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Advanced Master of Divinity

About the Advanced Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Degree

Cedarville’s Advanced Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree will prepare you for effective local church and global ministry. At just 61 hours of coursework with the opportunity for a nine-hour specialization built into the course plan, this degree recognizes your undergraduate Bible coursework and offers you a much faster pathway to ministry. The Advanced M.Div. will recognize up to 30 hours of your prerequisite work. You must have completed at least 21 hours before entering the Advanced M.Div., allowing 9 hours to be completed as graduate hours as part of your M.Div. coursework.

Delivered within a vibrant, comprehensive Christian university setting, Cedarville’s Advanced M.Div. degree is wholly committed to biblical authority, the Great Commission, and equipping the next generation of leaders for the local church.

Program Start Dates

You can enroll and begin classes in August or January.

Pursue Your M.Div.

Curriculum Guide

Advanced M.Div. Program Highlights

Customizable — Choose from eight tracks to customize your M.Div. to your future ministry goals:

Academic Ministry
Biblical Apologetics
Biblical Care and Counseling
Missions
Pastoral Ministry
Women's Ministry
Worship and Theology
Youth and Family Ministry

Ministry experience — Effective ministry takes far more than head knowledge. You need a pure heart and skilled hands. Mentoring, guided weekend ministries, and internships are built into the program to assure you are equipped holistically to fulfill your high calling. Churches in the local community as well as on-campus ministries offer excellent opportunities to disciple, lead, intern, and serve.

Affordably priced — Competitive tuition (among the lowest cost options you'll find) and southwest Ohio's reasonable cost of living make Cedarville's M.Div. an affordable choice for a future pastor or ministry leader.

Comprehensive university — Consider the advantages of preparing for vocational ministry at a comprehensive Christian university. While being taught by outstanding Bible scholars, you’ll rub shoulders on campus with future teachers, engineers, nurses, broadcasters, and more — the kinds of people who’ll be part of your ministry for years to come. And, Cedarville offers an array of cultural, athletic, and social activities for you and your family to enjoy.

Beautiful setting — The Center for Biblical and Theological Studies will be the hub for your Master of Divinity program on our campus in southwest Ohio. This two-story structure features a homiletics laboratory, faculty office suite, collaboration rooms, computer laboratory, email stations, biblical archive gallery, and lounge and vending areas.

What can I do with an M.Div.?

As a Cedarville M.Div. graduate, you will be prepared to continue your studies at the doctoral level or to pursue the following ministry roles:

Adult Discipleship Pastor
Associate Pastor
Bible teacher
Camp Director
Church Counselor
Church Planter
Missionary
Missions Pastor
Philosopher
Senior Pastor
Women's Ministry Coordinator
Writer
Youth Pastor

Opportunities to learn outside the classroom.

Faculty interaction — While you are pursuing a M.Div. degree at Cedarville, you will study with, and be discipled by, faculty members who have esteemed academic credentials and experience as ministers.

Mentorship — You will be mentored by an experienced minister.

Internship — You will apply what you are learning in your coursework during an internship at a church or ministry setting.

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Program Faculty

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Dean, SBTS; Director, MMin Program; Assistant Professor of New Testament and Greek

Photo of Billy Marsh

Director, MDiv Programs; Assistant Professor of Theology

School of Biblical and Theological Studies

Advanced Master of Divinity Program Curriculum

Building upon undergraduate Bible prerequisites, the Advanced M.Div. program includes two classes in each of the following areas: Old Testament, New Testament, and Christian theology, which provide the necessary biblical and theological foundation upon which more than 30 hours of practical ministry courses are built. You will also learn to read and study the Bible in the original languages of Hebrew and Greek.

You can add an Advanced M.Div. to many of Cedarville's popular majors by using one of our bachelor's-to-master's accelerated completion plans.

Sample courses:

Exegesis to Exposition
Text-Driven Preaching

View Curriculum Plan and Catalog