Southern Evangelical Seminary offers an intensive and accredited 84-hour Master of Divinity in Apologetics degree, providing a broad foundation for various pursuits and opening doors to advanced academic research or careers. While commonly viewed as a tool for contending with external challenges to the Gospel, the often overlooked aspect is the vital need for thoughtful, nuanced apologetics training within the traditional pastoral or church ministry role. Ministers and teachers can make invaluable contributions to strengthening their congregations through applied apologetics, going beyond confronting external falsehoods.
Explore this potent program, offered via our immersive digital campus, to prepare for impactful work in your pastoral role. Consider the insights of esteemed SES professor, Dr. Doug Potter, as he shares Five Truths the Church Needs Today to Engage People’s Questions. Elevate your ministry effectiveness with an M.Div. in Apologetics from SES.
You’ll be learning from faculty who have served as pastors and in other ministry roles. You’ll be able to go beyond textbook knowledge and gain wisdom and insight from their life experiences. Our faculty are also dedicated to getting to know students’ goals and helping them to understand the material in a way that applies to current or future callings.
Our courses integrate theology, philosophy, and apologetics in a way that helps you interact with today’s culture. You’ve likely encountered people who have questions about love, suffering, grief, and God’s plan. You will learn how to answer those questions, defend the truth of the Scriptures, and reach people from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds.
SES provides a fully immersive digital campus experience where every aspect of traditional education is achieved in a virtual environment. Many courses are live-streamed, while others are offered asynchronously (recorded) with live-streaming components. Our innovative online education can deliver the training you need in a way that fits your schedule and budget.
Our seminary-level M.Div. in Apologetics can lead to future doctoral study and is ideal for those preparing for:
If you’ve delved into insightful works by Frank Turek, Alisa Childers, Greg Koukl, and other notable authors, you’ve laid a solid foundation. Yet, you may be at a juncture in your self-guided study where you recognize the need to elevate your preparation for defending the faith. To effectively engage the culture with the Gospel, you will need a deeply integrated understanding of philosophy, theology, and apologetics. This integrated approach is the core of every SES program and what makes SES one of the premier apologetics-focused seminaries in the country. Whether you’re seeking a degree or certificate in apologetics, philosophy, biblical studies, or something else, the foundation is the same. Good philosophy provides a solid foundation from which to do theology, and both provide necessary tools for sound apologetics. Together, all three disciplines aid in removing obstacles to the Gospel (evangelism) and in building mature disciples who live the Gospel (discipleship) and are steadfast in the truth. Choose a degree or certificate from SES to benefit from our unique integration, ensuring you’re well-prepared to engage with today’s issues and defend your faith effectively.
We aren’t catching up with the distance learning trend — SES has been breaking ground and pioneering an immersive digital campus experience for years. As a student, you’ll enjoy a flexible, compelling, connected, environment for your studies. All of the easy-to-use technology you’ll need to thrive in seminary is housed in one place and accessed through a single, secure log-in.
(With our membership as a supporting sponsor of the Digital Theological Library)
At SES, you will have the opportunity to study under some of the best Christian thinkers in the world. Many of our professors studied under SES co-founder Dr. Norman Geisler, while others have their own distinguished educational linage. Each of them bring their unique areas of expertise to the classroom as well as a genuine desire to see their students grow, not only intellectually, but in spiritual maturity as well. Here are just some of the professors from whom you’ll be learning:
Provost, Professor of Philosophy & Apologetics, Norman L. Geisler Chair of Christian Apologetics
Director of SES Ph.D. Program, Associate Professor of Philosophy & Theology
Dean of Education, Associate Professor of Philosophy
“In my classes, I always tell my students — if you’re not a person of prayer, but you’re in a good church — you’ll get smarter and brighter … but you’ll be arrogant. We must keep in touch with the Lord. … The training and diplomas we confer at SES are very heavy, and you can go over the edge. Hubris is a true danger. We are a school that is committed to a personal relationship with God the Father and God the Son through the Holy Spirit. Our teaching, studying, and equipment for ministry are so important — but our walk with Jesus is primary.”
The Late
Long-time SES PROFESSOR
This course includes an in-depth exploration of the major systems of Christian apologetics with an emphasis on contemporary developments and applications.
Any coherent Christian apologetics must understand and uphold the bodily resurrection of Christ. You will give exclusive attention to arguments for and against the resurrection in this advanced level apologetics class.
Sharpen your interpretation skills for various Biblical texts as you develop this essential ability for original scholarship, teaching, and engagement in the public sphere.
CE501 Educational Program of the Church (3)
HT510 Church History (3)
Any Elective (3)
SM501 Writing & Research Skills (3)
Provisional Requirement Notice:
If one does not meet the undergraduate GPA requirement, they may be granted a Provisional Admission. This requires
that the student maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA on the first semester of work at SES in order to be granted full admission.
Contact the Admissions Department with any specific questions you may have or visit our FAQ page.
Prospective students are almost always surprised to learn how affordable we keep our degree programs at Southern Evangelical Seminary. You will also not be bogged down with numerous fees.
You need effective training for ministry — not a crippling load of student loan debt. The value of a degree here pays off through your entire career and truly has an eternal value as well.
(Graduate)
Read more about our current tuition rates, flexible payment plans, and financial aid opportunities.
Christians are called to be salt and light in our world, and leaders should be equipped to confidently engage the ideas shaping today’s culture. Apologetics training is essential for breaking down barriers and effectively leading others. As you pursue God’s calling on your life through ministry, a seminary education will maximize your impact.
If your personal study hasn’t yielded the growth you’re looking for, formal training can equip you to answer hard questions and present the truth in love. Being grounded in apologetics prepares you to be fruitful in all aspects of your personal ministry. Our apologetics program offers structured training you need to share the faith and defend truth in everyday life.
We’re convinced that you won’t find a higher quality option for seminary or the apologetics training we offer with a more affordable price or flexible payment options. Take the next step in answering the call to ministry or furthering your education today and begin the application process. You can get started in minutes and we are here to help you if you have questions.
This seminary-level degree will take your apologetics training to the next level by layering in important theological study
For a more traditional seminary degree with an apologetics focus, this M.Div. may the right path for your future ministry
This extremely practical and hands-on degree will prepare to for apologetics ministry in a variety of ministry contexts
