Master of Divinity in Apologetics

84 Credit-Hours

Fully Online

Flexible Payment Plans

Dive Deeply into the Defense of the Historic Christian Faith as You Prepare for Full-Time Ministry in a Variety of Contexts

Many prospective students considering the Master of Divinity in Apologetics have a desire to pursue writing, speaking, and public engagement with a culture that grows increasingly hostile to the Gospel

This 84-hour degree from Southern Evangelical Seminary will certainly give you a broad foundation for those pursuits, as well as open potential doors to advanced academic research or careers. However, something that is often overlooked by contemporary students is the vital need for thoughtful, nuanced training in apologetics within the traditional pastoral or church ministry role. We regularly think of apologetics only as a tool or equipment for contending with the falsehoods and often confrontational rejection of Jesus Christ and the Gospel by those outside our church congregations. It certainly is that, but ministers and teachers can make invaluable contributions to strengthening their fellow Christians in their congregations through applied apologetics. The Master of Divinity in Apologetics program would be a potent way to prepare for such work, and it can be completed via our immersive digital campus. Consider these thoughts from long-time SES professor, Dr. Doug Potter: Five Truths the Church Needs Today to Engage People’s Questions.

Read below for the details of this flexible program, and download your FREE ebook to see how such training relates to real-world Gospel issues.

Faculty With Real-Life Ministry Experience

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.

Engaging Courses Connect Knowledge with Application

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.

Classical Christian Thinking for Modern Believers

Because of our integrated apologetics-focus, we teach the bedrock tenets of Classical Christian thinking like God’s simplicity, impassibility, and more. With the proper foundation for demonstrating the nature of the existence of God, we may confidently build new skills and understanding for cultural engagement and upholding the hope of the Gospel.

This seminary level degree can lead to future doctoral study and is ideal for those preparing for Pastoral Ministry, Youth Ministry, Teaching, Speaking, or Missions.

Your Academic Experience at SES

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.

Collaborate with your peers through our integrated approach

Interact with professors during many live-streamed classes

Conduct research in one of the most expansive theological libraries ever created

(With our membership as a supporting sponsor of the Digital Theological Library)

Learn more about the remarkable digital campus experience at SES that will help you thrive as a student and be equipped with the technology tools you’ll need in ministry.

In the M.Div. in Apologetics Program, You Will:

See the Vital Need for Apologetics-Focused Education

Engaging real-world issues for the sake of the Gospel

Download Your FREE eBook Today!

“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.”

Barry Leventhal

LONG-TIME SES PROFESSOR

Courses of Interest in the M.Div. in Apologetics

Christian Apologetic Systems

This course includes an in-depth exploration of the major systems of Christian apologetics with an emphasis on contemporary developments and applications.

Resurrection of Jesus

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.

Hermeneutics

Sharpen your interpretation skills for various Biblical texts as you develop this essential ability for original scholarship, teaching, and engagement in the public sphere.

Full Course Listing

PREREQUISITE COURSE – 3 hours Pass/Fail

SM501 Writing & Research Skills (3)

APOLOGETICS – 15 hours

AP501 Introduction to Christian Apologetics or APe (3)
AP503 Logic (3)
AP511 Christian Apologetic Systems (3)
AP512 Ethics (3)
AP518 Resurrection of Jesus (3)

PHILOSOPHY – 6 hours

PH501 Classical Philosophy (3)
PH601 Philosophy of Religion (3)

BIBLICAL STUDIES – 18 hours

OT501 Old Testament Survey 1: Genesis–Esther (3)
OT502 Old Testament Survey 2: Job–Malachi (3)
NT501 New Testament Survey 1: Gospels and Acts (3)
NT502 New Testament Survey 2: The Epistles and Revelation (3)
OT/NT Elective (3)
BL501 Biblical Languages (3)

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION – 3 hours

CE501 Educational Program of the Church (3)

HISTORICAL THEOLOGY – 3 hours

HT510 Church History (3)

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM – 6 hours

ME505 Practical Evangelism & Apologetics (3)
ME507, 508, or 510 History of Missions & World Christianity, Biblical Theology & Principles of Missions, or Culture & Worldview (3)

PASTORAL THEOLOGY – 12 hours

PT501 Homiletics (3)
PT503 Biblical Counseling (3)
PT504 Pastoral Leadership (3)
PT507 Expository Preaching (3)

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY – 15 hours

ST501 Prolegomena and Bibliology (3)
ST502 Theology Proper and Creation (3)
ST503 Hamartiology and Soteriology (3)
ST504 Pneumatology, Ecclesiology and Eschatology (3)
ST505 Hermeneutics (3)

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE – 3 hours

ME500 Ministry Practicum (3)

ELECTIVES – 3 hours

Any Elective (3)

GENERAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS

Have earned a bachelors degree from an institution
accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, the United
States Department of Education, or the equivalent (as assessed by SES)
GPA of 2.5 or above for their undergraduate program

PROVISIONAL GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

If one does not meet the undergraduate GPA requirement, he 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.

A Valuable Degree with Exceptionally Affordable Tuition

Prospective students are almost always surprised to learn how affordable we keep our degree programs at Southern Evangelical Seminary.

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.

As a result, we're delighted to tell you that you'll have a very difficult time finding a better tuition rate than what we offer at SES: $475 per credit hour.

^$475

per credit hour

Read more about our current tuition rates, flexible payment plans, and financial aid opportunities.

LET'S PARTNER TOGETHER ON YOUR TUITION

Financial Aid & Discounts

Why Should You Seriously Consider Studying at SES?

You almost certainly have at least some basic — and perhaps even advanced — knowledge of Christian apologetics. Many new students at SES have studied books like Tactics by Gregory Koukl, Lewis' Mere Christianity, or I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by SES alum Frank Turek and SES co-founder Norman Geisler. These are all very helpful resources, but perhaps you have reached that point in your self-guided research where you hit a wall or find yourself out of your depth.

Apologetics, theology, and even Bible study will never reach their potential without being grounded in sound philosophy. It's not a matter of whether you're doing philosophy. It's a matter of whether you're doing it well or poorly. You can be a good philosopher without being a good apologist or theologian, but it does not work the other way around! Giving you the philosophical foundation you need for both theology and apologetics is just one of the ways that a degree or certificate from SES will serve you well.

Built for Your Calling

Whether you are pursuing full-time vocational leadership or personal ministry growth, this program is designed to provide a path for your success.

Full-Time Ministry

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.

Personal Ministry

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.

Ready to Apply Now?

Start the admission process today. You can begin in just a few minutes by filling out our initial application and it will open the door for us to have an exploratory conversation about your educational priorities and hopes for ministry. We have an entire team at SES who is ready to help you in the process of discerning your gifts and calling to ministry so you can engage our culture in the conversations that matter the most.