MENU

Master of Divinity (MDiv)

Bob Jones University Seminary’s accredited Master of Divinity will prepare you to lead and serve in the local church through a mastery of biblical content, church history, biblical languages, and ministry skills.

Credits
73-93
Next Start
Oct. 18
Cost Per Credit
$450
Months
24-36

Why Earn a Master of Divinity Degree?

BJU Seminary’s Master of Divinity degree is our premier program that prepares you for your lifelong calling as a pastor, teacher, evangelist, chaplain, missionary, or Bible translator. This carefully balanced, newly structured degree program focuses on helping you develop a mastery of biblical content, theology, church history, biblical languages and ministry skills.

Equipping Ministers to Lead and Serve the Church

We believe that the Master of Divinity is the degree that completes the training necessary for effective ministry in the church. That is why we have determined to make this degree as accessible to you as we can. For those who are already busy serving in ministry or working a secular job, you may earn the Master of Divinity completely online as well as in residence. For those who feel that enrolling in a master’s degree is daunting, you should know that our courses are taught by experienced, encouraging professors engaged in various levels of ministry. They are eager to see you serve the Lord and will give the time and personal attention needed to help you grow and succeed.

Program

BJU Seminary’s Master of Divinity program will prepare you to lead and serve the church like no other degree. It will help you master biblical content, theology, church history, biblical languages, and ministry skills.

Essential to these endeavors is your ability to faithfully translate, exegete and interpret Scripture from the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament. That is why our Master of Divinity program lays a solid foundation in the biblical languages.

You will not only become proficient in grammar and syntax, but you will also explore advanced methods of Greek exegesis with immediate application to sermon preparation. And you will be taught to read the Hebrew text in a way that will amplify your ability to feed God’s people from Old Testament passages.

But beyond developing these essential skills you will have numerous opportunities to put them into practice in your learning experience and in your local church. As part of your education you will create and deliver numerous expository sermons and articulate your theological convictions in writing as you prepare for future ordination.

You will also have numerous opportunities to put what you’re learning into practice outside of the classroom. You may find a place of service among many outreaches and local church ministries in the Greenville area. And with our online version of the Master of Divinity you may continue to lead and serve your church where you live as part of your experience. In short, the Master of Divinity program will develop your skills in exposition, leadership, counseling, and communication of the Gospel. Your understanding of Scripture and theology will deepen, and you will discover the rich heritage of faithful believers who have served the church throughout the ages.

Key Outcomes

Skills You'll Acquire:

As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills churches and ministries seek.

  • Exposition of Scripture — Develop hermeneutical and communicational skills for preaching/teaching Scripture effectively.    
  • Counseling — Apply basic biblical counseling principles.  
  • Church Management — Implement an effective organizational and administrative philosophy.  
  • Spiritual Development — Employ the means of grace for personal spiritual growth.
Careers You Can Pursue:
  • Pastor 

  • Church planter
  • Chaplain
  • Bible translator
  • Biblical counselor
  • Parachurch ministry worker
24-36
Months to Complete

With our flexible learning paths, you can complete your degree in as little as 24-36 months.

$32,850 - $41,850
Tuition Costs

Cost per credit: $450

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

Why SCOPE?

BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
Central in every course
FLEXIBLE PATHS
Tailored for your goals and schedule
APPLIED TO LIFE
Learning experiences designed for real-life relevance
CAREER ADVANCEMENT
Job-ready skills for your success
AFFORDABLE AVENUES
Cost-effective programs to achieve your outcomes
Why SCOPE?
Learn More

Courses

  • An undergrad degree in a ministry-related field may qualify you for the 73-credit advanced track.
  • Advanced modules, evening flex classes, and livestream class options are available.
  • Newly structured: online, residential, or combined.
Select a concentration:
Advanced Track
Apologetics
Bible Translation and Linguistics
Biblical Counseling
Biblical Languages
Chaplaincy
Church Planting and Urban Ministry
Church Worship
Global Missions
Preaching and Pastoral Ministry

Admissions

Steps to Apply

1.   Review the admission requirements

Prerequisite: Our master’s degree programs require an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Note: International students or students with degrees from unaccredited institutions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

GPA: Our master’s degree programs require a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA:

  • 2.0 GPA for the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling programs
  • 3.0 GPA for the Master of Public Health (MPH) programs
  • 2.5 GPA for all other master’s degree programs
  • Note: If your GPA is at least 2.4, we would encourage you to apply as some exceptions are granted 

2.   Start your application

To begin your online application, you will need to create a Bob Jones University account.

3.   Gather your required materials

You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

Official Transcripts

If you are a new student, you must request an official transcript from the institution granting your undergraduate degree. Your transcript should be sent to the Office of Admission for graduate study approval before admission.

