MDIV DEGREE OUTLINE
Fuller’s Master of Divinity program has been fully redesigned to offer unmatched academic preparation for agile, effective church leadership in an ever-changing world. A new set of Shared Foundations courses will develop students’ sense of calling and provide an interdisciplinary grounding for advanced courses. Further, a renewed commitment to diversity means rebuilding each course from the ground up to shift pedagogical techniques and incorporate diverse voices. The new MDiv program will prove to be an indispensable education for impact in students’ vocations, teaching how to incorporate concepts into real life ministry as they go.
Requiring a total of 120 quarter units (most classes are 4 quarter units), Fuller’s MDiv can be completed in 2½ to 3 years of full-time study (12 units per quarter). Fuller’s 120 quarter unit Master of Divinity program is equivalent to an 80 semester credit Master of Divinity program at other institutions. Both will take the same amount of time and effort to complete.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES - 24 UNITS
SF506 Vocational Formation in Seminary*
While all Christians share an overarching call to God’s work in the world, how are each of our vocations discerned, developed, and sustained across a lifetime and in our particular context? This course considers “calling” through historical Christian practices that include discernment, lament, and stewardship. Students explore the values and assumptions about vocation present in their setting. By integrating course resources with their lived experience, students reflect on their vocational journey in and for their social and cultural context.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
SF501 Foundations of Psychological Science: On Being Human*
Drawing upon the leading edge of psychological science, this course aims to introduce students to the most helpful psychological paradigms for understanding what it means to be and become more fully human, not merely as individuals, but as thriving persons-in-relation. As an interdisciplinary and practical course, findings of psychological science are discussed in light of theology and are translated into practical tools and strategies to inform the psychological and spiritual growth of the student and to equip them to nurture flourishing in those entrusted to their care. As such, its central focus is on the person of the minister/theologian/Christian as the primary site for engaging in psychological and theological reflection and the primary tool for effective Christian leadership.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
SF502 Introduction to Global Christian Traditions*
What is theology? And what are the implications of theology for the practice of history, ethics, public life, and Christian witness? The theological task involves entering into the centuries-long and worldwide conversation of the church and her members regarding what it means to live faithfully in the present in light of how God has moved in the past. This course is designed to provide an orientation to a series of critical issues, events, and figures in church history and theology, reaching from early Christianity through the Middle Ages and European Reformations to the modern world. In doing so, it aims to equip students with a foundational understanding of the development and discourses of Christian doctrine and history.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
SF503 Living Missiologically*
How is it that we might live our lives deeply formed by Missiological understanding? Living Missiologically is an integrative, intersectional, and interdisciplinary course which introduces three aspects of missiology to facilitate personal missiological formation. First, students will explore Trinitarian perspectives on the reign of God, as they also explore the historical global development of the church in the world. Second, the identity and practices of Christian mission as a people called, gathered, and sent by God are introduced. In accomplishing the second task the roles of culture, epistemic definitions of truth as a message of Christianity, as well as the nature of the relationship of God with creation (including humans) is explored. Third, students will develop new skills for cultural engagements combining the Bible, theology, history, the social sciences, and the church’s practices as tools. The disciplines of social sciences (including cultural, religious, economic, and political studies) are particularly engaged as partners in understanding the church in its mission context. This course will interrogate past and current perspectives within missiology and show that the diverse contexts of mission produce a variety of ways of reasoning missiologically. Finally, in this course, students will enact historic Christian disciplines necessitated by this distinctive identity (worship, community, friendship, inculturation, witness, mercy, advocacy, creation care, inter-religious dialogue, and reconciliation) in order to cultivate a missiologically reflective practice of Christian living in the world.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
OT500 Old Testament Introduction*
This course orients students to the literature of the Old Testament in its various literary, historical, and theological contexts and to Old Testament interpretation in service of Christian practice. The books of Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, 2 Samuel, Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel will be the focus of study.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
SF505 Foundations of Practical Theology*
The purpose of this course is to teach students how to move from specific situations to theological reflection, and then to action. The course emphasizes the need for students to learn the ability to minister in Jesus’s name even in new and changing social circumstances. Students will learn how to exegete social circumstances in order to discern the theological issue(s) at stake in them and they will learn how to make spiritual sense of those situations in a way that leads to faithful action.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
MDiv CORE - 96 UNITS
BIBLICAL LANGUAGES - 8 UNITS TO 16 UNITS
LG500 Hebrew Tools for Biblical Interpretation*
This course offers a limited introduction to biblical Hebrew, including the writing system, basic lexicon, morphology, and syntax. The emphasis is on the responsible employment standard reference works, commentaries, and Bible software to the practice of Old Testament interpretation in ministry contexts.
