Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Multnomah’s M.Div. degree provides broad exposure to various aspects of vocational ministry. Students have the opportunity to develop skills in areas they may encounter in their ministry contexts such as pastoral care, preaching and teaching, discipleship, conflict transformation, counseling, and cultural engagement.

In addition to the standard track, we offer focused tracks in the areas of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care and Theological Studies. These tracks offer opportunities to emphasize development in areas that more closely align with what some students are being called into and/or have a preference for.

For people looking to focus their studies on the teaching and preaching aspects of pastoral ministry. Students in this track have course work in pastoral ministry while receiving further exposure to biblical languages, and biblical & theological studies. The program also provides students with a pathway for further academic study to pursue terminal degrees, ThM and Ph.D., respectively.

This track would suit students who plan to vocationally pursue careers in chaplaincy (such as, military, hospital, public safety, prison, elder care, and corporate) or care for others (inside and outside of a local church setting). This track works well for those who already have some biblical language knowledge and/or are less interested in biblical language study, and want to focus and cultivate their skills in counseling, administration, service, and interpersonal dynamics.

For those planning to go into vocational, institutional chaplaincy, there may be specific requirements to fulfill. Consult with the specific branches of the military about requirements for military chaplaincy. For hospital chaplaincy, determine what type of certification may be needed (such as, Clinical Pastoral Education, CPE). The MDiv program director can also assist with answering these questions.

Like other seminaries, Multnomah values the biblical languages to encourage and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the Bible. While we recognize the usefulness of the software for biblical languages, we do not offer classes on the use of these tools. We find that learning biblical languages can deepen our understanding of the biblical text and improve how we use resources that interact with Greek and Hebrew. Further, there are a number of free tutorials on the use of biblical language software so asking students to pay for this instruction is difficult to justify.

For a further understanding of how we view and approach learning biblical languages visit our pages on Greek and Hebrew. Multnomah built a respected biblical Hebrew language program. Drs. Kutz and Josberger have written Hebrew grammar and have sent students on for further academic studies.

The MDiv is a longer program (it can be completed in three years of full-time study) than the MACL (two years of full-time study). Basically, the MACL has no courses in a biblical language and fewer required courses in theology, counseling, and pastoral ministry.

In both the MDiv and MACL, electives offer students the opportunity to explore various areas of interest and there is flexibility to take courses in our graduate school – Counseling, Global Development & Justice, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

There are a number of reasons people enroll in seminary to earn a graduate-level degree – such as vocational training, which provides a foundation for further study (doctoral-level studies), personal enrichment, or requisite vocational preparation. Multnomah also offers non-degree graduate-level education for certificate programs in both the seminary and graduate school.

But why seminary, if this information can be found online for little to no cost? The advantage of a seminary education is, and not limited, to…:

· learn from experts in their field and discipline,

· ask questions and receive real-time answers which lead to further questions that are also addressed in real-time,

· receive knowledge that is “curated” and vetted by a trusted source(s),

· benefit from the work of believers who have gone before us,

· develop skills to think critically and synthesize concepts and ideas with someone who accompanies you in the learning process,

· learn from others about how to pass along the knowledge of what you are learning through mentoring and discipleship

· experience the relational dynamics that undergird learning about a relational God while cultivating a relational faith,

· participate in a mutual learning environment to benefit from the learned and lived experience of classmates and faculty,

· discover what we don’t know through educators that God has gifted and called into this particular aspect and setting of ministry, and

· to appreciate and cultivate the value of interdependence on the Body of Christ, in a setting of higher education and learning.

For various reasons, people may not be able to receive a formal seminary education. We also provide free and low-cost quality instruction through workshops, conferences, local church support, guest student status, and Multnomah Plus.

In addition to the options, standard, theological studies, and chaplaincy/pastoral care, Multnomah is worth considering because of our values and strengths. Our professors/instructors are also ministry practitioners and understand the importance of faith’s intersection with life. In addition, our faculty walk alongside our students and grow in faith, together.

We value and encourage relational, mental, and spiritual health. In a book about the prevalence of narcissism in the Church, Let Us Prey, the authors report that the number of narcissists (those who would be classified as having narcissistic personality disorder, NPD) in the general population ranges from 0.5 – 6% (pp. 23-24). In contrast, churches with pastors who are NPD are just a bit over 30% (31.2%, p. 114). We want our students to be able to identify unhealthy ministry situations while encouraging them to foster health in themselves and those around them.