Program Overview
Lipscomb University’s Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program helps you expand your knowledge of Scripture and the theological traditions of Christianity across the world through a mix of online and in-person courses. This hybrid program is the most comprehensive pastoral degree at the Hazelip School of Theology.
The program provides biblical knowledge, missional leadership training and practical ministry experience that empowers you to grow into a spiritual leader who can support lives of faith in your community. Whether you are working toward a formal ordination in your particular faith community or simply seeking a thorough training credential that can sharpen your abilities, you will be prepared for the Kingdom work you are called to lead through our M.Div. program.
Master of Divinity Program Outcomes
With the aim to cultivate spiritually reflective leaders, the M.Div. degree program emphasizes the integration of theological learning with the skills needed to address the complex issues encountered in the practice of ministry. Through rigorous theological training, you can achieve:
- A deeper faith in Jesus Christ and the development of a spirituality that will sustain life in ministry;
- Competence in the interpretation of the Bible;
- A critical knowledge of the Christian tradition and abilities to help the church shape its future in light of that tradition;
- Skills to lead the church in mission within a rapidly changing and diverse cultural context;
- Competence to practice day-to-day ministry with integrity.
Pursue Your Calling with a M.Div. Degree from Lipscomb
Want to nurture Christian communities and share the word of God? Join us at the Hazelip School of Theology to earn your M.Div. degree and pursue your calling. We provide guidance, spiritual support and in-depth ministry study for you to become a true servant leader. Apply to Lipscomb University’s M.Div. today to start your impactful journey or request information to learn more!
Admissions Requirements
- Application with $50 nonrefundable application fee
- Three letters of recommendation: one from a college or university administrator or professor, one from a professional supervisor/employer and one from a church leader or minister
- Official transcripts emailed to gradadmissions@lipscomb.edu or mailed to Graduate Admissions (One University Park Dr., Nashville, TN 37204)
- Bachelor's degree
- Undergraduate or graduate GPA of at least 2.75
- 750-1,000-word essay discussing the applicant's religious heritage, career goals and how Hazelip School of Theology might contribute to the achievement of those pursuits
Graduate credit hours may be transferred from another ATS-accredited institution. A maximum of 12 hours will be counted toward the M.A.C.M., a maximum of 21 hours towards the M.T.S., and a maximum of 48 hours for the M.Div. degree. The director or appropriate faculty member of the graduate program will evaluate the course(s) being proposed for transfer and make a determination of suitability. No course with a grade below a “B” will be considered for transfer. No more than half of a student’s hours from a completed degree may be transferred. For transfer credit questions from non-ATS accredited institutions, please contact the director of the Hazelip School of Theology for more information.
International Students
International students are required to be proficient in written and oral English before enrolling. A score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of approximately 570 on the paper-based test, or 80 on the iBT, or an IELTS exam with an overall band score of 6.5 is the minimum accepted for admittance. For more information, see International Students admissions policy.
Courses
With a transformative curriculum design, the Master of Divinity program offers two learning models for students to choose from—cohort and traditional. The part-time cohort model focuses on the integration of various theological disciplines with real contexts of ministry, while the traditional model provides flexibility for you to customize your curriculum to your chosen area of study.
Advanced standing may be granted for as many as one-third of the total hours (approx. 24) required for the M.Div. degree. Only those who have undergraduate theological education from outstanding regionally-accredited colleges and universities will qualify. Any course for which advanced standing is granted must be a reasonable substitute for the course required by the Hazelip School of Theology, and the student must have gained an “A” or a “B.” The granting of such credit is subject to the decision of the HST director and faculty assessor.
Faculty at the Hazelip School of Theology will assess which undergraduate coursework is suitable for potential credit. The student will be notified before the examination which undergraduate courses are being considered and how they correspond with the graduate courses listed above.
The following graduate courses are typically granted credit in the advanced standing process:
GB 5483 - Introduction to Theology
GB 5603 - Introduction to Ministry
GB 5083 - Old Testament Critical Interpretation
GB 5093 - New Testament Critical Interpretation
GB 5493 - Global Christianity
GB 5043 - Biblical Hebrew I or GB 5033 - Biblical Greek I
GB 5063 - Biblical Hebrew II or GB 5073 - Biblical Greek II
Contact Evan Richardson at evan.richardson@lipscomb.edu for further information.
Cohort Model vs. Traditional Model
Cohort Model
Under the part-time cohort model, the sequence of courses weaves together Scripture, theology and ministry. The program provides you the opportunity to serve in a ministry setting as you work through the curriculum. This integration helps you really understand the connections between formal theological training and your faith community. You’ll finish the degree with clearer professional practices that are biblically and theologically informed and skills that will adapt to the issues you may encounter in your present and future work.
Traditional Model
With the traditional model, you gain the same first-class comprehensive learning but with greater flexibility in how you construct the experience. Allowing students to complete the program part-time or full-time, the traditional format offers 15 hours of elective space for you to customize your learning to a particular area, whether that’s in Scripture, theology or specialized ministry skills. With various delivery formats for your classes, you will be able to access a quality Hazelip education even if you are not in the immediate vicinity of Lipscomb University's locations in Nashville, Tennessee.
Tuition & Aid
At Lipscomb University, we strive to make education affordable. Tuition is currently $540* per credit hour, however, all students in the Hazelip School of Theology receive a 25% discount, which brings the cost per credit hour to $405 per credit hour. We also provide various financial aid programs to assist you in affording your tuition.
*Note: Graduate tuition rates may increase annually, effective at the start of the summer term.
