Experience the Beeson Difference | Beeson Divinity School

Be shaped for ministry in a Christian, covenanted community.

Beeson is committed to doing seminary the right way: in-person. You’ll be formed as a minister of the Gospel and as a follower of Christ in a community of faith. Thanks to a generous gift, this education is more affordable than ever.

Our Risen Lord Scholarships

Full-tuition "Our Risen Lord" scholarships are available for top applicants. These scholarships, provided by a generous donor, are available to full-time master's-level students, with priority given to Master of Divinity students who complete the scholarship essay with their application. These merit-based scholarships cover the full cost of tuition and fees for three years of study at Beeson, the average amount of time needed to complete the MDiv.

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“Doing seminary right with us at Beeson is a big ask.

“But, now it is possible for everyone who wants to be formed for Christian ministry in a tight-knit community of loving, evangelical and unapologetically theological faculty and students to do so. Come and do life together with us. God will use your Beeson experience like nothing else you’ve known to equip and sustain you for a long life of ministry.”

Douglas A. Sweeney, dean, Beeson Divinity School

What Makes Us Different?

A Covenant Community

Beeson is committed to forming its students holistically as ministers of the Gospel and as followers of Christ. In addition to taking classes designed with this goal in mind, students participate in weekly mentor groups with faculty and other students, as well as weekly community worship in Hodges Chapel, followed by a community lunch. Students live life together at Beeson, building deep friendships with each other, faculty and staff that sustain them throughout their life and ministry.

An Interdenominational Family

Our student body includes more than 15 Protestant denominations. Students share a common belief in the core, historic tenets of the Christian faith while learning to appreciate the contributions of other traditions, all while being prepared to serve their own denominations well.

An Affordable Education

Beeson offers scholarship assistance to 100% of full-time master’s degree students (those taking 9-12 credit hours per semester). We offer a number of scholarships, along with competitive and affordable tuition. Tuition and fees for Beeson’s MDiv are 17% less than those of peer institutions.

A World-Class Faculty

Beeson faculty are leading scholars in their field and have decades of experience in ministry and in the classroom. In addition to being renowned authors, speakers and pastors, our faculty are committed to serving as mentors to Beeson students and build personal relationships with them through our intentionally small classes, which average an 8:1 student-faculty ratio.

What Will I Learn?

The Master of Divinity is Beeson’s flagship degree and prepares students for full-time ministry. This degree combines academic and practical training and offers a balanced curriculum of biblical studies, historical and doctrinal studies, spiritual formation and ministry theory and practice. The MDiv consists of 87 hours and typically requires three to four years to complete.

Biblical Studies

Beeson affirms Scripture as the foundation for theology, life and ministry. Students study Old and New Testament theology and complete four courses each in Greek and Hebrew.

Historical and Doctrinal Studies

Beeson uniquely integrates theology and church history in a four-course sequence, examining key Christian doctrines such as Scripture, Christology, justification and anthropology as they develop throughout the life of the church.

Spiritual Formation and Ministry Theory and Practice

Master of Divinity students take courses in pastoral care and counseling, spiritual formation, evangelism, missions and preaching, along with a cross-cultural ministry practicum and a year-long ministry practicum in a local church.

Electives

Students choose four electives from these areas to hone their preparation for ministry and complete the requirements for the degree.

Graduates will be:

Able interpreters and expositors of the Scriptures, who use sound hermeneutical methodology to teach the Bible to others faithfully.
Well-grounded in the doctrines of historic Christian orthodoxy, who articulate orthodox doctrinal convictions in denominational context.
Growing in love for God and neighbor, building Christlike character, practicing Christian spirituality and demonstrating it in ministry leadership.
Well-equipped to share the Gospel, both locally and globally, in biblically faithful and culturally appropriate ways.
Faithful and competent ministers, who feed and lead God's people well.

“I felt like my calling and my time at Beeson was a stewardship—not for me to find myself, but to be equipped with tools and resources to give to the church, to those God entrusted to my care.

— Samuel Hagos, MDiv '22, Experience Pastor, Progressive Baptist Church, Chicago

“During my time at Beeson, I had the wonderful opportunity to experience a learning environment focused on Christ, rooted in Scripture and in conversation with the church. I was cared for as a whole person so that my mind, heart and soul were nourished by the reading, instruction, class discussions and personal reflection. Most of all, my time at Beeson fueled a love for God and His church."
— Kennerly King, MDiv ’11, Assistant Pastor, Covenant Church, San Diego, CA

“Beeson's MDiv program prepared me for ministry by surrounding me with remarkable students and faculty from many Christian traditions."

“I cannot overstate the incredible gift of a close community all focused on sharpening each other towards the Lord's call on our lives. I left Beeson with a greater confidence in the Lord and His ability to use me for his glory and purposes, as well as precious friendships and academic pathways that will serve me towards that call for the rest of my life.”

— Thomas Gray, MDiv '25, Minister to College Students, Morrison Heights Baptist Church, Clinton, Mississippi

“The subject matter of the MDiv–God’s Word, His people, God Himself–it’s all worth putting a lot of effort into and pursuing excellence in. It’s worth it. It’s not something to be taken lightly."

— Cameron Patterson, MDiv ‘20

“My time at Beeson was rich with learning from the church fathers and understanding how the faith has been preserved and passed down from one generation to another. I am thankful to Beeson for instilling in me a desire to engage historical theology more deeply and for helping me cultivate a meaningful, lifelong relationship with our forefathers."

— Anton Ivanov, MDiv ’21, Assistant Pastor, Third Presbyterian Church, Birmingham

“In a world that has gone mostly digital, Beeson has remained faithful to teaching in-person only and small class sizes."

“You learn not only from the lectures from wonderful scholars, but also from the lives of those same scholars as you talk with them on the way to class or chapel. You form friendships with your classmates that last well beyond the Greek homework and into the joyful and difficult days of ministry. Beeson is a place of faithful study of Scripture, theology, history, the languages, etc. More importantly, it’s a place where all study is done in the context of worship and for the glory of God."