Description of the Modular M.Div.

Erskine Theological Seminary offers its modular M.Div. as a means by which students who live far from an appropriate theological education may receive a Biblically- and theologically- conservative, academically-rigorous education to prepare for ordained pastoral ministry or other forms of Christian ministry. The heart of the Modular M.Div. is a series of six modular sessions, offered on Erskine’s campus in June and January over a three-year period. At each of these modular sessions, two of Erskine Seminary’s foundational required courses are offered. The twelve courses thus offered are:

Each student must take at least 10 of these 12 modular courses in order to fulfill the residence requirement. Taking these courses while staying on campus together will give students the opportunity for extended interaction with one another over the three-year period. This informal interaction should prove to be an invaluable part of their spiritual formation and their preparation for ministry. In addition to these modular courses, Erskine Seminary offers the rest of its required M.Div. courses and various electives through the Erskine Distance Education Network (EDEN). These distance education courses include lectures and classroom discussions available on-line, as well as opportunities for interaction with the professor (and, in many cases, other students) through electronic means. Reading assignments and written work complete the course requirements. In some cases, these distance education courses also involve students’ working with local ministers in order to enhance their preparation for practical ministry.

Erskine Seminary regrets that it is not able to offer the Biblical languages, Greek and Hebrew, in this modular format. Students whose denominations require the Biblical languages or who wish to study them as part of their preparation for ministry may do so through institutions near their homes, or (in the case of Greek) through on-line instruction. The study of the Biblical languages is not required for graduation from Erskine Seminary, although we encourage all modular students who live close enough to an institution where they can take these languages to do so.