Master of Divinity
A 3-year full-time flagship programme that develops leaders for ministries in churches, mission, parachurch organizations, and the public square.
Our Master of Divinity (MDiv) curriculum emphasises 4 kinds of competencies and capacities:
- Understanding Christian foundations – we incorporate some of the most robust biblical, church-historical, and theological training in Asia.
- Developing character in community – we integrate spiritual and character formation into our curriculum and intentionally cultivate spiritual, emotional, and moral maturity within a learning community.??
- Understanding cultural shifts – we emphasise biblical and contextual understanding of the rapidly changing world, so that the church’s response and outworking of the Gospel message is relevant and coherent.??
- Developing ministry skills – we develop competencies for reading and interpreting texts, preaching, counselling, teaching, and other skills needed for effective leadership and ministry.
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The MDiv also gives students the flexibility of taking courses in three focused tracks of Biblical Studies, Pastoral Ministries, and Intercultural Studies. Students may also opt for a General Studies track.
The Biblical
Studies Track
The Biblical Studies track focuses on Bible exegesis in preparation for ministries in teaching, preaching, and research.
The Pastoral Ministries Track
The Pastoral Ministries Track focuses on foundational understandings and skills in preparation for all-rounded pastoral leadership.
The Intercultural Studies Track
The Intercultural Studies Track focuses on missions studies and skills in preparation for field and home missions leadership.
Learning onsite within the SBC community is most effective and fruitful. However, the first year of the MDiv curriculum can be completed online, part-time/full-time. Those who opt for online studies may also participate in the Immersion Experience, where they can stay onsite at SBC for 1–2 weeks at the start of the semester and get to know their classmates and faculty in person.?
All students in this MDiv programme must complete the second and third years of the curriculum onsite. International students studying onsite are required to study full-time. Full-time students with financial needs may apply for a scholarship.
Prerequisites for Programme Admission
Academic Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or Bible College
- Applicants with a Polytechnic degree may apply to do a 30-credit Advanced Diploma bridging programme to qualify for admission
English Language Minimum Requirements
- ‘A’ Level: B4
- TOEFL: 80 (IBT)
- IELTS:? 6.0
General Requirements
- At least 24 years old
- Christian for at least 2 years
- Evidence of involvement in ministry
- Evidence of call to ministry and service
- Endorsement by church leadership
- *Online students: Min. internet speed of 20 Mbps, webcam, microphone
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of 92 credit hours of studies including field education
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
Curriculum
| First Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Old Testament Foundations | 3 |
| Hermeneutics | 3 |
| Biblical Greek I | 3 |
| Survey of Church History | 3 |
| Research and Writing | 1 |
|
Critical Thinking and Transformation |
1 |
| Field Education | 1 |
| 15 |
| Second Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Old Testament Studies I | 3 |
| New Testament Foundations | 3 |
| Biblical Greek II | 3 |
| Asian Church History | 2 |
| Homiletics I | 3 |
| Field Education | 1 |
| 15 |
| First Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Biblical Hebrew I | 3 |
| Old Testament Studies II | 3 |
| New Testament Studies I | 3 |
|
Introduction to Christian Spirituality |
2 |
|
New Testament Exegesis I OR Competency/Elective |
3 |
| Field Education | 1 |
| 15 |
| Second Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Biblical Hebrew II | 3 |
| New Testament Studies II | 3 |
| Systematic Theology I | 3 |
| Missiological Perspectives | 3 |
| Competency/Elective | 3 |
| Field Education | 1 |
| 16 |
| First Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Systematic Theology II | 3 |
|
Old Testament Exegesis I OR Competency/Elective |
3 |
| Competency/Elective | 3 |
| Competency/Elective | 3 |
| Shadow Internship | 2 |
| Field Education | 1 |
| 15 |
| Second Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Systematic Theology III | 3 |
| Homiletics II | 3 |
| Competency/Elective | 3 |
| Competency/Elective | 3 |
| Capstone Course | 3 |
| Field Education | 1 |
| 16 |
Denominational Studies
Students in our MDiv programmes who are from Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, or Presbyterian churches seeking ordination will have the option to replace an elective course with a Denominational Studies course offered outside SBC. The credits earned in the Denominational Studies course will be eligible for transfer to SBC.
Blended Learning at SBC
At SBC, we seek to build up our community through blended learning: designing synchronous and asynchronous learning activities using both physical and online platforms. Students may expect to be enriched with a variety of face-to-face and online learning experiences during their studies at SBC.