Virginia University of Lynchburg seeks to provide self-actualization opportunities for all qualified applicants who are willing to stretch their mental and practical capabilities. This historical African American institution was founded in 1886 to meet the growing demands of our churches for better- educated and -trained ministers, missionaries, and teachers
In accordance with the mission and purpose of the University, the graduate program is designed to provide the student with a program of professional training and preparation for the Christian ministry, where high standards of scholarship and research in the basic academic disciplines are achieved, where moral and spiritual growth coupled with competence in ministry takes place, and where the student is prepared to achieve in any and all cultural settings.
The University sets the following goals in graduate education:
Any person who has received a bachelor's degree or its equivalent may be admitted into the Master of Divinity Program after having met the following criteria:
Only persons who have received a bachelor's degree or its equivalent, as determined by the faculty admissions committee, from an accredited college or university, and who have a cumulative average of "C" or higher are academically eligible for admission as students in the Master of Divinity Program. In exceptional cases, persons who have graduated from non- accredited colleges or universities may be admitted on probationary status. The probationary status is for a period of one year and will be removed once the student has successfully demonstrated the ability to pursue graduate academic study. Other requirements for special admissions are based on the following:
International Students are required to maintain valid immigration status throughout their stay at Virginia University of Lynchburg in order to retain good standing with the School. In most cases, this requires that the student be enrolled full-time for three consecutive quarters each year. A person whose immigration status is not valid is not considered a current student and cannot register for classes, participate in seminary activities, or apply for readmission or admission to other degree program
A minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate theological and Biblical studies must be earned at Virginia University of Lynchburg School of Religion. Non-theological studies are normally not considered for transfer credit. Coursework taken in a nonreligious setting which might be considered as parallel to coursework in the VUL curriculum may be considered on an individual basis if it is appropriate to the field of concentration and approved by the School of Religion Academic Committee
In the event that a student must be absent from class, it is the student's responsibility to make necessary arrangements with the instructor. Faculty members decide their own policies concerning class attendance.
Whenever possible, students are expected to report to their academic advisors any anticipated extended absences. Students who do not expect to register for a given semester (except summer) should consult with their academic advisors. If a student does not register for a period of two years (four semesters), it will be necessary for the student to apply for reinstatement. In such cases, students must meet the degree requirements in effect at the time they resume their coursework.
Students who expect to discontinue their work at Virginia University of Lynchburg are expected to complete withdrawal forms, which require exit interviews from the offices of the Deans.
To remain in good academic standing, students must have successfully completed 75% of the courses in which they have enrolled for that academic year and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for all coursework. Grades which represent successful completion are A, B, C, CR (Credit), P (Pass), or SA (Satisfactory). Grades which do not represent successful completion are “I” (Incomplete), F (Fail), NS (Non-Satisfactory), and N/C (No Credit).
In the event that a student fails to meet the above standards for good academic standing, he or she will be placed on academic probation. Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 may be subject to academic dismissal.
Students may request exceptions to the above policy by presenting a written description of their extenuating circumstances and their plans for the establishment of good standing to the Academic Affairs Committee of the School of Religion for consideration. The student will be advised in writing of the decision after reviewing by the committee.
In order to ensure that a degree, when granted, represents education that is current and reasonably focused within a certain period, the maximum time of study is ten (10) years. The Dean, if there are extenuating circumstances, may make exceptions. This includes all credit earned elsewhere and applied toward the degree, as well as all credit earned at VUL.
Students who do not register for a period of more than two years (four semesters) must reapply for admission and are subject to the curriculum in effect at the time of their reinstatement.
The prescribed course of study as outlined in the curriculum for the Master of Divinity Program must be satisfactorily completed. In order to graduate, it is required that a student be in good academic standing as defined earlier in this section of the catalog.
Students are responsible for meeting the graduation requirements set forth in the catalog published at the time of their matriculation for the Master of Divinity degree. Students must serve as the worship leader during their senior year in at least one chapel service. Successful completion of a Senior Sermon in the chapel is required. Criteria will be provided.
In addition to the academic requirements for graduation, students must receive the endorsement of the faculty responsible for the degree program in which they are enrolled. Students must demonstrate that they have acted responsibly in attempting to live in accord with standards of wholesome Christian character and with general standards of the institution.
