Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity degree is designed primarily for students who wish to become an elder or an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church or a church of a different Christian denomination.

Graduates will be transformative leaders grounded in deep scriptural and theological understanding, empowering them to engage in ethical reflection, preach, lead worship and serve with compassion and conviction, strengthening the church and embodying a faithful presence in society.

While the program is primarily for students of a Christian faith background, Perkins faculty are diverse in gender, race, ethnicity and culture, denominational affiliation, and perhaps most interestingly, theological perspective. What they have in common is a deep commitment to training leaders for the church.

The M.Div. program has multiple areas of concentration that focus on different denominations, including African American church studies, Baptist studies and more.

Each of these programs has different timelines, areas of vocation and goals and outcomes. The M.Div. is the most rigorous program, with 75 credit hours and a mandatory internship. A graduate from this program desires to be an elder or ordained minister.

The M.A.M. requires 36 credit hours plus an internship and is for those seeking to be a ministerial leader in the church. Finally, the M.T.S. requires 48 credit hours plus a written thesis or summative project. These graduates strengthen their theological education for personal enrichment, leadership in the church as a lay minister, or to lay the groundwork for an academic doctorate in religious studies.

Students in the M.Div. degree program may choose to concentrate in an area of theological studies.

• African American church studies 
• Baptist studies
• Health care chaplaincy
• Pastoral care
• Theology and science

SMU offers a range of financial aid options that can help you pursue your vocation without being burdened by a large debt. Ninety-eight percent of Perkins students seeking a master’s degree of divinity receive a scholarship. Additionally, Perkins offers a free financial literacy program for all students.

Perkins programs are differentiated by their courses, timelines, and overall goals and outcomes, allowing prospective students to follow a path best suited for them that aligns with their vocation. Additionally, the M.Div. offers 24 credit hours of elective space to allow further customization.

The Master of Divinity is structured to allow a concentration in a particular area of interest:

• African American church studies 
• Baptist studies
• Health care chaplaincy
• Pastoral care
• Theology and science

Yes. At Perkins, hybrid/online means that almost three-fourths of studies will be completed online, allowing students to continue to serve in their ministry context while continuing with their education. In-person degree requirements are completed through four weeklong immersions, fostering connection through learning communities. Immersion courses are offered not just in Dallas but in various ministry settings across the nation.

Perkins acknowledges the longing for connectedness at seminary and fulfills that longing by providing the immersion experiences that foster togetherness. In the hybrid/online program, you will build relationships from afar and in person.

The weeklong immersions will include course instruction, shared meals, worship, engagement with ministries/leaders and free time for study, relaxation and building community and relationships with other students.

Graduates can move into roles based on advocacy and relationship-building skills within and beyond United Methodist, Black/Africana or Baptist congregational settings; become a health care chaplain at a church, hospital or other congregation; pursue a career in theological ethics merging technologies (including bioengineering and artificial intelligence) and ecological/environmental issues such as human contributions to climate change.

Graduates typically complete the Master of Divinity degree between 3–7 years. The M.Div. program requires 75 credit hours of academic credit, inclusive of a supervised internship. All degree requirements must be completed within seven calendar years from the time of initial registration.

A minimum of four courses (12 credit hours) must be taken as in-person courses, typically through intensives or immersions.