Prepare for Ministry with an M.Div.

Preparing for practical, effective ministry starts with a journey of personal transformation, and Azusa Pacific can help you take that next step with the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program, which equips pastors and lay leaders for professional ministry in the Church. This program gives students basic training in theological and ministerial studies through rigorous coursework and ongoing supervised ministry, preparing them to transform the world with Christ. The program is also available with an emphasis in Biblical Studies, and in Korean and Spanish as well as English.

Program Highlights

  • Learn to navigate the complexities of pastoral work through on-site internships.
  • Develop transformational mentoring relationships with faculty who are equipped with academic credentials and years of ministerial experience.
  • Benefit from an excellent professor-to-student ratio of 1:20.
  • Geared toward the pastor seeking ordination and possibly interested in a D.Min.
  • Earn the recognized theology degree for ordination.
  • Develop foundational understanding of the basics that comprise theological study: Bible, language, ministry, ethics, and practicum training.
  • Institute patterns of effective ministry through a combination of classroom instruction, peer-to-peer learning, and practical application.
  • Utilize resources from Church history and systematic theology to shape contemporary ministry.
  • Gain global awareness of the Church and its ministry.

Learn more about the program format.

Program Outcomes

The M.Div. program prepares ministry graduates who:

  • Model a holy life through spiritual disciplines reflecting the Wesleyan heritage of faith and love.
  • Interpret Scripture with reverent criticism, theological insight, and constructive imagination, beginning with the inductive method of Bible study, for the edification of the Church.
  • Think theologically through the Wesleyan quadrilateral (Scripture, Church tradition, reason, and experience) in a manner that is faithful to the past and responsive to the present.
  • Develop competency in the pastoral responsibilities of preaching, teaching, leadership, and pastoral care.
  • Analyze various cultural constructs and global issues in order to provide transforming leadership for the Church.

Spiritual Life

The faculty of Azusa Pacific Seminary believe that the growth of the student’s spiritual life is foundational to effective ministry. Accordingly, the development of spiritual life is integral to every course. In addition, there are opportunities for the seminary community to pray together and share experiences in Jesus Christ. Students and faculty are encouraged to attend the university chapels as well as special services and lectures.

Accreditation

Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Azusa Pacific Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).

ATS-Approved Degrees

Azusa Campus
Doctor of Ministry
Master of Divinity
Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies
Master of Arts (Theological Studies)

Los Angeles Regional Site
Korean Doctor of Ministry
Korean Master of Divinity
Korean Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies
Master of Arts (Theological Studies)
Master of Arts in Transformational Urban Leadership

San Diego Regional Campus
Master of Divinity
Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies
Master of Arts (Theological Studies)

The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
Phone: (412) 788-6505
Fax: (412) 788-6510
ats.edu

WASC Senior College and University Commission
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, CA 94501
Phone: (510) 748-9001
Fax: (510) 748-9797
wascsenior.org

University Reputation

Azusa Pacific University secured a place in the most prestigious category of U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2017 rankings, placing at No. 183 in Tier One of the National Universities category. In addition, The Princeton Review named APU as 1 of 124 institutions in the 2017 Best Colleges in the West, Forbes ranked APU among the best schools in the nation for 2017, and G.I. Jobs named APU a Military Friendly School for 2017, placing APU among the top 15 percent of schools in the country helping military students reach their education dreams.

Note: This information is current for the 2017-18 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Please refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.