Students anticipating graduation must complete an Application for Graduation. This should be done at the time of advising appointment for registration for the semester before the student's final semester. Applications must be submitted no later than the end of the first week of the semester of intended graduation.
In order to qualify for graduation in a given semester, all work must be completed and all requirements met by the official graduation date. Students who, for any reason, do not complete their degree requirements within this semester must reapply for graduation.
The fee for graduation must be paid by the end of the spring term. If a student fails to graduate in the year in which the fee is paid, the fee may be credited toward an application the following year.
The Master of Divinity Program enables the student to register for the part-time Day program or the Non-Traditional Hours program (NTH).
A. The Directed Study
Students with scheduling difficulties over which they have no control and needing a course which is
required for graduation are permitted to take that course via "Directed Study" upon the approval of
the faculty adviser and the professor who will supervise the directed study.
B. The Independent Study
Students having a GPA of 2.5 and above are permitted to do an "Independent Study" as an elective upon
approval of the student's adviser and the professor/supervisor who will conduct the independent study.
Independent Study is granted the last semester before graduation.
C. The Experiential/Cultural Immersion Learning Event
Students also have the possibility of proposing and participating in experiential/cultural immersion
learning events. These events must be approved by the Dean
Students can utilize no more than one of each of the indicated methods of independent or directed study.
Any deviation from this policy will require a vote of the faculty.
In any directed or independent study, after consultation with the professor or supervisor guiding
the course/event, the student must complete a directed/independent study form and indicate the following:
Students, who desire to apply for financial aid, may contact the Director of Financial Aid. Virginia University of Lynchburg has been approved to participate in Federal Student Financial Aid Programs. In order to begin the process to determine if you are eligible for financial aid, you are encouraged to complete the FAFSA application. You may complete the application in two ways:
| BS | Biblical Studies |
| CA | Church Administration |
| CE | Christian Education |
| CH | Church History and Missions Study |
| CT | Theological Studies |
| HT | Homiletics |
| ID | Interdisciplinary Studies (Including Field Education) |
| NT | New Testament |
| PT | Pastoral Care and Counseling |
| OT | Old Testament |
| Course Number | First Year | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CE 500 | Intro. to Biblical Studies | 3 |
| OT 501 | History of Israel | 3 |
| NT 501 | Synoptic Gospels | 3 |
| HT 530 | Homiletics/Worship | 3 |
| CE 540 | Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
| PT 510 | Intro. Pastoral Care | 3 |
| CT 630 | Systematic Theology I | 3 |
| ID 551 | Urban and Rural Ministry | 3 |
| CA 640 | Church Administration | 3 |
| NT 612 | Intro. to Greek* | 3 |
| OT 601 | Intro. to Hebrew * | 3 |
| Total | 33 |
| Course Number | Second Year | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CT 631 | Systematic Theology II | 3 |
| CH 622 | History of Christianity | 3 |
| CH 623 | History of Religion in U.S. | 3 |
| CE 655 | Christian Education | 3 |
| HT 640 | Biblical Hermeneutic | 3 |
| CH 633 | Missiology | 3 |
| CA 635 | Baptist Polity | 3 |
| NT 642 | Exegesis Book of Revelation | 3 |
| CH 630 | Applied Anthro. In Christian Missions | 3 |
| Total | 27 |
| Course Number | Third Year | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CH 642 | Evangelism | 3 |
| CT 720 | Intro. Christian Ethics | 3 |
| ID 733 | Supervised Field Practicum | 3 |
| CT 641 | Christianity & Missions | 3 |
| PT 715 | Pastoral Care in Ministry | 3 |
| CA 653 | Music & Worship Afr. Amer. Churches | 3 |
| PT 725 | Clinical Pastoral Education | 3 |
| CT 743 | Womanist Theology | 3 |
| ID 743 | Synergy in Theological Educ | 3 |
| NT 601 | Pauline Epistles | 3 |
| OT 670 | Wisdom Literature | 3 |
| CT 735 | African Traditional Religion | 3 |
| Total | 36 | |
| Program Total | 90 credit hours |
*=Electives
Requirements for Graduation: 90 semester hours of study, which includes the required core courses and electives. The maximum number of semester hours is 96.
