What Types of Pastoral Degrees are there?

There are many different degrees that can play a role in pastoral education. Some of the differences between degrees are related to the subject matter, the intensiveness of study, the methods of study, and the level of education.

Level of education is perhaps the first factor you should understand completely before applying to enroll in any of the pastoral degrees available. You need to understand the requirements for academic education that have been set by your denomination, and these may rely heavily upon education level. You also need to know the academic prerequisites for each type of degree; even if the requirements of your denomination only list “Master of Divinity” there are extensive prerequisites that must be fulfilled before you can enroll in an M.Div. program.

An associate’s degree is the first level of college education. It may be completed in combination with a bachelor’s degree, or you may earn your associate’s first, and then take an additional two years of courses to earn your bachelor’s. Associate’s degrees typically only cover core college courses, but you may have some opportunity to take electives pertinent to pastoral degrees.

The minimum level of education required in terms of most pastoral degrees is the bachelor’s degree. This is a four-year degree program, if you don’t already have an associate’s, or a two year degree program if you have already completed your associates. You’ll be able to choose a major that corresponds with your goals in ministry.

Graduate courses for ministry candidates are required by many denominations. The most commonly required graduate degree is the Master of Divinity. Don’t be fooled by the name-a Master of Divinity degree is set apart from other master’s degrees by having more required courses and taking longer to complete. Nonetheless it is the most commonly required of pastoral degrees.