Preparation for a Lifetime of Ministry: Southeastern Announces Changes to the MDiv

In its April 15 meeting, the Southeastern Board of Trustees unanimously approved changes to the MDiv core, along with changes to the Master of Arts (MA) core and other curricular revisions.

The new MDiv core includes the following revisions:

• Prioritizing Scripture: Southeastern’s biblical exposition and biblical studies classes already include a heavy emphasis on hermeneutics, the study of the proper interpretation of the Bible. Now, the new MDiv core includes hermeneutics as a stand-alone class, providing our students with an even deeper foundation in biblical interpretation.
• Integrating evangelism and discipleship: In the Great Commission Jesus pairs evangelism with discipleship: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19a). The new MDiv core combines evangelism and personal discipleship and disciple making into one course, giving students a greater understanding of how evangelism and discipleship complement each other. These changes equip students to integrate them in their own ministries.
• Adding an elective to the core: The new MDiv includes an extra elective within the core, so students can customize their degree with a course that fits their unique interests and ministry needs.

“As the cultural landscape shifts, Southeastern remains rooted in the infallible, inerrant, all-sufficient word of God,” said Southeastern President Danny Akin. “Our new MDiv core reflects this commitment, and this love for the Scriptures drives our Great Commission focus.”

Provost Scott Pace concurred, highlighting the importance of the Scriptures to students’ ministry preparations. “Southeastern’s updated MDiv will prepare students for a lifetime of Great Commission ministry. These revisions demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the Scriptures as the foundation for every field of study to equip students for every field of ministry.”

These revisions demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the Scriptures as the foundation for every field of study to equip students for every field of ministry.

Southeastern MDiv students will still be able to select a 12-hour specialization of their choosing. These changes to the core increase the Southeastern MDiv from 82 hours to 84 hours.

“The revised MDiv is also designed to train students to navigate contemporary dynamics of local church ministry with added curricular flexibility,” Pace added. “Combining the updated core with their preferred specialization allows students to tailor their MDiv degree according to God’s calling on their lives.”

The Board of Trustees also approved comparable changes to the MA core. Much like the MDiv, the new MA core adds a hermeneutics course and features the new integrated evangelism and discipleship course. In addition, a Christian missions course has been added to the MA core, increasing the MA core from 37 to 39 hours.

In these changes, Southeastern’s Great Commission focus remains the same. “What I think makes Southeastern’s MDiv program stand out is that we approach the MDiv under the umbrella of the Great Commission,” said Akin. “The Great Commission is King Jesus’s final marching orders for the Church, and because we are servants of the Church, we design our MDiv program to help students grow in obedience and commitment to the Great Commission. The MDiv at Southeastern is not an end in itself; it is a means to fulfilling the Great Commission.”

To learn more about the MDiv and MA at Southeastern Seminary and how you can be equipped to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission, visit sebts.edu/degrees.