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. Students will interpret scripture effectively, using a wide variety of approaches informed by an understanding of biblical history, the social and cultural realities of ancient Israel and the early church, and the interpreter’s own context.
  2. Comprehension of history and culture. Students will 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. Students will be able to 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. Ordained leadership roles. Students will demonstrate the capacity to function successfully and effectively in the various roles of ordained leadership, evidencing critical awareness of the social context of their ministry and the capacity to have an impact on that context.
  5. Worship leadership. Students will 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. Students will 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. Students will demonstrate familiarity with and appreciation for the church’s spiritual tradition and the disciplines of prayer and devotion, and exhibit a capacity to evaluate specific instances of spiritual practice from a theological standpoint.

Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM)

  1. Interpret scripture. Students will interpret scripture effectively, using a wide variety of approaches informed by an understanding of biblical history, the social and cultural realities of ancient Israel and the early church, and the interpreter’s own context.
  2. Comprehension of history and culture. Students will 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. Students will be able to 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. Leadership roles: Students will function successfully and effectively in 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. Students will demonstrate familiarity with and appreciation for the church’s spiritual tradition and the disciplines of prayer and devotion, and exhibit a capacity to evaluate specific instances of spiritual practice from a theological standpoint.

Master of Theological Studies (MTS)

  1. Survey and focused knowledge. Students will demonstrate the attainment of a survey knowledge of various theological disciplines, focused knowledge in a specific discipline, or interdisciplinary knowledge.

The following outcomes will be met as they apply to each individual M.T.S. project:

  1. Knowledge of scripture. Students will demonstrate knowledge of biblical history, literature, culture, and interpretive theory.
  2. Comprehension of history and culture. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the life and thought of the Christian community in its historical expressions.
  3. Theological and ethical reflection. Students will be able to 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. Integrative contextual reflection: Students will engage in integrative contextual reflection in an area of ministerial practice, including evangelism, preaching, worship, pastoral care, and/or congregational leadership.

Master of Theology (ThM)

  1. Students will be able to demonstrate advanced understanding of their stated area of focus.
  2. Students will be able to identify and evaluate the primary methods of research in the stated area of focus.
  3. Students will be able to formulate useful research questions and develop research strategies in the stated area of focus.

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

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

Master of Sacred Music (MSM)

  1. Discernment: Students will 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:Students will demonstrate musical skills, including advanced accomplishment in an applied area appropriate to a faith community’s piety, and informed by the history 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: Students will 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: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the discipline of sacred music within a larger theological and cultural framework.
  5. Theology: Students will 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: Students will 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. Students will be able to identify critical issues in pastoral ministry related to worship and church music and implement holistic strategies for improvement in relationships and performance.
  2. Students will be able to evaluate research that integrates various musical traditions with recent developments in liturgy, culture and worship, ritual studies, and hymnody.
  3. Students will be able to 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. Students will be able to apply these methodologies and performance skills in the context of their social location, including their congregation and community.