Basic Requirements of the M.Div./M.Min. (81 semester hours)
1) Biblical Studies (12 hours)
Biblical studies form a foundational core of ESR's M.Div./M.Min. curriculum. Introductory courses in Old Testament and New Testament are required. A student may bypass either of these introductory courses by passing a proficiency exam if the student has done previous college level work in the appropriate area of Biblical studies. Passing one exam reduces the student's required hours in Biblical Studies by three, and passing an exam in each Testament, by six, and electives are substituted. The number of semester hours required to graduate remains the same. A student wishing to take either of these exams should ask his or her advisor about the time and place it will be given.
In addition to the introductory requirements, students in this program take at least two 300 level courses for 3-semester-hours each. One of these will be an advanced seminar in either Old Testament or New Testament studies such as The Gospel of John, or Israel's Wisdom Teaching. The other will be a course in exegetical theory and practice, such as Exegesis of Prophets and Psalms.
Students preparing for a ministry in which the use of the Bible will be central (e.g., pastoral ministry, religious education) will be advised to take more than the minimum twelve semester hours and to take exegetical course work in both testaments.
Though neither is required for graduation, Biblical Hebrew and Greek are offered on alternating years. 200 level Biblical courses will count only as fulfilling a general elective for ESR students.
2) Historical Studies(9 hours)
A second core area for seminary education is the area of historical studies. Course work covering two of three major periods of church history provides the required foundational introduction to this field. Students will take two of the following three courses: History of Christianity I, History of Christianity II, or U.S. Church History.
Quaker students take an additional course in Quaker history to fulfill this requirement. Students from other denominations may substitute an independent study or a transfer course from his or her own denominational history and polity when it is not Quakerism.
3) Theological Studies (9 hours)
Three required courses fulfill the nine hours of this core discipline. All students take Introduction to Theological Reflection, usually in the first year of study. This course may be omitted by passing a proficiency exam. Upon passing the proficiency exam, the Theological Studies requirements are reduced by three semester hours, and an elective is substituted. The total number of semester hours required for graduation is not reduced. Students also take Christian Ethics, usually in their second year. The third course requirement is Constructive Theology. This course provides an opportunity for students to construct their own systematic theology, and is best reserved for the final year of study.
4) Applied Theology Studies (21 hours)
The area of Applied Theology contains a wide range of learning opportunities in which students can develop practical ministry skills. Pastoral studies, pastoral care, ministry of writing, and religious education courses are among those catalogued here. Six semester hours, arising from a student's interest, should be taken prior to the Supervised Ministry. A third course that relates to the students ministry emphasis should be taken during Supervised Ministry.
ESR is a strong advocate of "gift-based" ministry, and designs its program to assist students in the discernment of those gifts. Discernment of Call and Gifts for Ministry, normally taken during a student's third semester at ESR, assists that discernment process and fulfills 3-semester hours in the Applied Studies area.
An important piece of the M.Div./M.Min. program is the Supervised Ministry program. Students admitted to candidacy in this degree program develop a supervised ministry setting in which they exercise and further develop their gifts for ministry. Included in this process is participation in a year long, nine-semester hour Supervised Ministry seminar where students use the case study method to engage in group learning as they reflect upon the ministry experiences of fellow classmates.
5) Spirituality Studies (3 hours)
All M.Div./M.Min. students are required to take Spiritual Preparation for Ministry, preferably during their first semester. This course addresses issues of spiritual formation helpful to students beginning seminary education and a path toward ministry. Equally useful, it provides a forum for students to process their first semester seminary experience. Many other spirituality courses are available to students with a strong interest in this ministry.
6) Peace and Justice Studies (3 hours)
Peace and justice studies have deep roots in the Quaker tradition, and also in ESR's curriculum. All students will take the Introduction to Peace and Justice Studies (PJST 101) or an advanced, 300 level PJST course. Many other Peace and Justice courses are available at ESR for those students with a strong interest in this ministry.
7) Comprehensive Seminar (3 hours)
During their final semester, seniors in the M.Div./M.Min. program take Comprehensive Seminar. This course enables the student to have an experience in integrating learning from all areas of the curriculum around a given problem. The seminar also serves to strengthen a student in areas of weakness. The experience requires students to draw deeply from their accumulated reservoir of learning and demonstrates their own readiness for ministry.
8) Electives (21 hours)
Elective courses provide space in the curriculum for students to take courses that fulfill the requirements of their chosen ministry emphasis and to take courses of particular interest to the student.