Note: Students wishing a more detailed, two-part introduction to biblical Hebrew may choose to take LG502 Beginning Hebrew A & B (8 units) instead of LG500. This sequence covers the elements of Hebrew vocabulary, morphology and grammar. It is offered as a two-quarter course, four units per quarter, but may also be offered as an intensive course in one quarter. For MDiv students, the 4 units of credit for LG502B typically count as general electives.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
LG510 Greek Tools for Biblical Interpretation*
This course provides an introduction to and practice in the use of exegetical Greek for ministry. It emphasizes an inductive approach to working with the Greek New Testament and important linguistic matters that influence understanding New Testament texts. The course stresses the use of standard tools for Greek study (including software) instead of extensive memorization of forms and vocabulary in order to focus on the practical use of the Greek New Testament.*
Note: Students wishing a more detailed, two-part introduction to biblical Greek may choose to take LG512 Beginning Greek A & B (8 units) instead of LG510. This sequence covers elements of New Testament Greek vocabulary, morphology and grammar. It is offered as a two-quarter course, four units per quarter, but may also be offered as an intensive course in one quarter. For MDiv students, the 4 units of credit for LG512B typically count as general electives.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
BIBLICAL STUDIES - 20 UNITS
NT500 New Testament Introduction*
New Testament Introduction orients students to the literature of the New Testament in its various literary, historical, and theological contexts and to New Testament interpretation in service of Christian practice.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
Exegetical study of the text of a New Testament book or books or portions of a New Testament book in Greek.
Or
Exegetical study of the Hebrew text of an Old Testament book or portions of an Old Testament book.
Choose two courses in Biblical Studies. At least one of these courses must be in the opposite testament of the exegetical coursework. (For instance, when a student takes an exegetical course in the area of New Testament, at least one of the biblical studies electives should focus on Old Testament studies.)
THEOLOGIZING - 16 UNITS (FOCUS ON CHURCH HISTORY OR SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY)
CHURCH HISTORY FOCUS
CH 500 Early Church History*
A survey of the early church from the post-apostolic fathers through the Council of Chalcedon.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
Choose one of the following two courses:
CH 502 Medieval and Reformation History*
The further development of the church, especially in the West, from Gregory the Great through the Reformation
CH 504 The Modern Church in a Global Historical Context*
This course introduces the more important themes and events in the life of the church around the world from the seventeenth through the late twentieth centuries. Beginning with the post-Reformation period, students will survey the growth and contributions of the church in Europe and throughout the world (with occasional glimpses at the United States). Attention will be given to many of the important historical, theological, and cultural developments that have shaped (or been shaped by) specific regional and global historical contexts.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
ST505 Trinity, Revelation, and Salvation*
Systematic Theology 1 is a survey of systematic (doctrinal or constructive) theology that focuses on the doctrines of the revelation, Trinity (patrology, christology, pneumatology), and salvation. In keeping with systematic theology’s nature as an integrative discipline, the course considers carefully biblical, historical, philosophical, and contemporary theological materials, with a special focus on global, contextual, and diversity issues. Throughout, interdisciplinary connections are pursued and investigated (even beyond theological disciplines). The implications of the trinitarian faith to current issues such as liberation, justice, equality, gender, environment, and religious plurality are carefully discussed with the ultimate goal of helping the students learn to practice “embodied” theological thinking for the sake of the diverse ministry settings in the Global Church.
ST506 Creation, Church, and Consummation*
Systematic Theology 2 is a survey of systematic (doctrinal or constructive) theology that focuses on the doctrines of the creation, providence and divine action; theological anthropology, church and her mission, and eschatology. In keeping with systematic theology’s nature as an integrative discipline, the course considers carefully biblical, historical, philosophical, and contemporary theological materials, with a special focus on global, contextual, and diversity issues. Throughout, interdisciplinary connections are pursued and investigated (even beyond theological disciplines). The implications of the trinitarian faith to current issues such as liberation, justice, equality, gender, environment, and religious plurality are carefully discussed with the ultimate goal of helping the students learn to practice “embodied” theological thinking for the sake of the diverse ministry settings in the Global Church.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
Choose a course from a wide variety of course offerings in these areas.
