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Master of Divinity

Graduate School of Ministry

Format

Online

Credits

Time to Graduation

3-4 Years

Cost per Credit Hour

$685

Mastering God's Word

Students receive a Biblical and theological understanding so they can serve with confidence and effectiveness in a variety of ministry positions such as a lead pastor, pastoral counselor, chaplain, international worker, and theological educator.

Why study Divinity at Crown College?

Convenient

Our program is primarily online, perfect for busy working adults. Most courses last eight weeks, creating an optimized and efficient learning environment. Students are assigned an academic advisor who walks alongside them to help every student succeed.

Experienced Faculty

Our program is led by individuals with excellent scholarship and experience in the ministry field at the global scale. Built within each course are discussion posts designed to bolster the online community and expand every student’s network.

Affordable

Graduates of Crown’s Masters of Divinity program can be confident they are receiving a degree at an affordable price compared to other programs. For more information, visit our financial aid page.

I was really worried about interacting with professors as it was new to me. I’d always been an in-person, but it was actually really seamless. What I really loved is a lot of my professors had different ways to that. They wanted to communicate and would always provide that to you. I had some professors that before classes would start, would offer online forums for you to meet the professor and ask them questions, get live information about the class along with me and your peers.

Cate Jarema

Careers

Lead Pastor
Chaplain
Theological Educator

Advanced Degrees

Doctor of Ministry
Doctor of Theology
Doctor of Intercultural Studies

Who Should Apply?

Individuals without a theology undergraduate degree.
Those called into vocational ministry as a second career.
Ministry leaders seeking deeper theological understanding.
Church staff and volunteers ready to expand their ministry roles.

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Bill Kuhn

Dean, School of Theology + Ministry

Dr. Erin Bell

Core Faculty Member

Dr. Nick Fox

Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Ministry | Chair of Biblical, Theological, + Ministry Studies

Crown College’s Graduate School of Ministry programs are accredited with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). This prestigious accreditation provides students with the assurance of Crown’s academically excellent and robust theological education.

The Graduate School of Ministry programs are designed to meet the needs of students regardless of their life context, with courses held primarily online and optimized for an effective online learning environment. ATS accreditation provides Crown’s graduate theological programs a structure for continuous improvement and expands opportunities for students to launch into ministry and further education.

Viewbook: Life at Crown

Crown College Lookbook

Preview of Courses

MIN 5510 - The Biblical Communicator

Through this course students will develop their skills in interpreting Scripture and in communicating biblical truth one-on-one, in small groups/teams and in large groups. Attention will be given to the historical, grammatical and literary study of biblical passages in their contexts and to the unique communication skills required for connecting one-on-one, with a small group and in large groups.

BBL 5220 - New Testament Greek for Biblical Research

An introduction to the grammar and vocabulary of New Testament Greek with the goal of being able to utilize electronic resources and read exegetical commentaries.

MIN 5881 - Chaplaincy in the Graduate Context I

Partnering with the Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training (ICPT) on their external site, students who complete the supervised mentoring process successfully will be eligible for a graduate certificate of completion from ICPT for CPE Unit 1. Students will become familiar with a variety of reflection tools through readings, research and other articles, case studies, and activities in which they reflect upon and apply the information learned. (Course Fee) By permission only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do with a Master of Divinity?

The Master of Divinity prepares students to serve confidently across a wide range of ministry roles, including lead pastor, pastoral counselor, chaplain, international worker, and theological educator. As Crown’s most comprehensive ministry degree, it’s the standard credential for those pursuing senior pastoral leadership, chaplaincy, or further graduate study such as the Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Theology, or Doctor of Intercultural Studies.

How is the Master of Divinity different from Crown's M.A. ministry programs?

The M.Div is Crown’s most in-depth and comprehensive ministry degree, going broader and deeper than the focused M.A. programs. It includes biblical languages, advanced theological study, and ministry practice, making it the typical choice for lead pastoral roles, chaplaincy, and theological education. Students seeking a shorter or more specialized path may prefer the M.A. in Ministry Leadership, M.A. in Pastoral Counseling, or M.A. in Christian Studies.

Does Crown's M.Div prepare students for chaplaincy?

Yes. The program includes a chaplaincy course (Chaplaincy in the Graduate Context) offered in partnership with the Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training (ICPT). Students who successfully complete the supervised mentoring process are eligible for an ICPT graduate certificate of completion for CPE Unit 1, an important step for many chaplaincy paths. Prospective chaplains should confirm specific endorsement and CPE requirements for their setting.

Does the Master of Divinity include biblical languages like Greek?

Yes. The curriculum includes New Testament Greek, where students learn the grammar and vocabulary needed to use exegetical resources and read commentaries. This biblical-language training is part of what distinguishes the M.Div from Crown’s shorter M.A. ministry degrees and supports careful, text-based preaching and teaching.

Can I complete the M.Div online while working?

Yes. The program is offered primarily online and built for busy working adults, with most courses running in focused eight-week terms. Each student is paired with an academic advisor for support, and coursework includes discussion-based interaction with faculty and peers to build community.

Is Crown's Master of Divinity accredited?

Yes. Crown College’s Graduate School of Ministry programs, including the Master of Divinity, are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), a leading accreditor of graduate theological education in the U.S. and Canada. ATS accreditation is widely recognized for ordination and chaplaincy paths and assures students the degree meets established academic and theological standards.

What's the difference between a Master of Theology and a Master of Divinity?

The two degrees serve different stages of theological education. The Master of Divinity (M.Div) is a broad, foundational professional degree that prepares students for ministry leadership, covering Bible, theology, biblical languages, and pastoral practice, and usually requires no prior theological degree. The Master of Theology (Th.M.) is a shorter degree focusing on concentrated study or research, often as a step toward doctoral work. In short, the M.Div builds the comprehensive foundation for ministry. Crown’s Master of Divinity is its most comprehensive ministry degree and a common starting point for further graduate study such as the Doctor of Ministry or Doctor of Theology.

What can I pursue after completing the Master of Divinity?

The M.Div opens doors to senior ministry roles such as lead pastor, chaplain, and theological educator, and serves as a foundation for doctoral study. Crown’s Doctor of Ministry is the natural next step for graduates continuing their education.

Related Programs

M.A. in Pastoral Counseling
M.A. in Ministry Leadership
M.A. in Christian Studies

Next Steps

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