Do you feel called to become a leader in Christian ministries? Discover the 35 best online master’s in divinity to kickstart your career.
Whether you want to become a pastor, missionary, or chaplain, a master’s in divinity degree will get you there. With this graduate degree, you will be qualified for a variety of careers in the field of divinity. Your chosen master’s program will give you the contextual understanding of the scriptures while also enabling you to dive deeper into your own faith.
What Is a Master’s in Divinity Degree?
A master’s in divinity is a graduate-level degree that focuses on the biblical, theological, and ethical principles of effective ministry. This degree is designed predominantly for individuals who are seeking leadership opportunities, involving pastoral, chaplaincy, and counseling roles.
Students within this master’s program will be able to interpret biblical context, provide spiritual guidance, and understand theological principles on a deeper level. Depending on your level of coursework each semester, these online master’s programs can take anywhere from two to four years to complete.
How Much Can You Earn With a Master’s in Divinity Degree?
With a master’s in divinity, your earnings can fluctuate based on your ministerial role. Not all graduates of this program turn out to become pastors. You will have the knowledge and understanding to qualify for a church planter, evangelist, or counselor. According to PayScale, the median salary for a professional with a master’s in divinity is $53,000 per year.
Here are several positions and salaries held by graduates of this master’s program:
- Pastor: $62,000
- Senior Pastor: $62,000
- Chaplain: $50,000
- Associate Pastor: $50,000
What Is Required for a Master’s in Divinity Degree?
When enrolling in a master’s program in divinity, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized college or accredited university. Some institutions may even require that the undergraduate degree is within a similar program or related field.
All master’s programs are different in terms of how many credit hours are required to reach degree completion. Typically, the requirement lies anywhere between 30-90 credits.
Also depending on the program, you may have to write a research-based thesis, take a capstone course, participate in an internship, or pass an exit exam prior to receiving your graduate-level degree.
What Are the Best Master’s in Divinity Degrees?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program-specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program-specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.