Based upon prior academic study, qualified students coming from approved Bible colleges or Christian liberal arts colleges may request exemption from certain required courses in the Master of Divinity degree program. Life experience does not qualify for program reduction. Chaplaincy candidates are required to have a full 90 hours to satisfy requirements for appointment. (Contact the director of admissions and records for further details.)

Criteria for the M.Div. Reduction

1. Reductions granted cannot exceed 15 semester hours.
2. Reductions are considered for undergraduate courses with satisfactory parallel content, provided the equivalent collegiate courses are double the semester hour value of the Seminary's courses. A minimum grade of B is required and the student must be able to demonstrate competency in subject matter by presentation of Course Reduction Portfolios for each course for which reduction is desired.*
3. All program reductions must be requested prior to enrollment but no later than the end of the student's first semester of study at AGTS. Requests should be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office.
4. Partial course reductions will not be granted.
5. If the student later takes a course which has been waived by reduction, the previous reduction would be nullified.
6. Courses that will be considered for pro g r a m reduction are: New Testament Theology, Old Testament Theology, Old Testament or New Testament Introduction*,World Christian Movement I or II*, Systematic Theology I, Systematic Theology II, Communicating the Message, Principles of Teaching in the Church, Counseling Essentials I, Pastoral Ministry, one Missions course. (*May allow reduction for one course but not both.)

   In an area where a student demonstrates competency but the criteria precludes a program reduction, a substitute course may be allowed if approved. (Secure appropriate form in the Admissions and Records Office.)

   * Fee: $50 per course.

Updated: Thursday, July 31, 2003 6:27 PM