Masters of Arts in Religion or Masters of Divinity?

[daveleau]

Hi everybody!

I am currently enrolled at Liberty Theological Seminary in their Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) (General focus). I have the opportunity to change to a Masters of Divinity (Biblical Studies focus). Should I?

Goals: Teach in seminary/ become a Christian author/ possibly preach part time/ pursue a ThD or PhD

Funding: Either way, tuition is paid for through the USAF Tuition Assistance

Problems with going MAR: If I get a 45 hour MAR and complete the MAR, then I cannot get the USAF to pay for the rest of the MDiv. If I change to MDiv prior to completing the MAR, then they will pay for the whole thing.

Goal hurdles: I have to retire from the USAF in 16 years prior to applying for my ThD. So, time is not a factor regarding getting an MDiv or MAR.

Is an MDiv going to help with admissions for a ThD later?
What advantages does having a MDiv give me over an MAR?

Thank you for any help!

God bless you,
Dave

 

[Doubledb]

Hi everybody!

I am currently enrolled at Liberty Theological Seminary in their Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) (General focus). I have the opportunity to change to a Masters of Divinity (Biblical Studies focus). Should I?

Goals: Teach in seminary/ become a Christian author/ possibly preach part time/ pursue a ThD or PhD

Funding: Either way, tuition is paid for through the USAF Tuition Assistance

Problems with going MAR: If I get a 45 hour MAR and complete the MAR, then I cannot get the USAF to pay for the rest of the MDiv. If I change to MDiv prior to completing the MAR, then they will pay for the whole thing.

Goal hurdles: I have to retire from the USAF in 16 years prior to applying for my ThD. So, time is not a factor regarding getting an MDiv or MAR.

Is an MDiv going to help with admissions for a ThD later?
What advantages does having a MDiv give me over an MAR?

Thank you for any help!

God bless you,
Dave

If you are thinking about teaching and/or writing books i hear the best road is actually to get a Masters in Theology. Ive been told that a Masters in Divinity is more for the practical side of ministry, such as a vocaitonal call to youth ministry, pastorate, missions - while a masters in theology is geared more towards those who are going to teach and write - because it more technical i believe. Im not sure about a Master of Arts in Religion though. Is it really broad? what subjects are you studying? what was your undegre degree, major, and minor?

 

[HiredGoon]

I'm in seminary working on a M.A. in Historical Theology. I've also thought about teaching, either in seminary or college. When looking at the faculty profiles of various seminaries I noticed that the majority of seminary professors had an M.Div., went on to earn the Th.M. and then the Ph.D. or Th.D. Some skipped the Th.M and went right to the Ph.D. Others earned an M.A. rather than M.Div. before their Ph.D.

I believe a lot depends on what subject you want to teach, in regards to what degree you pursue. If you want to teach Systematic Theology (for example) and preach in churches part time, then the M.Div. route would be a really good choice. If you want to teach Church History, (like I do), than an M.Div. is not going to help a whole lot.

Also, when pursuing a Ph.D. or Th.D. the majority of schools require you learn an ancient and a modern research language. Most M.Div. programs require Hebrew and Greek, so that helps you out with the ancient research language requirement. Not all M.A.R. programs train you in an ancient language.

Just some thoughts.

 

[daveleau]

Thanks for the help so far.

My current MA Religion is a general focus. I've taken 4 courses so far (Hermeneutics, Systematic Theology I, NT Intro and OT Intro). These classes all transfer over and fit into the MDiv. The MDiv I am interested in is the Biblical Studies. The school I am attending does not have an MTh program. I do want to get ym ThD or PhD later. My MAR does have room for Greek and Hebrew, but they are not required. I'd get 9 hours in both in the MDiv BS.

My undergrad is from The Citadel (military college) and was a BS Biology. I had no minor, although I had enough Chem credits to get a minor in Chem at any other school.

I am not sure what I want to teach, yet. My background gives me a good basis for teaching some aspects of apologetics (evolution/creation debate), but I am not sure exactly what I want to teach.

 

[Doubledb]

The school I am attending does not have an MTh program. I do want to get ym ThD or PhD later. My MAR does have room for Greek and Hebrew, but they are not required. I'd get 9 hours in both in the MDiv BS.

well the seminary where i added suggest greek for the regular Master in Divinity but does not require it unless your focus is biblical studies.. then you learn greek and hebrew. i would suggest you do the master in divinity, rather than the master of arts in religion, because it is more specific. The only problem i could see is that you might be a little bit behind some other people who have has religion in their undergrad.. but i would just suggest you be open to ask questions and learn as much as you can in your intro classes.

I am working on my Masters in Divinity right now - my undergrad was in religion and minor in youth ministry - some of the stuff i am learning seems a bit beyond me but thats good cause it makes my mind reach. it forces me to learn things i didnt know before.

-Doubledb

 

[daveleau]

The biggest thing I've had problems with thusfar is the philosophy. Being a science-minded person (in study) I have a hard time with philosophy. But, things are going well so far in my MAR (grade-wise). Thanks for the inputs, they are very helpful.