by Lauren McGuire, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville University will offer a new pre-Master of Divinity minor that will simplify the process for professional undergraduate majors to add a Master of Divinity degree. The pre-M.Div. minor will be available beginning fall 2021.
Students who successfully complete the pre-M.Div. minor, along with the already-required Cedarville University undergraduate Bible minor, can complete the Advanced M.Div. program in two years rather than three, saving an entire year of graduate tuition.
Currently, there are three ways that a student can earn their M.Div. degree at Cedarville University. They may get their Bachelor of Arts in biblical studies degree and M.Div. degree in a five-year accelerated program, a three-year standard M.Div. degree with no required prerequisites in Bible coursework for application and a two-year Advanced M.Div. degree that requires 30 hours of prerequisite coursework in order to apply.
“Some students think that if they did not enroll in the B.A./M.Div. program that they have missed their opportunity to do an M.Div. at Cedarville, but this assumption is not true at all,” said Dr. Billy Marsh, M.Div. director and assistant professor of theology.
“The pre-M.Div. minor offers a tremendous opportunity for students in other undergraduate majors still to be on a path toward pursuing ministry education and preparation in an Advanced M.Div. program at Cedarville that is characterized by rigorous academics, affordability, and time efficiency.”
The pre-M.Div. minor is 15 credit hours made up of five classes and includes several choices for each of the required three-credit-hour courses. For example, students may pick between Introduction to Mission or Personal Evangelism to fulfill one of their requirements.
“We believe any quality study in the Word of God is beneficial for the people of God toward the church's maturity in Christ and gospel mission,” said Marsh.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,550 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including the Master of Divinity program, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.