Master
of Divinity
MASTER OF DIVINITY
N.Y. State Ed. Hegis Code 2301.10
The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program offers the educational and formational components necessary for those intending to serve in full-time professional ministry in the Church. These ministries include hospital and prison chaplaincy, pastoral administration, and priesthood. The M.Div. at St. Bernard’s provides an attentive curriculum to the Roman Catholic heritage, contemporary relevance and learning outcomes through both classroom and field education experiences. The curriculum as a whole aims at human, integration of intellectual, pastoral and spiritual aspects.
M.Div. Curriculum
Foundation
C215 Orientation to Theological Studies
D214 Spiritual Formation
Area A : Biblical Studies
A202 Intro. to Hebrew Scriptures
A203 Intro. to Christian Scriptures
A301 Pauline & Deutero-Pauline Writings
A307 Prophets & Writings
Area B: Historical Studies
B204 History of Christianity
B Elective
Area C: Theological Studies
C217 Moral & Social Teachings
C226 Worship & Sacraments
C228 Church & Ministry
C302 Theology of the Trinity
C388 Contemporary Moral Issues
Area D: Ministry Studies
D202 Liturgical Leadership
D203 Liturgical Preaching
D207 Ministerial Leadership
D217 Pastoral Care I
D218 Pastoral Care II: Grief & Crisis Care
D302 Pastoral Formation I - see below
D304 Pastoral Formation II
Spirituality Elective
Graduates Colloquium (Non-credit) - see below
Total Courses 21
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
Total Electives 4
Total number of courses 25
Other Requirements
a. Training in Sexual Harassment/Professional Ethics (prior to taking Pastoral Formation).
b. Annual Retreats
c. Initial, Middle and Final Evaluations
d. Portfolio
In the interest of accommodating part-time as well as full-time students, there is no strict sequence which the course work must follow, aside from the consideration that the introductory level courses (200s) in each area are normally preparatory for intermediate (300s) and advanced level work (400s) in the corresponding area. Degree candidates can design their own suitable sequence of courses with the advice of their faculty advisor.
Students whose church tradition is other than Roman Catholicism may, with the approval of the faculty, choose alternative courses that are more pertinent to their own traditions and vocational orientation, in place of those listed as required.
Pastoral Formation
The M.Div. Degree requires a solid grounding in the theological disciplines, growth toward spiritual and emotional maturity, and the practice of the various arts and skills of ministry under the supervision of trained personnel. To that end, St. Bernard’s curriculum requires two field education experiences, normally one in a parish setting and the other in a non-parish setting (for example, hospital, hospice, jail, etc.). For those who are already employed in a parish setting or those who have considerable experience in parish work, the parish-based field education requirement may be waived upon written request along with suitable documentation. In place of the parish-based field experience, students seeking a waiver will be required to complete an elective in the D Division (Pastoral Ministry Studies). If waiver is sought for prior experience, it must have occurred within the last five years. Possible field education arrangements include:
1. D302/303 Pastoral Formation
Each is a two-semester or three summer term supervised practicum in a parish or other pastoral setting; includes regular theological reflection sessions with other field education students and a faculty facilitator.
2. Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
A unit of CPE may be used as an equivalent for the non-parish field education requirement. An official certificate of completion along with a copy of the evaluation must be submitted to receive credit.
3. Supervised Pastoral Training in Hospice
This is a thirty-week, supervised program of clinical practice, pastoral reflection and didactic training provided by St. Bernard’s in collaboration with Lifetime Care. It may be used as an equivalent for the non-parish field education requirement. An official certificate of completion along with a copy of the evaluation is to be submitted in order to receive credit.
Graduates’ Colloquium
The Graduates’ Colloquium is a non-credit requirement. The colloquium is intended as a culminating experience. It is an occasion for celebration, reflection and anticipation. At the end of a period of study, research and reflection, it is an occasion to celebrate the achievements of students. It provides a moment for reflecting on one’s own growth and development in the human, intellectual, pastoral and spiritual aspects. It is also a turning point as people look ahead and engage in some visioning for the future. The colloquium will normally be scheduled for one or two weekends for a total of ten contact hours in the Spring semester. This is a requirement for graduation.
Annual Retreat
Each M.Div. student is required to participate in a St. Bernard’s-sponsored retreat or other retreat experience each year.
Goals and Evaluation
Upon matriculation each student is assigned a faculty advisor to assist him/her in human, intellectual, pastoral and spiritual growth. The student and the advisor set goals and objectives in each of these areas and meet periodically to evaluate success in achieving those goals. More information can be found in the Student Handbook. These meetings will take place three times during the course of a student’s study – initially, halfway through the program and towards the end of the program.
Portfolio
As part of the advisement process, each student will maintain a Portfolio consisting of samples of what they consider to be their best work. The MDiv students will choose a total of three samples. They are to represent different stages -initial, middle and final - in the course of a student’s study. The samples are primarily works/papers submitted as part of the study at St. Bernard’s. For each work included, the student will prepare a brief critique (about 300 words) of its strength and weaknesses. In the advisement process, the portfolio as a whole may be used as a point of reference for assessing the growth of the student. The portfolio may also serve as a reference point for the Graduates’ Colloquium.
Additional Requirements
1. A quality point average (QPA) of 2.75 (B-).
2. Completion of the degree within six years of matriculation.
Earning
the Master Divinity
Retroactively
------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-1969 graduates of St.
Bernard's Seminary may earn the M. Div. degree
retroactively. Five options
are available to the Seminary alumni whereby
they
may earn their basic professional degree in ministry. Interested
alumni are invited to write
for more information.
