During the last four decades God has supplied scores of pulpits, ministries, missionary endeavors, and seminaries with God-enthralled Bethlehem men who discovered—while serving alongside pastors here during the course of academic studies—that God is most glorified in them when they are most satisfied in him. Since 2009, pastoral apprenticeship has been the foundational practicum in Bethlehem College & Seminary’s Master of Divinity degree program.

Seminarians are assigned to a pastor on one of Bethlehem Baptist Church’s three local campuses, or at one of its several local church plants, and serve alongside the pastor in the style of the historic master-apprentice pursuit of tradecraft, or like medical residents making hospital rounds with a supervising  physician. Service to the pastor and the congregation are at the center of this apprenticeship, but deep mentor relationships inevitably emerge as a fruit of such up-close collaboration.

The Master of Divinity is the foundational four-year program for those called to vocational ministry as pastors, missionaries, or other full-time Christian workers at the elder level. The program’s emphasis is intense, whole-Bible exegesis in the original languages with a special focus on the unfolding of God’s sovereign plan throughout all of redemptive history.

The Master of Theology is offered for students who desire to sharpen their expertise in a specific topic of theological learning. Students may work on the M.Div. and Th.M. degrees concurrently or may complete the 20 credit Th.M. in approximately one year following the M.Div.. Master of Theology candidates author a thesis during their final year under the supervision of a Bethlehem College & Seminary professor.

Note: Students are only considered for the Master of Theology degree after they have already enrolled at Bethlehem College & Seminary. The application is made available during their second year of study.