M.Div. Emphasis – Teaching
Those considering a career in education as ministry may benefit from combining practical preparation with the vocational discernment and structure of ESR’s Master of Divinity program. Entering students do not need teaching experience or a license to undertake this work. Current educators in religious or secular institutions may also choose to supplement their degree in education with an M.Div/M.Min. emphasis in teaching as ministry. The emphasis is designed to strengthen teachers’ skills as well as examine teaching through the lenses of theology and spirituality.
About the teaching emphasis
Residential students who choose the teaching emphasis take a set of four courses focused on areas such as pedagogy and curriculum development. These courses are available to students within the teaching emphasis.
The teaching emphasis functions as a cohort group and is completed through a partnership with Earlham College’s Graduate Programs in Education. M.Div./M.Min. students begin the emphasis in the summer of their second year, after completing Discernment of Call and Gifts.
Required sequence of courses:
- ED 520 Foundations in Education (June)
- ED 522 Learning Theories (Fall semester)
- ED 531 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (Fall semester)
The fourth course required for the emphasis may be chosen from:
- ED 520 Human and Moral Development (June)
- ED 591 Teacher as Researcher (Fall semester)
- A related course from the ESR or Bethany Theological School curriculum.
Our faculty
Earlham School of Religion teaching faculty create collaborative learning environments where students are engaged and challenged to think deeply and critically about matters of faith, theology and religious practice.
Next steps
Ministry isn’t just a vocation or a calling—it’s a way of being in this world, seeking to make it whole. ESR is ready to support you in answering your own call to ministry, whatever shape it takes.