There are three different kinds of ministry that the New York Divinity School is seeking to train and equip, and there is a Master’s degree designed for each. First, every Christian leader needs to engage Biblical insight and wisdom into daily life, in every workplace, and in every community. The Master of Arts (MA) in Faith and Practice equips all leaders for the levels of significance they desire. Second, every pastor, future pastor and chaplain should seek the full professional pastoral degree, and the seminary offers that with the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program. Third, Christian men and women may seek extensive knowledge of Christian behavior and belief, without the full professional pastoral degree, or as a stepping stone to later upgrade to a professional degree. The Master of Arts in Theological Studies will thoroughly serve their needs.

The Master of Arts (MA) in Faith and Practice (36 credits) is designed for those professionals who already have a degree and work experience in their profession (such as government, law, business, medicine, education, accounting, engineering, social work or fine arts) and wish to engage a higher level of significance in their lives and in some aspect of work, profession, culture, or social/civic/economic issue in the light of Biblical and Christian teaching, to help equip them in their chosen field and Church leadership.

The educational objective of the Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree program is to prepare persons for the pastoral ministry in Christian churches. This degree is modeled after the standards used by most other seminaries, as well as denominations, chaplaincy requirements, and such like. This MDiv degree provides recognized professional training for men and women pursuing a calling into the pastorate or related ministry professions.

The Master of Arts (MA) in Theological Studies (48 credits) is a degree for men and women who are serious about the preparation and work of ministry, as pastors or lay people, although it is not the full MDiv professional degree. The MA in Theological Studies degree provides Biblical, personal, historical, and theological training to equip people in ministry. Students who complete the MA in Theological Studies degree and enter professional ministry will be encouraged to continue to further their training toward a Master of Divinity degree. The MA in Theological Studies is often chosen by those who plan further study toward a Doctor of Theology or a Doctor of Philosophy and a career in teaching in a university, a Christian school or a seminary.

We are working to make each of these degree programs available by Fall 2004. For each of the three degrees, Biblical ethos/ethics and Biblical apologetics/evangelism themes bind the curriculum together and penetrate all courses. The courses are organized into three main categories: (1) Bible-based Content, Understanding, and Application of Scripture; (2) Christ-centered Worldview/Theology, Conduct and Cogency; and (3) Spirit-led Personal Growth, Ministry Skills and Community Leadership.