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About the Advanced Master of Divinity (MDiv) Degree

Why Pursue Your Advanced MDiv Degree at Cedarville?

If you've already completed 21 or more hours of undergraduate Bible coursework, the Advanced Master of Divinity (MDiv) is your faster pathway to ministry! At just 61 hours of coursework with the opportunity for a nine-hour specialization, this residential program will equip you for effective local church and global ministry. Up to 30 hours of your prerequisite work will be recognized, so you can focus on growing in knowledge of God's Word and applying it within your ministry.

You'll experience the Advanced MDiv degree within a vibrant, comprehensive Christian university setting here at Cedarville. During your studies, you can be assured that you're pursuing a degree wholly committed to biblical authority, the Great Commission, and to equipping the next generation of leaders for the local church.

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What Sets Cedarville Apart?

  • Conservative Theology
    Be equipped for ministry by professors committed to the authority of Scripture.

  • Practical Ministry Experience
    Mentoring, guided ministries, and internships are built into the program to equip you holistically to fulfill your high calling.

  • Affordable
    Affordable tuition and southwest Ohio's reasonable cost of living make Cedarville’s MDiv an affordable choice.

Program Overview

Advanced MDiv Program Highlights

Comprehensive University — Consider the advantages of preparing for vocational ministry at a comprehensive Christian university. While being taught by outstanding Bible scholars, you’ll rub shoulders on campus with future teachers, engineers, nurses, broadcasters, and more — the kinds of people who’ll be part of your ministry for years to come. And, Cedarville offers an array of cultural, athletic, and social activities for you and your family to enjoy.

Beautiful Setting — The Center for Biblical and Theological Studies will be the hub for your Master of Divinity program on our campus in southwest Ohio. This two-story structure features a homiletics laboratory, faculty office suite, collaboration rooms, computer laboratory, email stations, biblical archive gallery, and lounge and vending areas.

Ministry Experience — Effective ministry takes far more than head knowledge. You need a pure heart and skilled hands. Mentoring, guided weekend ministries, and internships are built into the program to assure you are equipped holistically to fulfill your high calling. Churches in the local community as well as on-campus ministries offer excellent opportunities to disciple, lead, intern, and serve.

Affordably Priced — Competitive tuition (among the lowest cost options you'll find) and southwest Ohio's reasonable cost of living make Cedarville’s MDiv an affordable choice for a future pastor or ministry leader.

Customizable — Choose from eight tracks to customize your MDiv to your future ministry goals:

  • Academic Ministry
  • Biblical Apologetics
  • Biblical Care and Counseling*
  • Missions
  • Pastoral Ministry
  • Women's Ministry
  • Worship and Theology
  • Youth and Family Ministry

*This track is not designed to meet all educational and experiential requirements for licensure as a counselor.

Man preaching in the David Jeremiah Chapel

Top 7 Reasons to Complete Your MDiv at Cedarville

From competitive costs to mentoring faculty relationships, learn seven reasons why Cedarville is the right choice for your Master of Divinity degree.

Learn 7 Reasons

What Can You Do With an MDiv?

As a Cedarville MDiv graduate, you will be prepared to continue your studies at the doctoral level or to pursue the following ministry roles:

  • Associate Pastor
  • Camp Director
  • Christian Education Director
  • Church Planter
  • Missionary
  • Philosopher
  • Senior Pastor
  • Writer
  • Youth Pastor

Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

Faculty Interaction — While you are pursuing a MDiv degree at Cedarville, you will study with, and be discipled by, faculty members who have esteemed academic credentials and experience as ministers.

Mentorship — You will be mentored by an experienced minister.

Internship — You will apply what you are learning in your coursework during an internship at a church or ministry setting.

Enrichment Events — You will take part in activities such as coffee talks with special guests, professional seminar, pastoral finance seminar, Title IX sessions, ministry fair, and more that will enrich your education and prepare you for ministry.

Admission, Costs and Aid, Start Dates

Admission Requirements — The first step in your graduate school journey at Cedarville is to apply for admission.

MDiv Admission Requirements

Costs and Financial Aid — Your decision to pursue quality, Christian graduate education represents a valuable investment in your career and professional development. To assure your degree is also affordable, Cedarville graduate programs are competitively priced and can be supplemented with a variety of financial aid.

MDiv Cost Information

Program Start Dates — You can enroll and begin classes in August or January.

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Program Curriculum

Building upon undergraduate Bible prerequisites, the Advanced MDiv program includes two classes in each of the following areas: Old Testament, New Testament, and Christian theology, which provide the necessary biblical and theological foundation upon which more than 30 hours of practical ministry courses are built. You will also learn to read and study the Bible in the original languages of Hebrew and Greek.

You can add an Advanced MDiv to many of Cedarville's popular majors by following our accelerated bachelor's-to-master's pathway.

Sample courses:

  • Exegesis to Exposition
  • Text-Driven Preaching

Program Format and Related Programs

Cedarville offers both graduate and undergraduate programs, with flexible completion options. You may also want to consider these related programs as you consider the degree or program that is a best fit for you.

Program Level and Format

  • Graduate
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From Our Dean:

  • We focus on grounding our students in a Bible and theology core and practical ministry skills.
    Trent Rogers, PhD, Dean of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies
    Dr. Trent Rogers
Learn About Career Services

Program Contacts

Photo of Trent Rogers

Trent Rogers, PhD

Dean of SBTS, Associate Professor of NT and Greek

Contact

Photo of Billy Marsh

Billy Marsh, PhD

Associate Professor of Theology, Director of MDiv Programs

Contact

School of Biblical and Theological Studies

Program News

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    Cedarville Stories Podcast: Faithfulness Over Reluctance

    2004 alumnus Philip Miller was installed as senior pastor at The Moody Church in downtown Chicago in 2020. He is now part of a long line of faithful men of God who have served at this signature evangelical church.
  • Dr. Michael McKay teaches New Testament Literature on the first day of his class fall semester with his wife, Lee-Ann, looking on from far left

    Dr. Michael McKay: "I Should Be Dead"

    The fact that Dr. Michael McKay, assistant professor of biblical theology, is teaching at Cedarville this fall is a miracle. By his own account, he shouldn’t even be here.