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All entering students are assigned a faculty advisor with whom they are required to meet as part of orientation. Advisor’s assist students in reflection on vocational direction, degree program requirements, and course electives. Entering students are expected to meet with their Advisor either during new student orientation or within the first two weeks of their first semester.

After their first semester, students have an opportunity to indicate their preference for a permanent academic advisor. There are limits, however, to the number of students a faculty member can advise and the availability of a faculty advisor based on research leaves. Further, students following certain academic programs and certificates will be assigned specific advisors.

Students wishing to change advisors should first be in conversation with their current advisor to alert them to their desire to change. Following this conversation, students should contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to formally request a change in advisor.

During the Fall and Spring semesters, the Divinity School holds an advising week immediately prior to advance registration week for the following semester. Returning students are strongly encouraged to see their advisor, but advising will be optional. Faculty Advisors will contact their advisees regarding scheduling an advising appointment one week before advising week, and all students will have the option to see their faculty advisor.

All masters level students are encouraged to complete 60000 level course requirements early in their programs. Students who leave requirements until their last year of study run the risk of not being able to graduate on time because required courses may not be offered or because of conflicts in scheduling. Final responsibility for choice of academic program and for successful completion of all program requirements rests with the student and not with the advisor.

During the Fall and Spring semesters, the Divinity School holds advance registration for the following semester. Only students registered and attending classes at the time of advance registration are eligible to participate in advance registration. E-mail messages will be sent to students’ TCU mail accounts announcing registration dates. Advance registration may be completed by the student through use of my.tcu.edu.

MY.TCU.EDU is TCU’s Student Web Services application. With my.tcu.edu you can:

  • Enroll in classes
  • Check holds and enrollment appointment
  • Add/drop classes
  • Check your schedule
  • Check your grades
  • Browse available classes
  • Change your email password, address, and telephone number information

To access my.tcu.edu, go to: http://my.tcu.edu.

Courses at the 60000 level provide a critical foundation for later study in the M.Div., M.A.T.M., and M.T.S. programs. As a result, students in these programs are strongly encouraged to complete 60000 level courses during their initial years of study at Brite Divinity School. In their first year, entering M.Div. students should enroll, at a minimum, in:

  • CHTH 60003 Introduction to Christian Theology

The following courses are also appropriate first year courses:

  • HEBI 60003 Interpreting the Hebrew Bible in Context
  • NETE 60003 Introduction to the New Testament
  • CHHI 60033 History of Christianity: Turning Points
  • CHET 60013 Introduction to Theological Ethics
  • Practical theology courses such as PRTH 60003 Congregational Leadership, WRSP 60003 Christian Worship, or PTPC 60003 Pastoral Care in a Complex World

Students who do not take required 60000 level courses as early as possible in their programs risk future schedule conflicts and delay of graduation.

Doctor of Ministry program-specific courses are open to a limited number of M.Div., M.T.S., and M.A.T.M. students who meet the following requirements: a 3.4 GPA, 35 hours completed in program at the time of application, and the written permission of the instructor and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. In addition, certain courses may require prerequisites. The number of M.Div., M.T.S., and M.A.T.M. students in any D.Min.-specific course may be limited at the discretion of the instructor and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Th.M. students are eligible to take Ph.D.-specific courses. Ph.D.-specific courses are normally closed to M.Div., M.T.S., and M.A.T.M. students. Exceptions are allowed in the area of Biblical Interpretation when students possess proven ability to work at the level of the Ph.D. class. Students must obtain the written permission of the instructor and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The number of M.Div., M.T.S., and M.A.T.M. students in any Ph.D.-specific course may be limited at the discretion of the instructor and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Enrollment of M.Div., M.T.S., and M.A.T.M. students will normally be handled through a different course number.