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOCUS
ST505 Trinity, Revelation, and Salvation*
Systematic Theology 1 is a survey of systematic (doctrinal or constructive) theology that focuses on the doctrines of the revelation, Trinity (patrology, christology, pneumatology), and salvation. In keeping with systematic theology’s nature as an integrative discipline, the course considers carefully biblical, historical, philosophical, and contemporary theological materials, with a special focus on global, contextual, and diversity issues. Throughout, interdisciplinary connections are pursued and investigated (even beyond theological disciplines). The implications of the trinitarian faith to current issues such as liberation, justice, equality, gender, environment, and religious plurality are carefully discussed with the ultimate goal of helping the students learn to practice “embodied” theological thinking for the sake of the diverse ministry settings in the Global Church.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
ST506 Creation, Church, and Consummation*
Systematic Theology 2 is a survey of systematic (doctrinal or constructive) theology that focuses on the doctrines of the creation, providence and divine action; theological anthropology, church and her mission, and eschatology. In keeping with systematic theology’s nature as an integrative discipline, the course considers carefully biblical, historical, philosophical, and contemporary theological materials, with a special focus on global, contextual, and diversity issues. Throughout, interdisciplinary connections are pursued and investigated (even beyond theological disciplines). The implications of the trinitarian faith to current issues such as liberation, justice, equality, gender, environment, and religious plurality are carefully discussed with the ultimate goal of helping the students learn to practice “embodied” theological thinking for the sake of the diverse ministry settings in the Global Church.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
Choose one of the following courses:
CH 500 Early Church History*
A survey of the early church from the post-apostolic fathers through the Council of Chalcedon.
CH 502 Medieval and Reformation History*
The further development of the church, especially in the West, from Gregory the Great through the Reformation
CH 504 The Modern Church in a Global Historical Context*
This course introduces the more important themes and events in the life of the church around the world from the seventeenth through the late twentieth centuries. Beginning with the post-Reformation period, students will survey the growth and contributions of the church in Europe and throughout the world (with occasional glimpses at the United States). Attention will be given to many of the important historical, theological, and cultural developments that have shaped (or been shaped by) specific regional and global historical contexts.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
Choose a course from a wide variety of course offerings in these areas.
Christian Ethics - 4 UNITS
Samples of courses previously offered in this area:
ET 501 Christian Ethics*
A foundational course in Christian ethics that studies core Christian ethical vision, values, and convictions (telos, norms, and virtues) shaping and guiding Christian moral agency, decisions, and ecclesial practices. The course discusses the methods of ethical decisions, authority of Scripture, formation of moral agency, norms of love and justice, together with the issues of economic, racial, and ecological justice, the sanctity of life, sexual faithfulness, and violence and peacemaking with special attention to global, pluralistic contexts of Christian ministry today.
ET 513 Perspectives on Social Ethics*
An exploration of the relationship between biblical faith and contemporary social and political life, with special attention to current patterns of evangelical engagement with politics in the United States and around the world. The course will survey the diverse forms of contemporary evangelical political engagement as well as the varied content of evangelical views on selected public issues, including human rights, the environment, sexuality and family issues, poverty, church-state concerns, and war.
ET 517 Politics and the Global Church*
This course will provide students with an introduction to the important voices and debates surrounding the topic of faith, politics, and cultural diversity in the global church.
ET 520 Biblical and Practical Peacemaking*
The way of Jesus in the New Testament and his message of the breakthroughs of the reign of God centrally include the way of peacemaking. We will seek to deepen our understanding of that way and our ability to teach it and model it. We will compare major present-day ethical positions—nonviolence, just war, and just peacemaking—as they relate to overcoming terrorism, preventing nuclear war, peace in the Middle East, and practical peacemaking among church members, including role-playing conflict resolution within churches. And we will study how to begin inward/outward journey small groups in churches with a mission of following Jesus in peacemaking.
ET 521 Sexuality and Ethics*
Popular Western culture is highly sexualized; our identities have become hitched to our sexuality, including our sexual practices or “preferences.” Contemporary Western Christian culture is generally muddled about how our sexuality matters for our discipleship; we often unknowingly adopt the assumptions of our broader culture and fail to reflect on the implications of doing so for our life and witness. This course explores our sexuality from a theological perspective and encourages development of an alternative vision for how our sexuality matters for our personal discipleship and communal witness.
