Master of Divinity
The world we live in today is a cosmopolitan, globally connected, 24/7/365 world which straddles both geographical and digital spaces. Whether in Singapore, in regions immediately surrounding this island nation, or in countries further afield, the dynamism of the 21st century has introduced new challenges. Serving in such a world requires understanding, perspective, competence, emotional stability, compassion, and other leadership qualities for effective ministry.
The Master of Divinity is a 3-year, full-time (or max. of 7 years part-time) leadership development programme designed to equip men and women for ministries in churches, mission, parachurch organizations, and the public square. Offered fully onsite in SBC, students will study in a worshipful, richly diverse, multicultural learning community with at least 20-25 nationalities represented.
Our curriculum emphasises 4 kinds of competencies and capacities to cultivate in our students through blended learning:
- Understanding Christian foundations – biblical, theological, and historical elements in our rich Christian heritage which continue to inform the ideals, identity, mission, and practices of the church
- Developing character in community – growth as God’s created being in community and cultivation of spiritual, emotional, and moral maturity
- Understanding cultural shifts – the impact on life, church, and ministry and developing informed responses to the rapid changes experienced in the 21st century
- Developing ministry skills – growth in competencies such as reading and interpreting texts, preaching, counselling, teaching, small group facilitation, mobilisation, and other areas needed for effective leadership and ministry
The Master of Divinity at SBC allows exploration of ministry interests by giving students the flexibility of taking competency courses. The three tracks available are 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 and research.
The Pastoral Ministries Track
The Pastoral Ministries Track focuses on foundational understandings and skills in preparation for pastoral leadership.?
The Intercultural Studies Track
The Intercultural Studies Track focuses on missions studies and skills in preparation for field and home missions leadership.
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 31-credit bridging programme to qualify for admission. Please contact the Registrar’s Office for more details.
English Language Minimum Requirements
- ‘A’ Level: B4
- TOEFL: 550 (PBT)/213 (CBT)/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
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 |
- Either OT Exegesis I or NT Exegesis I - 3CR
- Required 1 course from each competency : Christian Worldview & Witness / Pastoral Care / Pastoral Leadership - (9CR)
- Track-Specific Requirements:
- Biblical Studies Track - Must take any 3 OT or NT courses (9CR) OR
- Pastoral Ministry Track - Must take any 3 PT courses (9CR) OR
- Intercultural Studies Track - Must take any 3 IS course (9CR) OR
- General Track - Any 3 courses (9CR) besides the above combinations
Competency 1: Christian Worldview & Witness
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Christian Ethics | Gospel, Church & Culture (PM/BS Track recm’d) |
| Engaging World Religions (IS Track recm’d) | Apologetics and Outreach |
| Cultural Anthropology for Ministry | |
| Capstone Course | |
| Field Education |
Competency 2: Pastoral Care
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Pastoral Counselling (PM Track recm’d) | Theology of Work and Vocation |
| Emotional Health of a Pastor | Building Strong Families |
| Conflict Resolution & Reconciliation (PM Track recm’d) |
Other Electives
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Diaspora Missiology | OT Studies III |
| NT Exegesis I (if not as req’d MDiv course) | NT Studies III |
| OT Exegesis I (if not as req’d MDiv course) | NT Exegesis II |
| Culture & Contextualization | OT Exegesis II |
| International Development |
Competency 3: Pastoral Leadership
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Pastoral Theology and Ministry (PM Track recm’d) | Principles of Christian Education |
| Ministry to Youth & Youth Culture | Teaching-Learning Process (PM Track recm’d) |
| Ministry to Adults | Cross Cultural Discipleship (IS Track recm’d) |
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.
