The Best Online Master of Divinity (MDiv) Degree Programs

Clergy members conduct worship services and provide pastoral care for members of their churches. They write sermons, advise their congregations, and offer spiritual guidance to individuals and groups. They also analyze religious texts and interpret them, often sharing their conclusions with their church communities. Clergy may also manage the financial and administrative needs of a church. In some churches, they perform community outreach to expand church membership and engage in fundraising for the church.

Social and community services managers supervise social service programs and oversee community organizations. They identify a community’s needs for programs and services, implement programs, and analyze data on a program’s effectiveness. They may also plan outreach activities and write proposals to secure funding.

Many faith-based organizations hire social and community services managers to oversee programs that address poverty, hunger, and other social problems.

Private high school teachers can teach a variety of subjects, depending on their educational background and the school’s needs. Some private schools hire graduates with a master of divinity to teach courses on religion and theology.

High school teachers create lesson plans, deliver lectures, and design assignments and exams to assess student abilities. They also communicate with parents and work with school administrators to carry out the school’s functions. Some private high schools may require a state-issued teaching license.

College professors instruct students in a particular subject. MDiv graduates may teach subjects like religion, theology, or pastoral care. Professors plan lessons based on specific topics and assess student learning through assignments and exams. Many professors also conduct research and publish in scholarly journals.

Professors may also supervise graduate students, apply for grants, or serve on specialty committees at their institutions.

A master of divinity trains students for religious leadership roles, such as minister, pastor, and preacher.

Yes, a master of divinity is a master’s degree. Prospective students must hold a bachelor’s degree before gaining entry into a master’s program.

The study of divinity examines theology and ministry, particularly Christian theology.

A master’s degree in divinity typically takes three years to complete, though some programs offer accelerated timelines.