The goal of the graduate program is to deliver quality graduate theological education that will equip pastors, priests, evangelists and church leaders for active and effective ministry and service particularly in Africa and generally in the World. The graduate program will open opportunities to train pastors and church leaders pursuing graduate theological studies outside Africa but lack the necessary support.

Program OBJECTIVES

The Master of Divinity program shall actively promote spiritual development and an atmosphere of practical theological study and research. The specific objectives are as follows:

1. To prepare men and women in the areas of biblical studies, church history, theology, ethics, spiritual formation, and ministry practices for active and effective leadership and service in the churches with particular focus on the African religious experience and work view.

2. To engage the churches in Africa in missions, evangelism and discipleship in order to form partnership and build a network of Christian leadership that fosters ecumenical partnership in fulfilling the great commission of the church in Africa and the world.

3. To support effective transformational leadership and stewardship to address the needs of the poor and the oppressed, the physically challenged and the needy, and those with physical ailments as well as those in chains and prisons, through the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ.

4. To create an educational center for training and transforming pastors and preachers, developing emerging church leaders in order to address the issues of justice and peace in the context of the Wesleyan tradition and sustain the progression of church leadership growth and development in Africa. To also produce critical and analytical researchers with skills in designing police to guide the church in community development and addressing social issue.

5. To support scholarship in theological education on the issues of gender, religion, race, sex and cultural realities and structures within the Christian church in Africa from an African experience and perspective.

Master of Divinity

Year One

  GRADUATE PROGRAM – COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

1. BIBLICAL STUDIES (BS)
2. BS501 – Hebrew Language (3 Credit Hours): This course introduces the student to the grammar and syntax of Biblical Hebrew, with a view towards the translation and exegesis of the Hebrew Bible. It enhances student’s ability to comfortably and broadly work with the basic features of the Hebrew Scriptures.

2. BS502 – Greek Language (3 credit Hours): This course is an introductory course designed to emphasize essential aspects of Koine Greek for the purpose of New Testament exegesis. The completion of this course will increase student’s skill to be able to work confidently with the basic features of the Greek New Testament.

3. BS503- Old Testament Studies (3 Credit Hours): This course introduces the student to the history, literature and the thought of Old Testament as reflected in its major divisions and individual books. The course provides students with an overview or the Old Testament, helping them to appreciate its significance and relevance for Christianity today.

4. BS504- New Testament Studies (3 Credit Hours): This course is an introduction to the literature of the New Testament in its socio-historical, literary and canonical contexts; and a critical consideration of each book in a general, giving special attention to the geographical, cultural and historical settings.

5. BS600- Hermeneutics (3 Credit Hours): This course focuses on the general rules that apply to grammatical- historical interpretation and will be presented and contrasted with other common systems of hermeneutics. Students will be encouraged to develop system of biblical exegesis that adheres to basic rules of hermeneutics and will be acquainted with unique factors that affect interpretation of major literature genres in the Bible.

1. CHURCH HISTORY (CH)
2. CH501- History of Christianity I (3 Credit Hours): An introduction to the development of early Christianity from the apostolic period to the Reformation. Emphasis is placed on central historical figures, movements, and theological issues, with attention given to their importance for Christian ministry today.

2. CH502- History of Christianity II (3 Credit Hours): A history of the development of Christianity from the Reformation to the modern period. Emphasis is placed on central historical figures, movements, and theological issues, with attention given to their importance for Christian today. Pre-requisite is CH501.

3. CH600-AMEC Denominational History, Doctrine & Polity (3 Credit Hours): An introduction to the history, doctrine and polity of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, including its inception and development, organization and orders for ministry, lay and clergy functions, connectional system, theological history, culture and current issues.

4. CH601-UMC Denominational History, Doctrine and polity
5. CH603- AMEZC Denominational History, Doctrine and polity
6. CH605- Baptist Denominational History, Doctrine and polity
7. CH607- Lutheran Denominational History, Doctrine and polity
8. CH609- Presbyterian Denominational History, Doctrine and polity
9. CH602- Episcopal Denominational History, Doctrine and polity

• THEOLOGY AND ETHICS (TH)

1. TE501- Introduction to Christian Theology I (3 Credit Hours): Part one of a two – part course that introduces the student to basic theological studies methods. Its primary purpose is to teach students skills for developing a Christian mind, by helping them construct a solid foundation for thinking through life’s most important issues.

