The Seminary offers the following programs:
"Do not fear, I have redeemed you, I have called you by name." (Isaiah 43:1)
At the heart of ministry is a sense of God's calling. We are called by name to particular places and occasions of ministry. Throughout Christian history, some people have felt an inward call, a passionate conviction, to serve as leaders in the church. They are ready to stand as persons of faith in a community of believers, responsible for proclaiming the word of God.
Perhaps you feel this calling and are ready to seek the education necessary to become an effective, faithful Christian leader.
Bangor Theological Seminary's Master of Divinity degree program has been carefully designed to focus on the ministry of the congregation, both ordained and lay, to fulfill our various callings. Throughout the program of study, the congregation is fundamental to all we teach and learn together. Bangor Seminary offers two routes to follow to earn a degree: --Students with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university may enroll in a three-year program of study for the M.Div. degree. --In the seminary's innovative Bangor Plan, students may enroll in a comprehensive program which combines two years of undergraduate liberal studies and three years of theological study, leading to a diploma in five years. Upon completion of the third and fourth years of undergraduate work, and receipt of the bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, the seminary confers the M.Div. degree.
A full-time student will take between 12 and 15 credits each semester, and can complete all degree requirements in three years. Course work may be spread over a longer time period, but must be completed within 10 years.
| Master of Divinity Degree Credits: | |
|---|---|
| -- | Introductory Courses |
| 3 | The Biblical Narrative |
| 3 | Self, Church and Culture |
| 3 | Approaching Ministry |
| -- | Distribution Requirements |
| 6 | Old Testament |
| 6 | New Testament |
| 6 | Systematic Theology |
| 6 | Church History |
| 6 | Christian Ethics |
| 6 | Preaching and Worship |
| 6 | Congregational Life and Nurture |
| 8 | Supervised Practice |
| 31 | Electives |
| 90 | Total |
Master of Divinity course work may be started on either the Portland or Bangor campus. A minimum of 30 credit hours must be completed on the Bangor campus.
The Portland campus serves only commuter students. The Bangor campus can accomodate both commuter and residential students. Some family housing is available on the Bangor campus as well as in the surrounding area.
At the heart of ministry is a sense of God's calling. We are called by name to particular places and occasions of ministry. Throughout Christian history, some people have felt this inward call, a passionate conviction, to serve as leaders in the church. They are ready to stand as persons of faith in a community of believers, responsible for proclaiming the word of God.
Perhaps you have heard this call but, because you do not have a college degree, assume that seminary doors are closed to you. Bangor Theological Seminary has an innovative program known as the Bangor Plan which offers ministerial training to persons who do not have a college degree. In the first two years, you participate in the liberal studies program. These courses count as the first two years of undergraduate work. Then you enter the Master of Divinity program of study. Upon completion of the M.Div. program you are equipped to work as a minister while you complete your undergraduate degree.
Phase One
60 hours of Liberal Studies curriculum
Five areas of study:
Phase Two
90 credits of Master of Divinity Curriculum
Receive diploma
Phase Three
Complete a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university
Receive Master of Divinity degree.
The Bangor Plan is offered on the Bangor Campus of the Seminary. Commuter and resident students can be accommodated. Some family housing is available on campus as well as the surrounding area.
Purpose
The purpose of the Master of Arts degree is to provide a basic understanding of theological disciplines for leadership in public ministry, further graduate study, or professional and spiritual development.
Program Goals
The program is designed to:
Program Content, Location and Duration
The Master of Arts is designed to provide instruction in the Christian religious heritage within diverse cultural contexts. The degree may be used to enhance a candidate’s work in a variety of fields. Areas of concentration may include work in such cross-disciplinary areas as Bible and literature, ethics and public policy, spirituality and healing, theology and the arts, or in Bible, Theology, Church History or Ethics. Concentrations are structured in consultation with a faculty advisor according to the interests and goals of the student. The summative evaluation provides the opportunity to design, undertake, integrate and assess work in the area of concentration.
The degree may be completed at either the Portland or Bangor location of the Seminary, and includes a mid-program review and a summative evaluation. The Master of Arts requires 50 semester credit hours of coursework and may be completed within two years by full-time students. Part-time students are also welcome.The Mid-Program Review
The mid-point review is scheduled with the student’s advisor when the student has completed at least twenty but no more than thirty-five credits. The Registrar notifies students and their advisors when the 20 credit threshold has been reached. Students are not permitted to register for more than 35 credits in the M.A. program until after completing the mid-point review. The student gathers the necessary documents for the review, which include:
The student’s Academic Transcript.
A written presentation of the student’s learning goals and purposes for the degree.
A review of progress in the concentration.
A statement regarding the student’s intended summative evaluation.
Master of Arts Degree Credits: |
|
|---|---|
| 6 | Hebrew Scriptures |
| 6 | New Testament |
| 6 | History |
| 6 | Ethics |
| 6 | Theology |
| 9 | Concentration 9credit hours of course work in the area of concentration, 6 hours of which may be taken at other institutions in the field at the graduate level. Concentrations may be a) in professional fields such as ethics and public policy, spirituality and the arts or medicine and ethics, or b) in a general field such as Bible, Theology, History or Ethics. |
| 6 | Electives The required credit hours may be completed through additional course work or independent study at the Seminary. Independent study may include work with a faculty-approved professional in the student’s area of concentration. Such study would be directed and evaluated by the faculty member. |
| 5 | Summative Evaluation* See below |
| 50 | Total Credit Hours |
The portfolio includes the mid-program and final statement of goals and purposes for the degree and an analysis of their accomplishment; materials from the mid-term review; the principal work from all courses; all work done in the area of concentration; and a final paper which integrates the material studied for the degree, personal and vocational aspirations and theological reflection. The paper is normally 10-15 pages, cross-referenced to other items in the portfolio and completed in proper scholarly form. The portfolio is evaluated by first and second faculty readers.
The summative project is developed with the advisor. A project report, which includes theological reflection on the project, will be completed in proper scholarly form and evaluated by first and second faculty readers.
The thesis is developed with the advisor following established thesis procedures and evaluated by first and second faculty readers.
Students will select specific core courses in consultation with their advisor in order to provide an adequate theological, biblical, historical and ethical grounding for their area of concentration.
Admission Requirements
Candidates for the degree must have a baccalaureate degree.
The full MA degree can be completed in Portland or Bangor. Course listings on each campus are available prior to each semester.
The Bangor campus can accomodate both commuter and residential students. Some family housing is available on the campus as well as in the surrounding area. The Portland and Hanover campuses serve commuter students.
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth."--Rev. 21:1
Designed for:
Features
Seminar Schedules
Two days every two-three weeks, allowing for development of lasting friendships, common meals, shared worship experiences, and opportunities to be teachers of one another.
The vocation of the Congregation -- exploring the meanings of vocation, calling and ministry for congregrations and their leadership.
The Context and Mission of the Congregation -- exploring the social, historical and theological context in which ministry takes place.
The Integrity of the Congregation -- examining congregations as institutions of integrity, responsibility, accountability and action.
Sustaining and Renewing the Congregation -- designing opportunities for congregational transformation.
The Project -- working closely with site team and faculty advisor to carry out, prepare and present a report on a project with the congregation.
For more information about the Doctor of Ministry program, go to DMin or contact the Enrollment Office at 1-800-287-6781 or (207) 942-6781.
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Last modified March 01, 2004.