The Master of Divinity program is a graduate program in theological education. It is designed for students who aspire to achieve a high level of competence in theological education and ministry. The Bachelor of Arts degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university is required for admission to the program. Conferring of the degree is contingent upon the successful completion of 90 semester hours.

Graduate courses are offered during the fall and spring semesters and also during the winter and summer sessions. Persons are admitted into the graduate program during the fall and spring semesters and must posses the Bachelors degree. Former students who have not matriculated within a two-year period must reapply for admission.

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Admissions Procedures
Student Classifications
Application Deadlines
Master of Divinity (MDiv) Degree w/ Concentrations
Graduation Requirements
Required Courses
Electives
Course Description for all programs

Admissions Procedures
Graduate courses are offered during the fall and spring semesters and also during the winter and summer sessions. Persons are admitted into the graduate program during the fall, spring and summer sessions and must possess the Bachelors degree. Applicants must have a “C” average in the undergraduate program. Former students who have not matriculated within a year must reapply for admission. 

Persons desiring admission to the Shaw University Divinity School Master of Divinity Program should request the Shaw University Graduate School Application for Admission Form from or apply online:

The completed Graduate Application for Admission should be returned to
Shaw University Divinity School at the above address along with a $50.00 application fee. 

Potential students are responsible for the following items to complete the application:

1. Request an official transcript from their college
2. Complete a two-page essay 
3. Request two people to complete letters of reference
4. Have their physician complete a health form. 



Student Classification

Student Classifications are based upon the number of credits accumulated as follows:

Junior less than 30 credits
Middle 30 – 60 credits
Senior 61 credits or more.



Application Deadlines

Students desiring to enroll for the fall semester should apply by July 15th, students desiring to enroll for the spring semester should apply by November 15th; and students desiring to enroll for the summer semester should apply by April 15th. 

Every candidate for the Master of Divinity degree is required to complete a total of 90 semester hours of credit. Twenty-one (21) required courses (63 hours) and nine (9) electives (27 hours) are required to complete the requirements for the Master of Divinity degree. 

Students may take a maximum of three courses on Saturday and may take additional courses during the week. It is strongly recommended that full-time pastors or bi-vocational students who are employed 35 or more hours per week limit their course load to three courses or nine hours per semester. Any decision to do otherwise must be approved by the Dean.



Master of Divinity (MDiv) Degree with Concentrations

Students enrolled in the MDiv program may seek a concentration in one of nine disciplines: Pastoral Counseling, Old Testament, New Testament, Theological Studies, Women's Studies, Church History, Christian Education, Black Church Studies, and Homiletics. The Master of Divinity degree with a concentration requires at least six electives in the discipline chosen. Advisors will assist students with course selection in their areas of concentration. 



Graduation Requirements

To be awarded the Master of Divinity Degree, students must satisfy the following requirements:

1.Completion of ninety (90) semester hours. For Winston/Salem students, a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours must be earned at the Raleigh campus.

2.Maintain a cumulative average of “C” or better.

3. Removal of all “I” (incompletes).


The Master of Divinity (MDiv) Program
Requirements: 90 Credit Hours



Required Courses

OTS 501 Survey of the Old Testament
OTS 502 Theories and Practice of Old Testament Exegesis
NTS 501 Survey of the New Testament
NTS 502 Theories and Practice of New Testament Exegesis
THE 501 Systematic Theology
THE 511 Christian Ethics
HIS 501 Survey of Church History I
HIS 502 Survey of Church History II
HIS 533 African American Church History
HIS 534 Women in Western Religious History
HIS 551 Denominational History and Polity
MIN 502 Spiritual Formation
MIN 503 Spiritual Integration
PWS 501 Introduction to Homiletics
PWS 502 Advanced Sermon Analysis
PWS 512 Philosophy & Psychology of Preaching
PWS 521 Introduction to Christian Worship
FED 501 Field Education
ADM 501 Church Administration
CED 501 Introduction to Christian Education
PPC 502 Introduction to Pastoral Counseling

Electives - 9 courses (27 hours)
In addition to the required courses listed above, each candidate for the Master of Divinity degree must complete an additional nine (9) electives or 27 credits.