Karlstadt Theological Seminary

Graduate professional degree

Master of Divinity

M.Div. · Online

A comprehensive professional graduate degree preparing biblically grounded, spiritually mature, and missionally engaged servant-leaders for faithful ministry in the Church, academy, and society.

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Degree awarded

Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Total credits

78 semester credit hours

Program length

3 years full-time

Delivery

Online · 26 courses

Program overview

A rigorous formation for pastoral leadership

The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is the premier professional graduate degree for pastoral leadership, Christian ministry, theological scholarship, and vocational service in the Church and society. Designed according to the standards of leading theological institutions and seminaries, the M.Div. at Karlstadt Theological Seminary provides comprehensive preparation in biblical studies, historical theology, systematic theology, ethics, preaching, leadership, spiritual formation, and practical ministry.

The program integrates rigorous academic study with ministerial formation, enabling students to faithfully interpret Scripture, articulate Christian doctrine, lead congregations, engage contemporary culture, and participate effectively in the Church's mission.

Students are prepared for pastoral ministry, church planting, chaplaincy, missionary service, Christian leadership, nonprofit ministry, and advanced academic studies in theology and related disciplines.

Graduate formation

Program mission

To form biblically grounded, theologically informed, spiritually mature, and missionally engaged servant-leaders for faithful ministry in the Church, academy, and society.

78 semester credit hours

Degree requirements

The 78-credit Master of Divinity integrates biblical and theological study, formation and leadership, practical ministry experience, electives, and concentrated graduate research.

Biblical and theological foundations

20 credits

Interpretation, history, theology, formation, and communication for Christian leadership.

Advanced departmental studies

20 credits

Advanced competency across biblical studies, theology, ethics, preaching, and formation.

Core formation and leadership

15 credits

Five formative courses reflecting Karlstadt's ministerial commitments.

Field education and practicum

5 credits

Supervised placement and reflective ministry integration.

General electives

12 credits

Four graduate electives aligned with vocational calling and ministry interests.

Concentration thesis

6 credits

Specialized study, original research, scholarly writing, and oral defense.

Course catalog

Graduate coursework

Biblical and theological foundations lead into advanced study, formation, supervised ministry, and original graduate research.

I. Biblical and theological foundations

Competency in biblical interpretation, Christian history, theology, formation, and ministry communication.

20 credit hours

Biblical studies

OT2102Orientation to the Old Testament and Exegesis3
NT2102Orientation to the New Testament and Exegesis3

Historical theology and church history

WCCH2102World Christian History I: Apostolic Christianity through the Reformation3
WCCH2103World Christian History II: Post-Reformation Christianity to the Present3

Theological and practical foundations

TH2101Foundations of Christian Theology3
PT2201 / PT2202Education and Spiritual Formation or Pastoral Care and Soul Ministry3

Ministry communication

MC2301Speech Communication in Ministry I1
MC2302Speech Communication in Ministry II1

II. Advanced departmental studies

Advanced work across the major disciplines of theological education.

20 credit hours

Advanced biblical, historical, and doctrinal studies

BS3101Biblical Text and Exegesis: Advanced Close Reading of Scripture3
HC3201Historical Theology and Ecumenical Studies3
TH3301Advanced Christian Doctrine3

Ethics, preaching, and formation

TH3401 / TH3402Christian Ethics or Constructive Theology3
PR3501Introduction to Biblical Preaching3
PT3601Christian Education and Formation3

Departmental electives

Elective IGraduate course in Biblical Studies, Theology, Church History, Ethics, or Practical Theology2
Elective IIGraduate course in Biblical Studies, Theology, Church History, Ethics, or Practical Theology3

III. Core formation and leadership studies

Five courses expressing the Seminary's formative values and ministerial commitments.

15 credit hours

Christian community, imagination, and leadership

CF4101Life Together: Community, Discipleship, and Ecclesial Life3
CF4102Theological Imagination: Faithful Theology for Church and Culture3
CF4103Church, Religion, Leadership, and Public Engagement3

Renewal and spiritual formation

CF4104Renewal of Creation, Self, and Human Communities3
CF4105Spiritual Disciplines and Practices of the Christian Faith3

IV. Field education and ministry practicum

Supervised ministry formation under qualified mentors with theological reflection and practical integration.

