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An online master's in divinity provides advanced education in Christian teachings and congregational leadership. By studying divinity at the graduate level, students learn practical skills to become pastoral leaders, such as priests and ministers. The coursework involves an extensive study of the Bible and its interpretations alongside counseling and sermon preparation techniques. 

An M.Div is considered a professional degree for Christian clergy, and many denominations require ministers to earn one before they're even ordained. The requirements for ordination differ by denomination, so be sure to ask your church about the necessary qualifications.

To be considered for an M.Div, applicants must fulfill some basic requirements. For example, applicants must have a bachelor's degree. This undergraduate degree can generally be in any subject because most programs don’t require prerequisite courses. However, prospective students should verify their program’s requirements before applying. Applicants should also be prepared to prove their membership in a faith community. Admissions officers will usually only admit students who are members of a particular denomination.

Online learning enables students to attend to personal responsibilities while studying at convenient times. Some colleges offer affordable online programs with recorded lectures and opportunities for students to participate in asynchronous discussions. This curriculum includes an internship or supervised ministry experience under a church leader’s guidance. Even if a program offers fully online coursework, field experience will usually be in person at a site near the student's location. Overall, most online M.Div. programs require 72-90 credit hours and take 2-3 years of full-time study to complete. If a part-time schedule is preferred, students can expect to complete their master’s degree in 3-4 years.

An M.Div. is designed for those who want to be ministers or priests, whereas a master's in theology is intended for those who want a career outside the ministry. Therefore, an M.Div. program often includes courses in organizational leadership, administration, and public speaking in addition to theological studies. Meanwhile, a master’s in theology — which is often a Master of Arts degree — may help graduates earn jobs in a range of fields including pastoral counseling or even academia.

Both master’s degrees can serve as stepping-stones toward a doctoral program. The terminal degree for M.Div alumni is a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), while theology graduates may eventually achieve a Doctor of Theology (Th.D.). A D.Min. can help clergy qualify for higher pastoral leadership positions, while a Th.D. may be necessary for a tenure-track professor.

Graduate divinity programs often differ based on a school’s denomination. However, most master's degrees have several courses in common to ensure that future ministers and priests understand the history and practices of their respective churches. A few of these common courses are listed below.

• Introduction to Hebrew: Online learners can choose to study a major language of Christian scripture. Professors introduce ancient Hebrew's alphabet, syntax, and vocabulary, along with contested interpretations of key passages. Interested students may choose to specialize in this language and take further sequenced courses.
• History of Theology: This course covers the development of Christian thought, from early writers to the present. Students learn about the Great Schism and Protestant Reformation, which split Christianity into three major traditions over 500 years. Faculty often conclude the course by discussing contemporary theologians and current debates in the field.
• Marital Counseling: Students learn to combine practices from marriage and family therapy with their church's doctrine. Depending on the denomination, an approach that avoids divorce may be emphasized. Faculty may also outline a framework for premarital counseling required by many churches.
• New Testament Interpretation: Students closely examine the Christian Bible’s most recent books, especially their relevance to current theology and doctrine. Students learn the history of hermeneutics, or biblical interpretation, so they can apply this skill to their reading technique. Faculty may discuss questions of authorship alongside books’ historical context.
• Old Testament Interpretation: This course introduces the Christian Bible’s oldest texts. Professors discuss the historical context of these books, their collection process, and their interpretations throughout the centuries. Students might also learn the latest textual and archaeological research relevant to the Old Testament.
• Preaching: Future clergy of all denominations take this course to learn how to conceptualize, write, and deliver engaging sermons by drawing on effective rhetorical practices. The faculty illustrate the importance of drawing lessons from weekly scripture readings to illuminate moral and religious dilemmas in the lives of churchgoers. Often, students must deliver several practice sermons to the class.
• Strategic Planning and Leadership: Drawing on organizational theory and strategic leadership practices, this class is intended to mold future clergy into successful leaders. Students learn to articulate their faith community's mission, so they can develop effective policies. Topics may include budgeting, strategic communications, and efficient organizational structure.

Tuition rates for the most affordable colleges with online M.Div. degrees range from $5,500 to $19,152, with a median rate of  $12,341. To reduce the amount students will owe after graduation, they should rely on grants, scholarships, work-study funding, and other gift aid before taking out student loans. When considering a loan, most students prefer to rely on federal loans — rather than private lenders — because they offer fixed interest rates, flexible repayment plans, and loan forgiveness options. 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an application to the largest funding pools: federal/state grants, loans, work-study programs, and many university-based scholarships. Our FAFSA guide walks students through the application process.

While online students are generally eligible for the same financial aid as campus-based students, some scholarships or grants may be limited to those who attend in person. To verify whether a student qualifies for aid, students should check all eligibility requirements before applying. For example, financial aid is usually restricted to students who enroll in a regionally or nationally accredited college. Also, some financial aid may only be available to students who enroll full-time or are considered state residents for tuition purposes.

To help reduce tuition and fees, graduate students applying for an online master's degree in divinity should apply for all available financial aid. There are four sources of financial aid: the federal government, state governments, universities, and private sources such as non-profit organizations, churches, or businesses.

M.Div students have access to many additional funding options through faith-based associations. Some awards are available to all M.Div students, while others target specific groups, such as those preparing for a career in ministry or women preparing for missionary work. Below are some available scholarship opportunities.

• : This award is open to students enrolled in a Master of Divinity degree who plan to become Unitarian Universalist ministers. Other eligibility requirements and award amounts vary by scholarship.
• : This grant awards up to $6,000 to support Master of Divinity students who are active members of the Presbyterian Church. To be considered, students must be enrolled full-time at a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), and they must also demonstrate financial need. A loan-forgiveness program is also offered for part-time and temporary pastors of small congregations and newer worship communities.
• : The Disciples Home Mission coordinates a range of scholarships available to members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) enrolled in an ATS-accredited school in preparation for ministry in the Christian Church. Award amounts and eligibility requirements vary, but students must demonstrate financial need and be pursuing a Master of Divinity or equivalent program.
• : The Brentwood United Methodist Church Foundation awards a $6,000 scholarship to active members of the United Methodist Church in the Southeastern Jurisdiction. Students pursuing their M.Div at an accredited university are eligible to apply, but they must demonstrate active church membership for at least five years prior to applying in a Southeastern state.

It's helpful to discuss financial assistance with a school’s financial aid office. They can let students know whether the aid received can be used at that school, and they can also find out if other scholarships are available based on a student’s program and career goals.

While many master's degrees require only 30-48 credit hours, the average M.Div degree can take up to 90 credit hours, making it more time-consuming and expensive than other degrees. Therefore, it's natural to wonder if this degree is worth the investment. If you feel called to become an ordained clergy member, the satisfaction of pursuing your vocation will likely be worth the effort.

Opting to earn your degree online gives you greater flexibility in your schedule and allows you to choose from a broader range of programs — some more affordable than others — without relocating. However, the opportunity to interact with others of the same faith while pursuing an M.Div. may be an important component of your experience.

There are numerous opportunities to provide pastoral care without this degree. For example, some denominations have never required a master's degree, and over the last decade, additional churches have begun to reconsider their stance on this requirement. In addition, some churches have loosened their educational requirements for clergy, often using alternative titles, such as "lay clergy." Check with the governing body of your denomination to determine your options for church service and the associated educational requirements.