2. TE502- Introduction to Christian Theology II (3 Credit Hours): This is a continuation of TE501- Introduction to Theology I and begins by establishing the reality and nature of Scripture as truth and as the final arbiter of Christian relationship to God. The student will learn about various sources of theology and the way that different people use and misuse these sources.
3. TE600- Christian Moral Theology (3 Credit Hours):

• This course is a brief overview of the nature and scope of moral theology. The students will examine topics such as Christian faith in relation to moral life, happiness, goodness, evil and sin, moral growth, and conscience, followed by a review of specific moral issues.

4. TE601- Advance Systematic Theology I (3 Credit Hours): This course focuses on prolegomena ( the doctrines of Scripture, God, angels, humanity and sin) defining the scripture views and showing the arguments for them, refuting other views, and emphasizing the relevance of theology to the Christian life and witness.

5. TE602- Advance Systematic Theology II (3 Credit Hours): This course will expose students to the doctrines of the work of Christ, salvation, the Christian life, the Holy Spirit, the church, and the last things. The biblical foundation and the relevant historical developments are considered in developing a comprehensive statement of Christian teaching concerning construction of a Christian understanding of each doctrine. (Pre- requisite TE601).

6. TE603- Study of African Tradition and Religion (SATR) (3 Credit Hours):

• The course introduces students to an African world view and African religious heritage. The purpose of the course is to teach about religion as a social and cultural factor, expose students to different theories, both from the traditional African Societies and to those originating from the upsurge of the twentieth century.

7. TE604- Issues in African Theology (3 Credit Hours): This course helps students to understand how theology has been approached by Africans. The course exposes the student to African Traditional Religion and the role it and Western theology have played in the development of African theology. It also seeks to expose students to issues raised by African traditional Religion; such as polygamy, reincarnation, sexuality, etc.

8. TE700-Women in Ministry (3 Credit Hours): This course engages critical reflection on the practice of ministry in light of feminist theory and theology, feminist biblical interpretation, issues of gender, and the very real experiences women face when entering various roles in the church. Presentations and discussions will focus on leadership skills and strengths in conversation with contemporary feminist and gender studies, the authority and offices of the clergy, women’s roles in past and present ecclesial structures, sexism, and constructions of power in the church in Africa.

1. THEORY AND PRACTICES OF MINISTRY
2. TP603- Pastoral Care and counseling- 3 Hours

• This course considers the biblical perspectives and foundational theory and practice for pastoral care and counseling. It focuses on understanding the fundamentals of the therapeutic process including basic interviewing skills, preliminary assessment, referral options, and documentation. Emphasis will be places on ethical practices, confidentiality, and circle of care.

2. TP604- Worship and Liturgy- 3 Credit Hours

• This course will explore the Biblical and theological foundations worship, review the ways the church’s praise has been shaped over the centuries, and analyze today’s worship spectrum.
• It will focus on the key elements in the practice and leadership of worship which includes order of worship, the role of prayer, scripture and music, and models of collaborative worship and planning.

3. TP606- Missions/Evangelism and Discipleship-3 Credit Hours

• This three-part course is designed to ground pastors and church leaders in the basic biblical principles of missions, evangelism, and discipleship so that the church can accomplish its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ by bringing lost people to Christ and equipping them for ministry with Christ.

4. TP701-Preaching I- 3 Credit Hours

• This course exposes students to the art and science of effective biblical preaching it will focus on learning to make the move from the ancient text to the contemporary world of the listener in ways that will enable preaching to be effective and transformational.

5. TP702-Preaching II – 3 Credit Hours

• This course integrates biblical, moral, systematic and pastoral theology. Students will learn the basics of preparing and delivering liturgical homily. (Pre-requisite TPO701).

6. TP703 – Transformational Leadership/Stewardship – 3 Credit Hours

• This course will emphasize leadership and group processes. Students will acquire and apply knowledge, skills and dispositions in an immediate and relevant setting. Topics include leadership process, group problem solving, leadership styles, decision making, power and influence, conflict management, ethical dilemmas, and community building.