ET 522 Christian Ethical Traditions*
Liberationist, Evangelical, and Emergent. Developing a strong Christian ethic means being aware of key traditions that influence our approaches to ethics. This is because particular ethical traditions face specific cultural, moral, and political challenges and responsibilities. This course will explore key portions of the Christian ethical landscape, with special focus upon Liberationist (e.g., African-American, Latino/a, and Feminist ethics), Evangelical (including Protestant influences of major Evangelical traditions), and Emergent church perspectives. Students will be invited to engage these perspectives and enter into dialogue in such a way that allows a generous conversation with these traditions in relation to the student’s own background and influences.
ET 528 Creation Care and Sabbath Economics*
In a time of unprecedented ecological crisis and economic inequality that threaten the sanctity of God’s creation and human life, all Christians are called to the faithful stewardship of creation care and witness to God’s justice. This course studies the theological and ethical grounds and directives of creation care and Sabbath economics that inform our personal and corporate responsibility as the followers of Jesus. The study includes 1) an analysis of the detrimental impact of global capitalism on the ecology and 2) an exploration of appropriate spiritual formation, communal practices, and public policy proposals of creation care and the Sabbath economics in local, national, and global contexts.
ET 533 Christian Discipleship in a Secular Society*
This class explores “secular” conceptions of what is suitable and pleasing in various arenas—economics, politics, ecology, sexuality, and ethnicity. We also discuss the importance of having a theology of suffering and evil as it pertains to these subjects. We will develop an explicitly Scripture-shaped vision of the world, so that we might worship God truthfully and participate in Christ’s ongoing work of creating us and all creation anew.
ET 535 The Ethics of Life and Death*
This course considers ethical concerns arising at the beginning life (e.g. prenatal screening, abortion, infertility, reproductive technologies, embryonic stem cell research), through chronic conditions and urgent health crises, and finally considers medicalization of our dying process. Given the cultural distance of the biblical world from our biotechnological society, some find it challenging to know how Scripture informs our relationship to medicine and health care. This course investigates secular and religious approaches while assuming that the Scripture and the Christian tradition remain central for living faithfully as embodied creatures.
ET 543 The Theology and Ethics of Martin Luther King, Jr.*
The aim of the course is to study King’s key theological and ethical motifs and the distinctive characteristics of his spiritual formation and public ministry in shaping our own ministerial and public leadership in today’s religious, cultural and political contexts. In particular, the course focuses on King’s communal and political spirituality and ethics as they are related to his ideas of God, the beloved community, humanity, love, justice, and the mission of the church, exploring his enduring relevance and legacy in the global era.
ET 545 Theology and Ethics in Asian-American Contexts*
This course studies emerging theologies and ethics of Asian American Christianity. Using an interdisciplinary approach, it examines distinctive social and historical contexts, cultural heritages and values of Asian American communities in a critical conversation with Scripture and Christian traditions. Major themes and topics include, among others, immigration and transnationalism, legacy and influence of Confucianism, Pan Asian Americanism, racialization and identity development and construction, and intergenerational and gender conflicts.
ET 551 Ethics of Diversity in Unity*
Drawing from sociological, biblical, and historical sources, this course first seeks to comprehend differences and interpret them theologically. We will articulate an ethic of diversity that does not mirror secular visions of multiculturalism, relativism, isolationism, nor assimilationism, but rather one that aims at the building up of each member of Christ’s diverse body for shared work and faithful witness.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
Ministry & Christian Formation - 24 UNITS
Any youth ministry course (YF prefix) or one of the two following courses:
CF502 The Art and Practice of Teaching*
This course introduces students to the art and practice of teaching as a praxis of theology, with significant attention to group and individual crafting and performance of teaching. Teaching, including the shaping of learning environments, is a mode of doing practical theology that is attentive to the calling of the church to participate in God’s initiatives. Major themes include formation (congregational, spiritual, and missional), constructivist learning design, developmental learning principles, action learning, and cross cultural learning.
CF561 Teaching and Learning with Adults*
This course focuses on teaching as a theological praxis, understood as the interface of teaching and the creation of learning organizations. This course on teaching and learning, focused on adults, is an extended conversation in practical theology between students and the professor, which is shaped by the vocation of the church to be attentive to God’s initiatives and to participate with God in diverse contexts. Major themes include formation, constructivist learning design, developmental learning principles, action learning, and cross cultural learning. The course includes group and individual crafting and performance of teaching.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
Samples of previously offered course options:
LD 500 Leadership*
This course is a survey of leadership that introduces the student to the practice of Christian leadership in both congregational contexts and in contexts beyond the congregation (e.g. nonprofits). The course will give specific attention to intercultural leadership.
