Learning Outcomes by Degree Programs

The following outcomes for individual degree programs have been adopted by the Faculty of Perkins School of Theology.

Master of Divinity (MDiv)

  1. Interpret scripture. Upon graduation, students interpret scripture effectively, using a wide variety of approaches informed by an understanding of biblical Çàɬֱ²¥, the social and cultural realities of ancient Israel and the early church, and the interpreter's own context.
  2. Comprehension of Çàɬֱ²¥ and culture. Upon graduation, students demonstrate an understanding of the life and thought of the Christian community in its historical expressions and of the interrelations between Christianity and global culture.
  3. Theological and ethical reflection. Upon graduation, students engage in constructive theological and ethical reflection, informed by an understanding of the content of the Christian faith in its historical and contemporary articulations, as well as current Christian thinking on philosophical, scientific, political and cultural developments.
  4. Ministerial leadership roles. Upon graduation, students demonstrate the capacity to function successfully and effectively in various ministerial leadership roles, evidencing critical awareness of the social context of their ministry and the capacity to have an impact on that context.
  5. Worship leadership. Upon graduation, students demonstrate the ability to plan, lead, and assess the basic rituals of the church in ways appropriate to local community and to the wider Christian tradition.
  6. Effective preaching. Upon graduation, students preach effective sermons that are exegetically faithful to the biblical text and fitting to the congregation, utilizing an appropriate range of style, form, and sequence appropriate to the substance of each sermon.
  7. Spiritual formation. Upon graduation, students demonstrate familiarity with and appreciation for the church's spiritual traditions and the disciplines of prayer and devotion, and exhibit a capacity to evaluate specific instances of spiritual practice from an experiential and theological standpoint.

Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM)

  1. Interpret scripture: Upon graduation, students interpret scripture effectively, using a wide variety of approaches informed by an understanding of biblical Çàɬֱ²¥, the social and cultural realities of ancient Israel and the early church, and the interpreter's own context.
  2. Comprehension of Çàɬֱ²¥ and culture: Upon graduation, students demonstrate an understanding of the life and thought of the Christian community in its historical expressions and of the interrelations between Christianity and global culture.
  3. Theological and ethical reflection: Upon graduation, students engage in constructive theological and ethical reflection, informed by an understanding of the content of the Christian faith in its historical and contemporary articulations, as well as current Christian thinking on philosophical, scientific, political and cultural developments.
  4. Ministerial leadership roles: Upon graduation, students demonstrate the capacity to function successfully and effectively in the various ministerial leadership roles, evidencing critical awareness of the social context of their ministry and the capacity to have an impact on that context.
  5. Spiritual formation: Upon graduation, students demonstrate familiarity with and appreciation for the church's spiritual traditions and the disciplines of prayer and devotion, and exhibit a capacity to evaluate specific instances of spiritual practice from an experiential and theological standpoint.

Master of Theological Studies (MTS)

  1. Upon graduation, students faithfully and critically read Scripture and the historical texts of the Christian tradition.
  2. Upon graduation, students critically examine the challenges of culture and the world.
  3. Upon graduation, students reflect theologically about the doctrine and practices of the church.
  4. Upon graduation, students design a research project that demonstrates faithful reading, critical examination, and theological reflection.

Master of Theology (ThM)

  1. Upon graduation, students demonstrate advanced understanding of their stated area of focus.
  2. Upon graduation, students identify and evaluate the primary methods of research in the stated area of focus.
  3. Upon graduation, students formulate useful research questions and develop research strategies in the stated area of focus.
  4. Upon graduation, students synthesize research and communicate their findings in the stated area of focus through a completed thesis or portfolio.

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

  1. Upon graduation, students demonstrate expertise in the theology of vocation, leadership and community building in the context of ministry.
  2. Upon graduation, students demonstrate superior ministerial skills in adaptive leadership and community building.
  3. Upon graduation, students integrate practice based on sound theological and contextual analysis.
  4. Upon graduation, students demonstrate professional integrity and ongoing growth.

Master of Sacred Music (MSM)

  1. Discernment: Upon graduation, students demonstrate musical, theological, liturgical and contextual discernment, including the ability to make sound musical and theological judgments about works performed, (e.g., questions of validity, quality and contextual appropriateness on the twin levels of text and music) and the capability to situate a musical work in a local context.
  2. Skill: Upon graduation, students demonstrate musical skills, including advanced accomplishment in an applied area appropriate to a faith community’s piety, and informed by the Çàɬֱ²¥ and analysis of the genres of church music as well as by sensitivity to the ways current technologies can aid the realization of the music’s goals in its contexts.
  3. Pedagogy: Upon graduation, students practice effective pedagogy, including an understanding of faith formation through music for musicians of all types and ages, and application of processes for engaging musical participation by choirs and the congregation in worship.
  4. Theological framework: Upon graduation, students will demonstrate an understanding of the discipline of sacred music within a larger theological and cultural framework.
  5. Theology: Upon graduation, students demonstrate clarity toward a theology that positions music in all its dimensions as praise to God and service to neighbor, as biblically based offering and prophecy, and as proclamation of Gospel.
  6. Interpersonal and organizational skill: Upon graduation, students practice interpersonal sensitivity and organizational skills, including the ability to foster professional interpersonal relationships, Christian community in musical ensembles, and skills to effectively administer a music and worship ministry that supports the mission of a congregation in its context.

Doctor of Pastoral Music (DPM)

  1. Upon graduation, students identify critical issues in pastoral ministry related to worship and church music and implement holistic strategies for improvement in relationships and performance.
  2. Upon graduation, students evaluate research that integrates various musical traditions with recent developments in liturgy, culture and worship, ritual studies, and hymnody.
  3. Upon graduation, students demonstrate refined skills in an applied area including, but not limited to, organ service playing, keyboards in worship, congregational song, choral conducting, guitar, and percussion, in conjunction with their primary focus.
  4. Upon graduation, students apply these methodologies and performance skills in the context of their social location, including their congregation and community.