1. MINISTRY FORMATION (MF)
2. This course will invite students to explore the nature of their own spiritual formation as well as introduce beliefs and practices of formation and community from Christian traditions of spirituality.

2. MF502- Introduction to Ministry Studies – 3 Credit Hours

• This focuses on diverse historical, theological and literary accounts of several forms of the vocation to ministry, approaches to contemporary issues in ministry, and the potential relations between the study of religion and the practice of ministry. Required of all entering M.DV. Studies.

3. MF601- Marriage and family – 3 Credit Hours

• This course will explore the significance of the most fundamental an intimate human relationship, marriage and the family. It considers a cross- cultural understanding, the individual dimension and the interpersonal interactions which occur. African marriage and family serve as a case study.

4. MF701- Research: Senior Seminar I – 3 Credit Hours

• This course in an introduction to research skills. Students will be exposed to the requisite theory of how to conduct a research and complete the research proposal in this semester.

5. MF702- Research: Senior Seminar II- 3 Credit Hours

• This course is a seminar focus on completing the research project. It will allow students to practice and apply the research skills learned in a professional way. Students will research topics relevant to their areas of interest within the context of their study under the supervision of a faculty advisor and develop an appropriate scope of work. (Pre-requisite MF701).

6. MF705- Pastoral Field Education I – 2 Credit Hours

• This course is directly related to the student’s supervised ministry placement each week. The classroom component serves as preparation for and reflection upon weekly ministry. The emphasis is on personal ministry preparation, working as part of a team, and development of ministry gifts and abilities.

7. MF706- Pastoral Field Education II- 4 Credit Hours

• This course focuses on student’s skill development and growth in the area of pastoral ministry building on the skills learned in the introductory pastoral practicum. Emphasis will be placed on continued on continued development of the practical skills required of a shepherd/pastor in a local church setting.

8. MF708- Church Leadership and Administration- 3 Credit Hours

• This course will focus on study of the servant leadership model as a basis for personal concepts of church and Christian ministry. By combining the requisite skills for a biblical concept of church administration, the student will explore appropriate models and formulate their personal leadership and administration style for Christian ministry.

1. ELECTIVES – EL
2. ESL506 – Interpersonal Relationship and Skills – Credit Hours

• This course addresses knowledge and skills needed for positive and productive relationships in career, community, and family settings. It emphasizes communication skills, leadership, teamwork, and collaboration.

2. EL600 – Conflict and Peace Management – 2 Credit Hours

• This course will focus on conflict as an inevitable part of human nature. Students will be exposed to key topics such as: Peace management, conflict resolution, prevention and peace education.

3. EL601 – Hebrew Prophets – 2 Credit Hours

• This course is an interpretation and study of the biblical Prophets in the Old Testament, and will focus on the life, teaching and ministry of each prophet.

4. EL602- Pauline Theology – 2 Credit Hours

• This course seeks to study the social – religious background of Paul as well as his conversion experience. It will also highlight his interpretation of Jesus and the Christian life, and the themes of reconciliation, justification, and hope for the future.

5. EL603 – Discipleship Strategies – 2 Credit Hours

• This course will empower Students to become creative and innovative in designing strategies for discipleship that can work in their local cultures and context. It will also equip students for leading ministries in a local church by exploring a variety of methods and approaches used in response to the Great Commission mandate.

6. EL604 – Ecumenism – 2 Credit Hours

• This is a study of ecumenical principles and practices, especially as manifested in a movement promoting cooperation and unity among religious groups. This course is designed to provide a better understanding of Christian unity through church ministry.

7. EL605 General Epistle – 2 Credit Hours

• A study of the Epistles is foundational for the understanding of God’s plan for the church an individual Christian living. This course will show how the epistle were written to both individual and the church. Consideration of each epistle will include background information, occasion, place and date of writing, as an exposition of the content of the letters.

8. EL701 – Apologetics 2 Credit Hours

• This course will expose students to the different proofs and convincing ways of presenting the gospel in light of the philosophies and world views of contemporary theologians with emphasis on Africa.

9. EL702 – Pastoral Theology – 2 Credit Hours

• This course identifies the underlying theory and practice of ministry as well as congregational study. It focuses on theoretical models for the organization and administration of resources available for Christian ministries under the direction of the church.