Master of Arts or Master of Divinity?

[andross77]

I may have to post this in a general forum as well so more people see it . Here's my situation: I've been working in the business world for the 3 years after getting my college degree. I love the people i work with; it's good money; it's an easy commute; but it doesn't motivate me; it's not where my talents are; it's not where my interests are.

So, i've narrowed down my interests to two main fields of study: Theology in general and Psychology (with a counseling/spiritual emphasis). B/c of personal finances i can not just up and quit my job and take on 100k of debt that a graduate (doctorate) level degree would entail. So, i've found a few regionally accredited 100% online degrees that i'm considering.

For theology, it's Liberty University (Jerry Falwell is the Founder and President). For Psychology, it's Northcentral University (not the one in MN). But let's focus on theology since we are in the Christian forums .

I have considered both Wheaton and Trinity for graduate work but both require full time attendance and/or they are both $670+ per hour. This is not financially possible for me. Liberty University is only $225/hr which is about a third of the cost of Wheaton or Trinity and has the same regional accreditation.

I understand the pluses and minuses to online education and brick & mortar education. I have experienced both and i have talked with and read a LOT from people that have attended school either online or B&M.

My problem is (which some may not consider a problem) i don't know EXACTLY what i want (or better, what God wants) to do for a job in the future. I KNOW my interests and talents reside in understanding "the big picture", seeing things from a "spiritual perspective" and really diving into Scripture. I also am fascinated with people's stories; why they do what they do. why they are experiencing certain emotions. why they feel a certain way about a topic.

I guess i wouldn't mind teaching, but i'm SCARED of public speaking and i don't feel qualified to teach God's Word with only a B.A. My favorite part of college was sitting down with one person or a small group of people and talking about life in general. Religion, family, work, food, fun, school, etc were all topics of conversation. So i could see myself as a counselor or psychologist.

Sorry for the rambling, i do that sometimes. Here's my questions. Knowing what i've told you about myself, would it be wiser to get an MA in Bible Studies and get my masters in only 30-36 hours of course work, or should i go "all out" and get an MDiv, which will require 90 hours of study? Both are possible at Liberty University since i can continue to work my job and it's only $225/hr.

Another hesitation i had was Jerry Falwell is very outspoken and when i "wikied" him, i read about a LOT of controversy in his life. He's been sued and he's sued others multiple times. He used to be part of the segregationist movement (blacks and whites should be separate) in the 50's and then disassociated himself with that in the 60's. (I know we all sin, but i just feel weird about a guy that was "racist" at one point and actually thought one human being could have less value than another human being). He does not have an earned Doctorate but two Honorary ones and he still calls himself "Dr. Jerry Falwell". I just worry since he is the Founder and President, but i don't think my degree will be take less work or mean less just b/c the President is "So-and-So".

I'll have more comments but i'll save them for when/if people respond . Thanks for listening.
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[fireman1173005]

I am also looking at going to seminary online. Check out Rockbridge Seminary. They are located in Springfield, Missouri, and are completely online. Best of all clases cost $95/hr.

http://www.rockbridgeseminary.org

 

[emmzee]

andross77, it sounds like you're most interested in a counseling or psychiatrist type role. Why not consider the "MA in Professional Counseling" degree from Liberty instead?
http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=6013
or perhaps the "MA in Human Services"?
http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=6008
Generally speaking, the MA in Biblical Studies is more of an academic degree, and the MDiv is geared more for pastoral work.

Re Liberty and Falwell, I agree that he's a bit of a ... controversial figure On the other hand, there are scholars whom I have a great deal of respect that teach at Liberty (in particular Gary Habermas on the university side and Ergun Caner on the seminary side). So, there's at least some good profs there. Note also that, as far as I could see on the Liberty site, the MDiv program isn't offered via distance ed, and most (all?) of the MA programs have some residency requirements (ex. each summer spend 1 week at the school type of thing).