Office of Admission
Bob Jones University
1700 Wade Hampton Blvd
Greenville, SC 29614

If you are a BJU graduate, your BJU transcript will be reviewed as part of the approval process before admission.

Reference Requests

You will need to submit the names, email addresses, and mailing addresses of two references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation. References must be submitted for your application to be considered complete.

Reference 1: a church leader (pastor or pastoral staff, non-relative)
Reference 2: an academic recommendation from a school official if you have been enrolled within the past 12 months; if you have not been enrolled in the past 12 months, submit a general reference.

4.   Fill out your FAFSA

If you are interested in Financial Aid, please complete your FAFSA information.

more ↓

FAQs

How many credit hours does the MDiv require?

The BJU Seminary MDiv requires 88-93 credit hours, depending on your background and concentration.

Is it a uniform, one-size-fits-all degree, or can I focus on a specific area of ministry preparation?

The BJU Seminary MDiv program offers nine specific concentrations (15-17 credit hours) in conjunction with the core program: Apologetics, Bible Translation & Linguistics, Biblical Counseling, Biblical Languages, Chaplaincy, Church Planting & Urban Ministry, Church Worship, Global Missions, or Preaching & Pastoral Ministry. 

Can women be accepted in the MDiv program?

Yes. The MDiv is designed for both men seeking ordination in full-time ministry as pastors, evangelists, missionaries or leaders in parachurch organizations, as well as women seeking significant ministry training in non-preaching or non-ordination roles. The only MDiv concentrations not open to women are Chaplaincy and Preaching & Pastoral Ministry. 

Is an abbreviated MDiv available if I already have Bible training?

A student may qualify for the Advanced Track MDiv if he has completed a bachelor’s degree in a Bible or ministry-related area with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. The Advanced Track makes it possible to finish in an accelerated time framework, requiring 73 credits rather than the prescribed 91 credits (92 for international students).

Applicants for the Advanced Track who did not complete 15 undergraduate-level credits of biblical languages with grades of B- or higher may be required to complete an additional three to nine credits of undergraduate Greek.

What GPA is required for admission to the MDiv program?

For the Master of Divinity degree program, the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above, including nine credits in Greek (beginning and intermediate levels). Applicants without Greek can make up for that deficiency via our undergrad livestream or online options.

Is the MDiv available entirely online?

The BJU Seminary MDiv degree is available entirely online, as well as any combination of online, livestream, and in-residence options.

What are the advantages of the MDiv degree over the MA degree?

That depends on your long-term goal. The MDiv is the premiere degree designed to prepare one for all aspects of Christian ministry.  It furnishes a thorough and well-rounded graduate ministry training program for those called by God to be pastors, evangelists, teachers, counselors, missionaries, and translators.

A balanced three-year program concentrates on a mastery of biblical content, biblical languages, theology, church history, ministry skills, and personal spiritual growth. The program provides a solid foundation in every aspect of the Christian ministry. BJU Seminary MA degrees concentrate on only one specific area of ministry skills.

What makes this program better or different than other programs in the market?

BJU Seminary’s MDiv program is more robust and well-rounded than many others on the market. Some may offer a degree with fewer credit hours, but that translates into less thorough ministry preparation. Also, in addition to a strong core in church history, systematic theology, biblical languages, hermeneutics, and exposition, the BJU Seminary MDiv offers a wider-than-usual array of specific concentrations.  

Results
EARN A MASTER OF DIVINITY DEGREE FROM
BOB JONES UNIVERSITY

Unlock your next impossible through an accredited master's degree through SCOPE.

What's the Value of a Master's Degree?

Greater Earnings Potential: On average, those with a master’s degree earn higher income than those with a bachelor’s degree.

Increased Job Stability: Those with a master’s degree have a higher chance of landing a professional role after graduation.

Stay in Demand: A master's degree can help you stay current in your field and relevant in the market. 

Stay Employed: A master's degree reduces the likelihood of experiencing unemployment when compared to those with just a bachelor’s degree.

Stay Ahead Financially: The future gains for those with a graduate degree outpace those with a bachelor’s degree.

Our Master's Degrees Come with a Guide: Our Pathway Partners can support your next steps towards a graduate degree. They help you see the path forward, monitor your progress, and help you know what to do next.

Program Coordinator
Layton Talbert
Division of Graduate Studies BJU Seminary
Let's Talk
Call (888) 253-9833 or fill out the form below.
Why a Master's Degree?
Download a White Paper Overview

Interested in advancing your education to the next level? Fill out the information below, and we’ll send you our whitepaper titled "Why Should I Get a Master's Degree?"

 
 
 
 
Submit
Begin Your Journey
START HERE
YOUR FUTURE ISN'T FOUND IN A COURSE CATALOG. Our advisors can help you create a personalized learning pathway to prepare for God's calling for your life. Talk to a Pathway Partner
Unlock Your Next Impossible