5 credit hours

Experiential ministry sequence

FE5001Supervised Ministry Placement3
FE5002Ministry Practicum and Reflective Integration Seminar2

Field education and ministry practicum

Students engage in guided ministry experiences under qualified mentors while integrating theological reflection with practical ministry competencies.

  • Local churches
  • Church planting initiatives
  • Missions organizations
  • Schools and educational ministries
  • Chaplaincy settings
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Community outreach programs

Alternative Context Ministry Experience

All M.Div. students complete an approved experience that cultivates intercultural awareness and ministerial competence outside their familiar social and cultural environment.

  • Cross-cultural ministry placements
  • International mission experiences
  • Urban ministry initiatives
  • Specialized field education assignments
  • Approved travel-study programs

General electives

12 credit hours

Four graduate electives support each student's vocational calling, ministry interests, and academic development.

  • Ethics and the Problem of Evil
  • Political Theology and Public Witness
  • Divine Omniscience and Human Freedom
  • The Theology of Pentecost
  • Theology and Culture
  • Mission in a Globalized World
  • Christian Worship and Liturgy
  • Advanced Pastoral Leadership
  • Church Planting and Revitalization
  • Contemporary Issues in Theology
  • Biblical Theology of the Kingdom of God
  • Advanced Christian Ethics

Concentration and thesis

6 credit hours

Students complete specialized concentration study and a graduate research thesis under faculty supervision.

Christian-Jewish Studies

Jewish-Christian relations, Second Temple Judaism, biblical interpretation, and contemporary theological dialogue.

Public Theology

Christian theology in public life, culture, economics, law, government, and social ethics.

Pneumatology

The person, work, gifts, and ministry of the Holy Spirit in Scripture and Christian theology.

Soteriology and Christology

The person of Christ, redemption, atonement theories, and doctrines of salvation.

Reformed Theology

The historical, theological, ecclesial, and confessional foundations of the Reformed tradition.

Modern Christology

Contemporary Christological developments and theological debates.

TH6901

Concentration Thesis and Oral Defense

The thesis demonstrates mastery of a specialized theological field through original graduate research, scholarly writing, and critical engagement with primary and secondary sources.

Formation and achievement

Program learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Master of Divinity program, graduates will be able to:

Biblical competency

  • Interpret and apply Scripture through sound exegetical and hermeneutical methodologies.
  • Demonstrate advanced understanding of the historical, literary, theological, and canonical dimensions of the Old and New Testaments.

Theological competency

  • Articulate and defend Christian doctrine with biblical fidelity, historical awareness, and theological depth.
  • Integrate biblical, historical, systematic, ethical, and practical theology into a coherent Christian worldview.

Ministry competency

  • Proclaim God's Word effectively through preaching, teaching, discipleship, and pastoral leadership.
  • Demonstrate competency in pastoral care, spiritual formation, congregational leadership, and Christian education.
  • Lead ministries with wisdom, integrity, servant leadership, and missional vision.

Missional competency

  • Engage diverse cultural, social, and religious contexts with theological discernment and gospel-centered witness.
  • Develop strategies for evangelism, church planting, discipleship, and public engagement.

Spiritual and formation competency

  • Exhibit spiritual maturity, Christian character, and lifelong commitment to discipleship and ministry.
  • Practice personal and communal spiritual disciplines essential for faithful ministry.

Research and scholarly competency

  • Conduct graduate-level theological research utilizing appropriate academic methods and scholarly resources.
  • Produce substantial theological writing that reflects critical analysis, theological integration, and ministerial application.

Vocational outcomes

Graduates are prepared for ministry leadership and advanced theological study.

  • Pastoral Ministry
  • Church Planting
  • Associate and Executive Pastoral Leadership
  • Missions and Cross-Cultural Ministry
  • Chaplaincy Preparation
  • Christian Education and Discipleship
  • Campus and Student Ministry
  • Nonprofit and Faith-Based Leadership
  • Denominational Leadership
  • Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) Programs
  • Master of Theology (Th.M.) Programs
  • Ph.D. Studies in Theology and Related Disciplines

Begin your M.Div. journey

Forming faithful pastors, theological scholars, and servant-leaders for the Church, the academy, and the nations.

Explore admissions

Degree conferred: Master of Divinity (M.Div.) · 78 semester credit hours