The Residential Master of Divinity Program

The Master of Divinity degree covers a three-year, full-time academic curriculum that seeks to provide professional training for Christian ministry and further graduate studies. While most Payne students go into the pastoral ministry, the seminary trains persons for work as chaplains, educators, pastoral counselors, community development practitioners, and scholars.

Areas of study include: African American Studies, Biblical Studies, Historical Studies,Theological Studies, and Practical Ministry.

The Evening Program Payne Theological Seminary is committed to meeting the scheduling needs of a diverse student population. The curriculum makes it possible for a student to complete the Master of Divinity program in four years through the evening program.

The seminary has a particular interest in serving working students and those within commuting distance. For those persons who work full-time, Payne welcomes the part-time student and seeks to accommodate his/her scheduling needs through the four-year evening program. (Students must complete their graduate studies within a seven-year period from the time they enroll in Payne Seminary.)

As with all professional programs, the evening program includes both the mastering of academic materials and the acquisition of skills necessary for effective ministry. At least 50 percent of its curriculum is offered in the evening. The sequence of Required Courses available in the evening program is listed below.

African American Studies pervades the curriculum of this historically Black seminary. Every class integrates the experience of the Black Church and African American community. Specific courses in this area include: African American Religion, Christianity and Racism, Trailblazers in Black Methodism, The Theology of Martin Luther King, Jr., African American Liberation Theology, African Americans and the Bible, African History and Theology of the Spirituals.

Biblical Studies is at the core of the Payne curriculum. Studying the biblical world while learning the principles of exegesis prepares the minister for a lifetime of preaching and teaching in the Black Church. Specific courses such as: Different Perspectives on New Testament Themes, Cultural Hermeneutics, and African Americans and the Bible distinguish Payne's curriculum within the field of theological education. Study of biblical languages such as Greek and Hebrew are available.

Historical Studies forms an essential portion of studies at Payne Seminary. In addition to an acquaintance with the entire scope of Christian history, the student can expect to focus on the experience of African American life. The life and thought of African American leaders such as Richard Allen, Howard Thurman, and Martin Luther King, Jr. receive extensive examination. Courses in both African Methodist Episcopal Polity and African Methodist Episcopal Church History are required for A.M.E. students.

Theological Studies is an exciting part of the Payne curriculum. While studying the classical doctrines of the Christian Church as well as more recent developments such as Liberation Theology, particularly its African American formulations, the student learns the disciplines of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics. Courses in Black Theology and Womanist Theology characterize the distinctive offerings available in Payne Seminary’s academic program.

Practical Ministry is a necessary part of training for the ministry. Classes such as: Liturgy and Worship, Preaching, Christian Education, Pastoral Care and Counseling, and Church Administration are centered in the Black Church experience with the goal of training persons for ministry within the Black Church, African American community, and the world. Adequate preparation for the minister's role and responsibilities in the pulpit is regarded as important. Training persons to meet the needs for Pastoral Counseling in the churches has been given high priority. Supplemented by courses such as The Church in its Urban Environment, students are engaged in a multi-faceted and comprehensive approach to Practical Ministry.