What is the?Comparison Between Master of Ministry and Master of Divinity Degrees?

Seminary education includes a wide range of degree and certificate programs, each of which has a distinct purpose. Many people misunderstand the distinct purposes of a master of divinity and a master of ministry. Read further to know the differences between a master of divinity and a master of ministry.

Speaking of the various programs offered by seminaries, it is important to note that while degree programs are credit-based and offer formal education, certificate programs, on the other hand, do not have credit-based courses and offer training in specific subjects. When it comes to formal degrees, there are 3 types of master’s degree programs, namely, master of divinity, master of arts, and master of theology programs. If you want to expand your knowledge in the field of divinity, then you can choose one of the best online master of divinity degree programs offered by a renowned university. After pursuing any of the degree programs, many students opt for doctoral programs.

Let us now look at the comparison between master of divinity and master of ministry degrees.

Comparison between master of ministry and master of divinity degrees

Master of divinity:

Master of divinity is a degree program in which one receives a formal master’s education in the field of divinity. This master’s program concerns the study of God and the revelation of God. The program explains how God has made the revelation of His existence through the Scripture and Jesus Christ. If you want to become a minister in the Church or a pastor, then a master of divinity degree online program is highly recommended for you.

To dive into Church ministry, the students pursuing a master of divinity program study the Bible thoroughly. Also, they learn about the biblical languages and the various interpretations of the Bible. These students can develop various skills through this program, such as leadership skills, counseling skills, and ministerial skills. The primary objective of a master of divinity degree online program is to prepare students who want to build a career where they need to preach God’s teachings and principles.

Master of arts:

While a master of divinity degree program offers a deeper understanding of the subjects related to divinity, a master of arts program, on the other hand, offers comprehensive knowledge about theology, liberal arts, and biblical teachings. If you want to teach ministry or become a pastoral counselor, then you should do a master of divinity program. Whereas, if you want to teach in a Catholic institution offering higher education or want to learn the practical aspects of ministry, then a master of arts program would be an ideal choice.

A master of arts is a degree program in which one receives a formal master’s education in the field of liberal arts. This program includes various topics such as basic theology, interpretation of the Bible, introduction to the old and new testaments, and spiritual development. The students can also specialize in other topics relevant to liberal arts such as communication, leadership, history, practical ministry, and more.

There are two types of master of arts degrees, namely academic master of arts and professional master of arts. With the help of an academic master of arts degree, you can become a professor in a Catholic institution. Whereas, with the help of a professional master of arts degree, you can acquire a broader knowledge about various topics such as philosophy, psychology, education, and others.

Both the master of divinity and master of arts degree programs have distinct purposes. If you want Bible preaching as a part of your profession, then you will need to learn the various biblical languages. For this, you will need to pursue a master of divinity degree program instead of a master of arts degree program. The above-mentioned comparison between a master of divinity and a master of arts degree program will help you understand the differences between divinity and ministry programs. If you want to pursue a master of divinity degree program, then you can enroll in one of the best online masters of divinity programs available in various reputed institutions.

St. Bernard’s University is a reputed Roman Catholic school that offers a plethora of degree and certificate programs including master of divinity and master of arts degree programs. St. Bernard’s offers both online and offline programs with flexible timings. The institute prepares its students to become Church ministers, pastoral counselors, Catholic professors, and more.