YF 502 Leadership in Youth Ministry*
Strategies for implementing a youth ministry: recruitment, budgeting, administration, planning.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
Samples of previously offered course options:
PM 503 Pastoral Theology*
Theology of the ministry, theology and conduct of worship, liturgy, hymnody, parish responsibilities and procedures, church administration, community relations and ministerial ethics. MDiv core: MIN6
PM 559 Fundamentals of Chaplaincy*
This course provides an overview of the nature and history of the chaplain’s identity, purpose, and functional roles. You will examine the biblical and theological foundations of a ministry of presence comprising the core of chaplaincy ministry. You also will review the various types of chaplaincy and explore the commonalities, distinctives and expectations of military, health care, public safety, correctional, sports, campus and disaster relief chaplains. Additionally, the course will develop biblical-theological knowledge, skills and abilities for ministry leadership in chaplaincy. Supplemental areas of expertise will be introduced at a basic level focusing on specialized skills in pastoral, caregiver and emotional/spiritual support for a chaplain. The emphasis is to develop a basic understanding of how chaplaincy impacts organizations with the Gospel message in military, institutional and organizational communities. (from Summer 2017 ECD description).
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
EV500 The Art of Evangelism*
The aim of this course is to communicate a vision for evangelism based on the paradigm of spiritual pilgrimage. In this light, the variety of ways in which people start moving toward Jesus will be considered (Quest); as will the nature and character of conversion (Commitment); and the subsequent process of spiritual growth (Formation). All this will be placed in a biblical and historical context. This theoretical foundation will then provide the background for a multifaceted discussion of how one goes about planning and executing a viable, on-going, church-based program of evangelism.
EV505 Witness and Justice
This course will introduce students to an understanding of social and public ministry as an expression of evangelism, discipleship, and spirituality. Students will develop biblical, theological and social ethical reflection on the mission of the Church and her public witness and ministry with specific attention towards justice.
EV 514 Urban Evangelism*
In this course we will examine evangelism from a historical and a contemporary perspective. We will rely heavily on perspectives from Scripture to inform our inquiry. Various strategies in urban evangelism will also be considered in addition to visiting local ministries that are doing what we are studying.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
PR500 Homiletics*
Both theological and practical questions about the nature of preaching are explored and discussed. A practicum element is an essential part of this course.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
Samples of previously offered course options:
PR 528 Preaching in the Traditions*
PR517 is designed as a 4-unit practicum in preaching that follows PR500 in the sequence of required preaching courses. The course provides students with an opportunity to work the “Developing” and “Mastery” levels of competence by preparing, preaching, listening to, responding to, and assessing sermons in a classroom setting. Instructors lead students through the following steps: assessing one’s prior preaching experience; setting personal goals for the class; preparing and preaching sermons; receiving feedback on sermons and engaging in self - assessment; making specific plans for continued growth and improvement; reflecting on one’s experience during the class; setting goals for continued learning and growth in preaching after completion of the class. This course will emphasize preaching for funerals, weddings, and holidays.
PR 535 Preaching the Bible as Scripture*
This course provides opportunities for practicing and reflecting upon preaching from Scripture as a unified witness to the God of Israel that finds its center in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Integrating biblical, theological, and pastoral exegesis, this course cultivates habits of reading, thinking, and speaking appropriate to building up communities of disciples in the service of God’s mission. PR535 is designed as a 4-unit practicum in preaching that follows PR500 in the sequence of required preaching courses. The course provides students with an opportunity to work the “Developing” and “Mastery” levels of competence by preparing, preaching, listening to, responding to, and assessing sermons in a classroom setting. Instructors lead students through the following steps: assessing one’s prior preaching experience; setting personal goals for the class; preparing and preaching sermons; receiving feedback on sermons and engaging in self- assessment; making specific plans for continued growth and improvement; reflecting on one’s experience during the class; setting goals for continued learning and growth in preaching after completion of the class.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
Electives or Concentration Courses - 16 UNITS to 24 UNITS
APPRENTICESHIP - 0 UNITS
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