research and Writing or equivalent.
A pass (B or above) in OTST/NTST 612 Biblical Hermeneutics.
MTh applicants must demonstrate proficiency in both Greek and Hebrew (Grammar and/or Reading) before entrance into the program, by a proficiency exam. Students whose concentration is OT or NT should demonstrate proficiency in both Hebrew and Greek Readings level (B, 83%). Students with another concentration should choose the language in which to demonstrate Reading proficiency (B, 83%) while the other language will only require Grammar proficiency (C, 73%). Applicants who do not fulfill this requirement may be admitted on provisional status and fulfill it by taking remedial course(s) concurrently with their MTh coursework, but not later than 50% of the coursework has been completed. Students who fail to meet this deadline will not be allowed to register further for regular course work until the biblical language proficiency is met.
GSEM 608 Advanced Methods of Teaching Bible is a prerequisite for GSEM 894 Course Development and Teaching Practicum. This prerequisite can alternatively be fulfilled by providing evidence of three years of full-time undergraduate teaching at an accredited institution.

Areas of Study – Concentration

Each MTh candidate will choose one area of concentration from the following:

Biblical Studies

Old Testament Studies

New Testament Studies

Theological-Historical Studies

Theological Studies

Historical Studies

Applied Theology

Church Ministry

Church Leadership and Administration

Intercultural Studies and World Mission

Areas of Study – Cognate

In addition to a concentration, students should choose a cognate from a different field of study. Possible options for the cognate are as follows:

Biblical Studies

Old Testament

New Testament

Theological-Historical Studies

Theological Studies

Historical Studies

Adventist History

Historical Theology

Applied Theology

Church Ministry

Church Leadership and Administration

Intercultural Studies

World Mission

Students may also choose a different graduate level cognate approved by the Programs Committee.

In-Ministry MTh Track

The In-Ministry track of the MTh in Religion program allows candidates to save on the total cost of earning an MTh as well as continue their employment. However, candidates should meet the English proficiency and clear all prerequisites before being allowed to enter this track:

Biblical languages proficiency

Prerequisite credits in their concentration area

Academic publishable paper

Candidates and their employers should sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) making sure that students will be able to come to AIIAS one term (2 months) per year during Sessions 1 to 3 of their program, for 6 months during Session 4 (see table), and be able to spend at least 10 quality hours a week to complete assignments during the rest of each year while in the program. Candidates should also have an adequate Internet connection, and access to suitable academic libraries online and offline while studying at home. The Seminary will contact and evaluate, and may even visit the proposed libraries in the student’s country.

In-Ministry MTh Students will spend a term during each of their first three years at AIIAS taking classes, attending doctoral seminars, and completing Directed Readings/Research during the rest of the year. This way, the student will register for up to 12 units a year. At the beginning of the Session 3 on campus, students will take the general knowledge examination. For Session 4, students will come for 6 months finishing the rest of the course credits and preparing for comprehensive examinations. The last month will be reserved for taking the comprehensive examinations. This schedule requires good time management and planning.

It is recommended that the student comes alone to take courses on AIIAS campus. The Seminary will provide the necessary doctoral seminars when InMinistry MTh students are on campus. Before going home every year the student should propose topics and sign a number of contracts for Directed Readings/Research in order to fulfill the planned credits for the yearly session, make the necessary arrangements with professors, examiners, advisors, or committees, and to renew their library research. All other program requirements specified in the MTh description of the AIIAS Bulletin apply to the In-Ministry MTh track as well.

Session	On-Campus Residence	Rest of year	Aim to Complete
1	6 credits (AIIAS)	6 credits (home)	12 credits
2	6 credits (AIIAS)	6 credits (home)	12 credits
3	General knowledge examination, 6 credits (AIIAS)	6 credits (home)	Pre-candidacy, 12 credits
4	6 credits (incl. teaching practicum-AIIAS)	6 credits, preparation for Comprehensive examination	12 credits
5	Comprehensive examinations (AIIAS)		MTh degree awarded

Augu

Meet Some of our Professors

Teofilo Correa, PhD

MTh Program Director; Old Testament

Aivars Ozolins, PhD

Applied Theology Concentration; Inter-Cultural Studies

Carlos Mora, ThD

Biblical Studies Concentration; Old Testament and Biblical Languages

Kyungho Song, PhD

Theological-Historical Studies Concentration; Systematic Theology

Request More Information about the MTh Program

Theological Seminary

Post author By admin
Post date January 1, 2011

Contact

Telephone Number: (+63) (46) 414-4340

Email: seminary@aiias.edu

Mission Statement

The AIIAS Theological Seminary exists to equip mission-driven professional teachers and other church leaders in a wholistic, multicultural, and collaborative approach to learning. The Seminary promotes biblically informed scholarship, spirituality, and meaningful field experience.

Vision Statement

The Seminary endeavors to be globally recognized as a center for research excellence in theology and mission: a place where personal faith is strengthened, biblical understanding sharpened, and a sense of mission embraced.

Goals of the Seminary

Be an influential Adventist voice.
Provide competent human resources for the world church.
Engage in the international, regional, and local communities relevant to the mission of the church.
Foster high academic standards and practice.
Respond to student needs in a supportive way.
Provide essential support systems.
Obtain additional international accreditation.

Core Graduate Profile

Upon completion of their degree programs, graduates of the Theological Seminary will

Demonstrate the attributes and skills of competent spiritual leaders, including a sense of divine call and communion with God, a compassionate and accepting relationship with other people, personal integrity, and a balanced judgment.
Successfully manage religious programs, personnel, finances, and facilities in a diverse cultural environment.
Promote and participate in the global mission of the church.
Inspire and facilitate personal ministry growth through a commitment to life-long learning.
Initiate critical and creative thinking, serving as a catalyst for advancement and growth.
Demonstrate competence in communicating through the printed medium biblically based responses to contemporary cultural, ethical, and theological issues and challenges.