Master of Divinity
In a complex and rapidly changing world, you’ll want an M.Div. degree tailored to your unique path.
As it always has, MTSO’s Master of Divinity program provides excellent preparation for parish ministry. Now, though, it offers unprecedented opportunities to discern the shape of your vocation and design your own custom curriculum. You’ll have the flexibility to pursue such goals as ordination, community ministry and doctoral studies. Whichever path you choose, you’ll develop the skills to understand, appreciate and interpret our Christian heritage so it becomes a compelling vision for the present and future.
MTSO offers courses both in person and online. While some courses are available exclusively online or exclusively in person, the vast majority are available in both modes, employing HyFlex education.
Talk with an admissions counselor about MTSO and the M.Div. degree. Email or call 800-333-6876.
M.Div. degree requirements
Note to those seeking United Methodist ordination
The Master of Divinity degree fulfills United Methodist requirements for ordination as elder or deacon.
In January 2023, the University Senate of the United Methodist Church approved a policy change to allow a student seeking United Methodist ordination to earn their Master of Divinity fully online. Previously, a student seeking United Methodist ordination was required to earn at least one-third of their seminary degree through campus-based courses. Learn more about fulfilling United Methodist ordination requirements here.
M.Div. course scheduling
Too many aspiring Christian leaders are torn by a difficult choice between a quality graduate program and a fast, affordable one. The Connections Pathway offers busy students MTSO’s unique combination of on-campus and online learning. M.Div. students on the Connections Pathway are typically in class only one day per week, earning their degree in as few as 33 months.
- M.Div. Connections Pathway Recommended Degree Completion Plans: General
- M.Div. Connections Pathway Recommended Degree Completion Plans: UMC Ordination
M.Div. specializations
Within the M.Div. program, we offer eight optional specializations around focal areas of modern ministry. Each specialization requires 12 semester hours of selected classes within the 86 hours required for the M.Div. degree.
- Biblical Languages and Texts
- Black Church and African Diaspora Studies
- Chaplaincy
- Ecology and Justice
- Feminist and Womanist Studies
- Interreligious Contexts
- Spirituality
- Unitarian Universalist Studies
Dual-degree information
Hear from M.Div. students
Bethany Davey shares her perspective as a mom and a person who never thought she would be in seminary:
Godfrey Gakuru, a native of Kenya, shares his appreciation for being part of the residential campus community:
Learn more and get started
Talk with an admissions representative about MTSO and the M.DIv. degree. Email or call 800-333-6876.