Why pay more
for ministry
training?
Our integrated approach emphasizes rigorous theological education, heart-level mentoring, and hands-on ministry opportunities designed to shape not only how we think, but also what we love and how we live.
MDiv Program
95 credit hours
Our MDiv program is a three-year, 95-credit-hour course of study intended to equip Christlike leaders for God’s global mission. Students participate in consistent, small cohorts of 8-14 students who commit to learning together for all 3 years, helping each other complete the program.
The MDiv is designed specifically for those called primarily to the ministry of the Word in evangelism, discipleship, preaching, teaching, and equipping the saints for ministry. Special emphasis is given to the Missio Dei revealed in the Biblical story, missional theology, biblical languages, biblical and cultural exegesis, contextualization, and missional ecclesiology. Graduates will have a solid foundation for vocational ministry as pastors, church planters, or missionaries to the unreached.
Our curriculum is designed around an integrated approach that emphasizes head, heart, and hands through our three key components of Core Courses, Mentoring, and Practicum.
Program Learning Outcomes
By the time of graduation, MDiv Graduates will be able to:
- Walk with God - Cultivate spiritual practices to nourish their life in Christ, resist cultural idolatries, and grow in Christlikeness as manifested in love for God, love for others, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
- Study the Bible - Interpret Scripture in light of its unfolding story of God's mission that finds its center in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Exegete biblical books and passages in original languages using sound hermeneutical principles and tools to discern the Spirit’s message for the Church today.
- Serve the Church - Serve the Church, especially through the ministry of the Word (preaching and teaching), worship, prayer, evangelism, discipleship, pastoral care, leadership development, and missions to equip congregations for God’s mission locally and globally.
- Apply Contextualized Theology - Apply the theological riches of the historic Church and the Reformed evangelical tradition to meet the needs of the Church in one’s missional context.
- Partner for Mission
- Learn from and partner with the broader body of Christ for the sake of his name among all nations.
38 Core Courses
68 credits
Covering the areas of Bible, theology, languages, history, and missional practice, our core courses are carefully designed from the perspective of the missio Dei as revealed in the biblical story. Each course is selected and sequenced based on its contribution to the overall program goals and integration with the other core courses. Three courses among this group (6 credits) are electives that allow students to tailor their coursework to meet their vocational calling and learning objectives.
3 Elective Courses
6 credits
Electives will allow students to tailor their elective courses to meet their vocational calling and learning objectives. For example, electives can be grouped according to concentrations such as "pastoral ministry concentration," "cross-cultural missions concentration," etc. We also offer various study abroad and cross-cultural missions opportunities for students.
Practicum Courses
9 credits
Our nine, 1-hour practicum courses focus on nine core, hands-on competencies that are applicable for any ministry context. Christian leaders need to be fully capable in these areas and be able to train others in them as well (cf. 2 Tim 2:2; Heb 5:11-14). The practicum gives students opportunities to practice these competencies under the mentorship and supervision of their pastors as well as our seminary faculty. It also can provide a structure and process for local church internships or residencies.
The nine areas of practicum are:
- Ministering to those in need
- Evangelism
- Discipleship
- Relational Dynamics
- Teaching
- Preaching/Speaking
- Shepherding
- Leading
- Cross Cultural Ministry
Mentoring Program
12 credits
We believe that an integral part of a theological education is attending to your heart through a mentoring relationship. Our desire is that you would walk in a relationship with another Christian who models and extends the presence, love, and care of Christ so that you will grow not only in self-awareness and Christlike character but also be more fully equipped to shepherd the hearts of others.
Our Dean of Mentoring will guide students in selecting and journeying with a mentor. The mentoring program consists of:
- Regular meetings with the student's mentor
- Once-a-semester meetings with Dean of Mentoring
- Personalized assignments related to the student’s needs
Program Details
With the exception of the biblical languages courses, our core courses are taught using an 8-week quarter system. Each quarter consists of 3 courses taught weekly on Tuesdays from 8:00 am - 5 pm.
TUESDAY COHORT SCHEDULE
- 8:00 - 8:30 am - Prayer
- 8:30 - 11:00 am - Course 1
- 11:00 am - 12:30 pm - Lunch
- 12:30 - 2:15 pm - Course 2
- 2:30 - 5:00 pm - Course 3
The biblical languages are taught separately using a hybrid model (online/in-person) during quarters 2-4. Elective courses are taught as 3 day intensives during the summers and at other times during the year.
The MDiv program requires approximately
25-30 hours/week during the 8-week quarters (this includes class time, workshops, mentoring meetings, and assignments), with additional mentoring and/or practicum assignments outside of the 8-week quarters and during the summers.
We offer two study abroad trips
to Israel and
Greece to consider both historical and contemporary issues related to the Church's role in God's redemptive mission.
Tuition & Financial Aid
We believe that theological education is a lifelong investment and that no graduate of CORS should be shackled with heavy student loan debt. We therefore strive to keep our degrees highly affordable, with our MDiv costing only 36% of what typical equivalent programs cost.
Additionally, students who are members or residents at one of our
partner churches receive a discount on tuition. Click
here for more details.
