Urban is not a place. It's a culture.

A melting pot of cultures, Philadelphia isn't just a city that lies between the shadows of New York and Washington. It is an urban area that is identified by its choices of music, attire, and attitude. As the fifth-largest metropolitan area in the U.S., with a population of over 1.5 million people, Philadelphia is no stranger to issues within the urban culture such as gentrification, racial tension, and socio-economic conditions. And Biblical is right in the middle of it all.

Biblical Seminary offers a Master of Divinity (MDiv) that provides a unique cultural experience through our Joy in the City extension site, which is located in the middle of urban Philadelphia. The program is taught by knowledgeable faculty that not only understand the urban culture but also serve there.

Cert. in Urban Missional Studies

Classes Include:

• Exegeting Your City
• Urban Missional Leadership
• Justice and Mercy

Why learn in an urban context?

Learning in an urban context increases one’s ability to appreciate the culture, empathize with the current conditions, and serve the urban community in a way that is realistic and relevant. This practical, academically challenging, and biblically-based MDiv program will enable you to exegete the urban culture and understand the needs of its people.

Why Biblical’s Urban LEAD MDiv?

Biblical will provide practical training that will equip you to lead a ministry in an urban setting. You can expect challenging, biblically-based academic courses delivered in a format that will equip you to apply your knowledge to you current ministry, including:

• The use of Cohort based learning groups to foster an "iron sharpens iron" environment.
• Learning how to exegete the urban culture and understand the needs of its people by developing an urban theology, which addresses the vital issues of justice and poverty.
• Being equipped to embrace the diversity of your community and reflect it in your ministry in order to reach it.
• Being equipped with counseling skills that help you minister to broken people facing complex life issues.

How can the Urban LEAD Program change you?

At Biblical, the cohort model is a powerful delivery format for professional development because it taps into students’ prior ministry experience, it is collaborative, and it occurs over a period of three years. Because students move through the program together, the quality of learning from one course to another is enhanced. Cohorts develop strong communication skills where students sharpen and challenge each other. This dynamic learning community produces the kind of deep learning, authentic contextualization, and relational wisdom that missional leaders need today.

In addition, students will embrace spiritual formation through participation in five retreats (included in tuition) and an intercultural learning experience at the completion of the program.

One Night a Week - One Saturday a Month - Less Than Four Years

Are you short on time?

Of course you are, however, Biblical Seminary's Urban LEAD MDiv program is custom tailored to the full-time ministry candidate, or the full-time career oriented person who desires additional training and are strapped for time. The Urban LEAD MDiv program is designed to allow a student to earn a degree in three years. Throughout the program classes are offered one night a week with an additional Saturday class once a month.

"Too many times seminary brings an image of "cemetery." That's not the case with Biblical. I don't know if there is a seminary more alive to the Spirit and mission for God than Biblical is at this very moment."

- Larry Anderson, DMin

Urban LEAD Master of Divinity Curriculum
Biblical Studies - 24 Credits Pursuing Authentic Biblical Interpretation Reading the Old Testament Missionally Reading the New Testament Missionally (pre-req., Reading OT) Take 5 of These 6 Old Testament Pentateuch Book Study Old Testament Prophets Book Study Old Testament Writings Book Study New Testamnet Gospels Book Study New Testament Acts or Pauline Book Study New Testament General Epistles Book Study
Theology - 21 Credits Missional Church Missional Theology 1: God and Creation Missional Theology 2: Reconciliation and Redemption - (pre-req., MT1) Theology, Ethnicity, and Gender - (pre-req., Intro to CT and MT2) Christianity and World Religions - (pre-req., Intro to CT) World Christian History 1 and 2
Practical Theology - 15 Credits Formation and Mission Community and Mission - (pre-req., Formation and Mission) Leadership Development - (pre-req., Formation and Mission) Organizations and Change - (pre-req., Leadership Development) Homiletics - (pre-req., 4 book study courses)
Urban Track - 15 Credits Exegeting the City (3 Credits) Anthopology (3 Credits) Difficult Issues in Counseling (3 Credits) Church Planting in an Urban Context (2 Credits) Justice and Mercy (2 Credits) Understanding the Islamic Challenge (2 Credits)
Integrative - 15 Credits Senior Seminar (3 Credits) Intercultural Learning Experience (7 Credits) Required Retreats (5 Credits)
Total Required Credits - 90

How long will it take to complete the MDiv program?

The Master of Divinity program can be completed in three years with a total of 90 credits. However, many students pursue the program on a part-time basis for all or part of their course of study. A comprehesive schedule of night classes allows for a flexible program of study.

What are the entrance requirements to the MDiv program?

Biblical welcomes men and women who have or are about to complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Prior study in Bible or theology is not required. International applicants have additional requirements that are posted on our website .

The admissions committee assesses each applicant on the basis of academic ability, personal characteristics, and educational and ministry goals and objectives.

For more information, contact Malcolm Walls in admissions at 800.235.4021 or 215.368.5000 x109 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .