Master of Divinity
Prepare for ordained ministry or leadership as a lay professional.
72 credit hours. Primarily online or on campus. Complete in 2-4 years.
United’s Master of Divinity (MDiv) meets the requirements for ordination in most major Protestant denominations, though many graduates serve as lay professionals in a variety of fields, including chaplaincy, nonprofit leadership, teaching and social work.
Learning that fits your lifestyle.
Our flexible options are designed to make high-quality education accessible for working pastors and other professionals, making it possible to earn a degree from wherever you live. Courses are available in four formats. Mix and match to suit your schedule and learning style.
- Traditional on-campus courses meet regularly throughout the semester
- Gathering Weeks on campus in Dayton, Ohio take place in October, February, and July.
- Online courses can be completed during the semester.
- Live Interactive Virtual Education (LIVE) courses meet simultaneously on-campus and online.
The MDiv degree can be completed primarily online in 2-4 years.*
*Residency requirements may vary by denomination. Each student must check with her or his own denominational leadership regarding residency requirements for ordination. Flexible Curriculum With 51 core credit hours and 21 elective credits, gain a strong foundation and add electives that equip you to follow God’s call. Want to add a House of Study track or concentration to your MDiv? Use elective courses to specialize in the area of study that fits your calling.- House of Study Tracks (9 elective credit hours)
- Areas of Concentration (12 elective credit hours):
- Biblical Interpretation
- Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
- Church Planting
- Holy Spirit and Renewal
- Ministry Leadership
- Nonprofit Administration
- Preaching
- Wesleyan and Methodist Studies
DEGREE PLAN – 72 CREDIT HOURS
- NT500 Introduction to the New Testament (3)
- OT500 Introduction to the Old Testament (3)
- Any 600 level OT course (3)
- Any 600 level BI/NT course (3)
- CH500 Intro to Church History (3)
- TH502 Introduction to Christian Theology (3)
- Any 600 level CH Course (3)
- Any 600 Level TH Course (3)
- ER503 Church Renewal for Mission (3)
- Any 500 Level Preaching Course (3)
- PC507 Pastoral Care Giving (3)
- Any 600 Level Practical Theology Course (ER, LD, PC, PW) (3)
- CM501 Field Education Unit 1 (0)
- CM510 Contextual Ministry 1 (3)
- CM511 Contextual Ministry 2 (3)
- CM601 Field Education Unit 2 (0)
- CM610 Contextual Ministry 3 (3)
- CM611 Contextual Ministry 4 (3)
- CM620 Methods of Interreligious and Intercultural Encounter (3)
- CM621 Immersion Trip (0)
MDIV Electives – 21 CREDIT HOURS
Students may use elective courses to fulfill concentration and denominational requirements. United Methodists are required to have (6) credits in UM History, Doctrine, and Polity.
MDIV NON-CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
- SS500 Online Master Student Orientation (0)
- SS601 MDiv Mid-Program Review (0)
- SS701 MDiv Final Review (0)
MDIV CONCENTRATIONS AND HOUSE OF STUDY TRACKS
The Master of Divinity degree program graduates persons in the general practice of ministry. The MDiv curriculum provides options for academic concentrations and House of Study tracks. Concentrations include Biblical Interpretation, Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care, Ministry Leadership, Nonprofit Administration, Preaching, and Wesleyan and Methodist Studies. House of Study tracks include Fresh Expressions, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, Global Pentecostal, Global Methodist, Hispanic, and Korean. Students interested in a concentration or House of Study track are encouraged to discuss their interests and needs with their advisors and area faculty. For more information refer to the Academic Catalog.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
1. Complete the entire degree plan requirements listed for the MDiv. 2. Complete all course credits applied toward the MDiv degree within ten years. 3. Participate in United’s Contextual Ministry Program, which includes: • Travel to two Contextual Ministry retreats in early October. • Completion of four Contextual Ministry courses over two years. • Participation in a professionally facilitated ministry group. • Ministry in a church or community site in your area. 4. Participation in a Contextual Theology Immersion Trip.
Residency requirements may vary by denomination. Each student must check with her or his own denominational leadership regarding residency requirements for ordination.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
AT A GLANCE
- $790/Credit Hour
- Average Annual Tuition & Fees*: $16,555
- Average United Aid: $4,025
- Average External Aid: $2,678
Average Annual Cost After Aid: $9,852
*Based on 18 credit hours per year.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS
United provides multiple scholarship opportunities to defray out-of-pocket costs for students. Learn more about tuition, fees, and scholarships here or contact Student Aid at studentaid@united.edu.
1. Scholarship Application
Contact studentaid@united.eduto learn about available scholarships. Continuing students will be notified each year when the scholarship application for the upcoming academic year is available.
2. Decisions
• Award decisions will be made by the Student Aid Committee.
• Communication regarding scholarship awards will be sent via United email.
3. Scholarship Acceptance Requirements
If a scholarship award is received, recipients must do the following to accept and maintain the award:
• Demonstrate appreciation by writing a letter of gratitude to the scholarship benefactor by the date specified on the award letter.
An MDiv degree might be for you if you are interested in…
Senior pastor/elder
Chaplain
Missionary
OUR FACULTY
United strives to cultivate an environment where its students may learn and grow. That’s why our outstanding faculty are faithful Christians who are committed to the academic and spiritual growth of every student. Most are ordained, and many have served as pastors, bringing real-world experience into the classroom.
