Prepare for the Pulpit and Beyond

Whether you’re called to ordained parish ministry or board-certified chaplaincy, the versatile Master of Divinity degree at United will prepare you to be an effective and compassionate faith leader in our ever-changing world.

An MDiv will increase your proficiency and leadership within your current vocational context, enabling you to integrate ministerial competencies in preparation for congregational or denominational ministry, justice work, launching your own ministry or nonprofit, and even secular contexts.

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Degree Overview

MDiv Program Details

Required Credits

To graduate with an MDiv degree, you will be required to complete twenty-four 3-credit courses—for a total of 72 credits—including one field experience (e.g., internship, practicum, CPE, etc.).

Time to Complete

This 72-credit program can be completed in approximately 3 years if you maintain a full-time course load of 9 credits per trimester. Most people attend part-time, taking two 3-credit courses per trimester, completing the degree in approximately 4 years.

Thesis

The MDiv program does not require a final thesis or project, though you can choose to complete a thesis as an elective course.

Earn a Master of Divinity Online

With the ability to complete any MDiv concentration entirely through distance learning, you can earn a Master of Divinity online in the area of study best suited to your unique goals. Students have the option to attend classes either in person or via Zoom, and many courses can be taken completely asynchronously with no required class meetings. Our online MDiv programs cover a diverse range of subjects, preparing you to be an effective spiritual leader in your community. Whatever your calling may be, an online MDiv degree from United can help you fulfill it.

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Learning Outcomes

A graduate of United’s Master of Divinity degree program will be able to:

  • Theology: articulate their theological voice at a graduate level of sophistication and with demonstrated capacity for functioning as theological practitioners;
  • Textual Hermeneutics: demonstrate skills in interpreting religious texts critically and drawing upon a range of traditions and methods, while engaging those texts with contemporary issues;
  • Ethics and Justice: demonstrate historical knowledge, analytical sophistication, and generative imagination as ethically reflective agents;
  • Formation: demonstrate growth and maturity as psycho-social, intellectual, moral, and religious people;
  • World Religions: articulate their own and others’ religious heritage, learn and grow from the spiritual teachings of various religions, and draw from the wisdom traditions of the world in engaging contemporary issues;
  • Religion, Culture, and the Arts: articulate a critical understanding of culture and the arts in historical and contemporary contexts, demonstrate skill in artistic and creative practices, and function as arts practitioners in their faith communities and vocational contexts;
  • Social Transformation: articulate a moral praxis of social transformation, demonstrate cultural competency and skills necessary for justice work, and utilize tools and methods for critical analysis of sociopolitical issues, based on historical knowledge and understanding of change agency;
  • Religious Leadership and Practice: articulate self-awareness as emerging spiritual and religious leaders, develop and refine skills in leadership, and demonstrate ongoing and future-directed practices of education and relationship-building; and
  • Research and Communication: demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly, compellingly, and persuasively, utilizing skills of oral and written communication while skillfully conducting research and scholarly ideas.

“My theological training at United is helping prepare me as a scholar and as a minister and very few seminaries actually do both! United has allowed me to grow in ways that I could have never imagined.”

Chance Martinez-Colon – MDiv, UCC Studies; DMin Student

Master of Divinity Concentrations

United’s MDiv Degree offers the following areas of concentration:

 

Interreligious Chaplaincy
Social Transformation
Theology and the Arts
Church Leadership
Presbyterian Studies
UCC Studies
UU Studies
UU Studies and Social Transformation
Humanist Studies
Interreligious Chaplaincy—Islamic Focus
Spiritual Direction
Biblical Studies
Religion and Theology
General Studies
Frequently Asked Questions

Master of Divinity Degree FAQs

What can I do with a Master of Divinity? 

A Master of Divinity degree prepares you for ordained ministry, chaplaincy, nonprofit leadership, or social transformation work. United’s MDiv program offers 11 concentrations, including Spiritual Direction, Humanist Studies, Social Transformation, UCC Studies and more.

 

Is a Master of Divinity worth it? 

If you’re discerning a call to serve others through ministry leadership, interreligious chaplaincy, or community transformation, a Master of Divinity degree is a meaningful and strategic investment. 

 

How long does it take to earn a Master of Divinity? 

United’s Master of Divinity program is a 72-credit degree that takes 3 years full-time or about 4 years part-time. Our flexible pacing and Distance learning options support both career changers and working students.

 

Is a Master of Divinity degree accredited? 

Yes. United’s Master of Divinity degree is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), the national accrediting body for theological education. Our MDiv degree meets the highest standards for academic rigor and is recognized for chaplaincy certification, Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), and denominational ordination requirements.

 

Can I get an online Master of Divinity degree? 

Yes, United offers a fully online Master of Divinity program designed for students across the U.S. and beyond. Our 100% distance-learning seminary model allows you to complete your theological education remotely without compromising academic quality, community connection, or vocational formation. 

 

How many credits is a Master of Divinity program? 

United’s Master of Divinity program requires 72 credits and includes core coursework in scripture, theology, ethics, and spiritual formation, along with electives that align with your ministry focus. 

 

Do I need to be Christian to pursue an MDiv degree?

No, you do not need to identify as Christian to pursue a Master of Divinity at United. We are an interreligious institution with a religiously diverse student body, and our MDiv program welcomes students from all faith traditions and spiritual backgrounds. Whether you’re preparing for general MDiv studies, Unitarian Universalist ministry, or Interreligious Chaplaincy—an especially popular program for non-Christian students—, United supports your journey with a commitment to justice, equity, and compassion.

 

Is an MDiv degree required for chaplaincy certification?

Yes, board-certified chaplaincy through BCCI typically requires an accredited Master of Divinity. United’s MDiv program meets this requirement and supports Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and interreligious paths. 

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