Overview:

The Master of Divinity is Great Commission University’s flagship four-year program designed to prepare future ministers for real-world church planting and specialized ministry in twenty-first-century Christian missions. This program provides students with core biblical and theological instruction, leadership training, and a range of practical skills necessary to perform ministerial duties in church and various ministries in a global context.

As the entrance qualification for ordained pastoral ministry, the Master of Divinity degree seeks to prepare and equip students for a fruitful life in ministry. Distinguishing it from other programs, GCU’s M.Div. program is formatted to integrate theological, biblical and, mission-critical practical work experiences. In order to prepare future pastors and ministers to face dynamic real world challenges, GCU’s M.Div. students choose concentrations which lead to specific ministry internship experiences that in turn connect and expose them to existing challenges in the mission field. 

Learning Outcomes

In the context of GCU’s mission, graduates of the Master of Divinity program will:

• Possess a robust scholarly foundation enabling advanced exploration and analysis of the Christian faith.
• Have formed hermeneutically and theologically sound exegesis.
• Be skillful in communicating theological truths.
• Have integrated and applied ministry skills.
• Consistently promote commitment to participating in the Great Commission.
• Demonstrate personal engagement in the Great Commission.
• Demonstrate a profound understanding of spiritual formation through their commitment to spiritual disciplines.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate with a Master of Divinity degree from GCU, the student must:

Pass a total of 136 quarter credits:

• 100 quarter credits Master of Divinity Core
• 36 quarter credits in their chosen Concentration

Additionally graduates will have:

• Maintained a GPA of 3.0 (B average) or above in course work applicable to the degree.
• Received a passing mark for all Christian Service and Chapel requirements.
• Completed all degree requirements within the time limit, unless extenuating circumstances exist.
• Satisfied all financial responsibilities of the University.

(Students are subject to the Master of Divinity degree requirements of the catalog year in which they entered unless a change to a more recent catalog year has been approved.)

Time Limit

The Master of Divinity degree is typically fulfilled in four (4) years of study. Except under extenuating circumstances, all requirements for the degree must be completed within six (6) years of the date of enrollment. Students who have not completed the requirements within the six-year period must apply with the Registrar’s Office for an enrollment extension every term, up to a maximum of seven (7) years from the date of enrollment.