What is a Master of Divinity Degree?
The Master of Divinity degree is designed primarily for students who plan to be ordained clergy and serve in Word, sacrament, service and order. It may also equip a person for other specialized ministries. In most cases, a Master of Divinity degree is the pathway for those called to lead, teach and serve in Word and sacrament. The M.Div. has been the most widely recognized and preferred degree for those seeking Elder or Deacon orders in The United Methodist Church.
Your call to ministry can be full of surprises and will likely take you in many directions. The objective is to be prepared. Those who believe they have been called by God to serve in a mainline denomination are perfect candidates for an M.Div. degree.
Discerning your call can be challenging. You may find our Call to Ministry Checklist to be helpful.
Is there alignment between your core being and your calling?
Calls to ministry are not neat and tidy, so do not be concerned if you find yourself questioning your call. There are many who begin theological education because the call is just that: a start to the journey.
Seminary can be a time for continued discernment. Speak to those who know you, who know your passion, your faith journey, your aspirations and goals. Spend time in prayer and meditation, and talk to those who know your skill sets, gifts and graces. Oftentimes, students find themselves knocking at the theological graduate school door and wondering why they’re there. All may not be in alignment, so do not lose heart. Your call may be to simply take the first step; seminary.
Are you passionate about your faith and sharing God's love?
Do you find yourself wanting a stronger, better equipped voice to share your faith? Do you have the desire to share your faith? Are there individuals in your circle who are telling you that you should look at becoming ordained or seek a position at a church or faith-based community? Are you an active churchgoer who desires to be better equipped to serve in a lay capacity? During worship or other parts of your daily life, are you yearning to do more to serve God and others? If so, this may be a sign of a call to ministry.
Do you have an inner longing for servant leadership?
Some people feel they need to be doing more for others and feel inadequate to do so. They have a sense of needing “more.” Do you often feel this way? If serving in a lay capacity is no longer serving your spirit, you may be called to something bigger.
Are you gifted to teach, preach, counsel and live out God's Word ?
Are you longing to learn how to share the Gospel or to teach God’s Word? Maybe you’re more timid and this is a gift you believe God wants you to develop. No matter what, you are encouraged to use this skill for the greater good.
Are lives enriched when you share your gifts?
When you think about assisting others by your teaching about God’s love, or serving in other ways, do you know or sense that people benefit from your service? In other words, do your actions cause a generous, positive reaction in other people’s lives? If so, you are utilizing your gifts and God is working through you already. It may be time to consider next steps.
Is your community speaking into your call?
Sometimes, we become bogged down with our own self-experience and can become myopic, only seeing a limited vision that God is calling us toward. What are your trusted mentors saying? What do strangers affirm in you? What does your spiritual community have to say?
Are you ready to respond to God's call?
The most challenging yet rewarding part of servant leadership is offering all that you are and all that you have to God. Serving others and embracing God’s call on your life is a courageous act of selflessness. “Here I am.”
You may be called to ministry if one or more of these pertain to you.
Earning an M.Div.
There are many benefits to earning a degree, whether it be to further your education, learn, or grow and develop your skill set. Not only does a Master of Divinity degree yield these benefits, it also offers much more. These benefits include:
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Growing in your faith. Throughout an M.Div. program, you will experience faith formation at the highest level.
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Building leadership skills and character. Becoming a great leader doesn’t happen overnight, but over time, you will be able to hone in on these skills.
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Becoming a more understanding person. As a lead in the church, it is imperative to understand and listen to others even if you may see something in a different light.
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Challenging yourself. An M.Div. program is not easy; it is meant to challenge you and strengthen your knowledge, skills, character and faith.
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Learn more about different religions, church history and the Bible. You will focus on the core teachings from the Bible and decipher how to utilize those teachings throughout your life and vocation.
Most Master of Divinity programs will all offer many classes to help strengthen and discern your call. Some sample classes will reflect:
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Basic Theological Studies (New and Old Testament)
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Theology
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Biblical Language (Greek/Hebrew)
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History of Christianity and The Church
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Basic Ministerial Studies (Preaching, Word and Worship)
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Christian Education
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Contextual Studies
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Spiritual Formation
Becoming a Servant Leader with an M.Div. Degree
With a Master of Divinity degree, students can continue to pursue their dreams of becoming an ordained elder and a lead pastor of a United Methodist Church, or a church of their denomination if credentials are accepted.*
The roles of an Elder in The United Methodist Church are, but not limited to:
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Main leader who organizes and directs worship
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Administers sacraments
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Interprets scripture and preaches
The M.Div degree not only qualifies students to become an elder in their church, as they can also seek out other vocational opportunities, such as:
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Minister or pastor
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Church manager
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Chaplain
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Outreach missionary program director
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Youth studies and ministry lead
* We strongly encourage you to check with the ordaining body of your denomination with particular denominations before beginning your pathway if not a member of The United Methodist Church.
Answering Your Call to Ministry at Perkins School of Theology
At Perkins School of Theology - Southern Methodist University, you will play an increasingly meaningful role in a community of lively dialogue that encourages deep thought and honest reflection. It is our expectation that you will graduate not only with a clearer understanding of yourself, but also with a broader and more sympathetic understanding of the beliefs of others.
Our Master of Divinity program is our most popular program. More than 70 percent of our student population is working towards earning their M.Div., where they will go on to lead churches throughout the world.
“I’m forever grateful for my Perkins education.
It provided me with the foundation and tools for a lifetime of ministry,”
-Rev. Adam Hamilton
1988 Perkins M.Div. Graduate
Founding Pastor at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.
Are you interested in learning more?
Learn More About The M.Div Program at Perkins
If you have questions or would like to speak with someone from admissions, we encourage you to book a meeting with us.
If you'd like to explore our other graduate programs, you can do so with our new interactive guide.
Access Exploring Ministry Degrees Guide