I had never heard of Rockbridge Seminary. From the website it looks decent, and they seem to have a decent list of faculty but since they are new they are not yet accredited, which could be problematic especially if you're planning to go on to further education later on.

 

[andross77]

Thanks for the replies both of you. I checked out Rockbridge real quick and there are 2 problems. They are not regionally accredited (as you already said). I will not consider a non-accredited school. Even though i think you can get a fine education at a non-accredited school, in general people don't respect that type of degree in the working world. I'm already going to be fighting an uphill battle in terms of perception by going to an online school w/o the problem of the school not being accredited.

Secondly, it says on the tuition page that you can only take 1 class at a time. This is minor compared to the accreditation but i would like the option of being able to take 2 classes or more if i feel i can handle the workload with my job (2 would probably be the max).

Emzee, i think you are mistaken on the distance ed availability of Liberty programs. If you check out their graduate degrees and look at the online programs offered, you will see that only the programs with an "*" next to them require a 1 or 2 week intensive. The ones without an "*", like the MDiv and M.A. in Pastoral Counseling, are completely online and require no residency. Of course to be sure, i'm just going to call their admissions office when i get a free minute and that will clear that up.

I really want a 100% online class. I need to continue my job currently and i already did the learning in an actual classroom and interacting with teachers and classmates thing in grade school, high school and college.

My current plan is to decide on either the MDiv or M.A. in pastoral counseling from Liberty and after i complete that (Lord willing), enroll in Northcentral U's Psych master's and the doctoral programs. I think that would be a powerful combination, but i just don't know where i'd go with it (i.e. i don't have the same job security with bible/psych as i do with accounting. there are 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 accounting jobs available it seems).

thanks for your input guys. I'm also gonna call Rockbridge Seminary and ask them when they applied for RA and what the current/specific status is. Also, Rockbridge was started only 3 years ago whereas Liberty University has name recognition going back 36 years. I know it's no Harvard, but it's something

 

[Hediru]

It sounds like a MA is better suited for you. M. Div. degrees are, at least in my experience, usually comprised of persons pursuing some kind of ordination in their denomination. Don't let having an MA or even just a BA make you feel unqualified. God equips us with the skills we need. Many people are in ministry without the advanced degrees. It all just comes down to what God is calling you to do. I currently have a BA in Christian Education and am in full-time children, adult, and family ministry at a local church. However, I know that this is not where God ultimately wants me to be. I'm pursuing an M.Div. so that I can eventually be ordained. But I could be a very successful minister in a rewarding field doing just what I am now for the rest of my life. No masters required. Pray about it, and go where God leads.

 

[bliz]

Don't go unaccredited. I know, some people have to in order for the school to become accredited, but I still would not advise it.

Don't do Liberty. Too much baggage.

I know some seminaries do a combination of online and on campus (twice in the process, or something like that) I know Fuller does this...

 

[Hediru]

I've been advised against earning a seminary degree completely online because so much in ministry is method and cannot be taught from a text book and requires interaction. But some classes, such as history of the O.T. can be done online, as long as you haven't done ALL your classes that way. At least, that's what I've been told by some people I really respect.

 

[eugeneandbobo]

masters of divinity. thats what i've thought about after i get my other degree

 

[BrianN]

I've got one for you, University of South Africa; very respected and recognized. They have several options up to and including the doctorate level, at low rates. http://www.unisa.ac.za/

 

[andross77]

I've got one for you, University of South Africa; very respected and recognized. They have several options up to and including the doctorate level, at low rates. http://www.unisa.ac.za/

Thanks for the advice guys. I've actually decided upon getting my MDiv from Liberty University. I put much thought and prayer into the decision and received a lot of advice from family and friends. Scripture is my "first love" (speaking academically), not psychology. It is also where God has given me talent. I will be starting this fall, Lord willing, so it's kinda scary. Thanks again for your thoughts, this forum is a blessing.