Master of Divinity Equivalency Determination
MDiv Equivalency: The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) requires an MDiv degree or its educational equivalent for admission to a doctor-of-ministry program. In most circumstances, an applicant will hold an MDiv degree. A student may be admitted to one of McCormick’s doctor-of-ministry programs without an MDiv degree by meeting the following requirements in order to establish MDiv-equivalency:
Possession of a master's degree in a related field from an accredited graduate school or seminary, plus additional graduate study as necessary, that together account for a minimum of 72 credit hours of graduate-level course credit in the following areas:
BIBLE: a minimum of 4 courses, or 12 credit hours, that will normally include two courses in Old Testament studies and two courses in New Testament studies, one of which shall be an exegesis course in Old or New Testament studies;
HISTORY, THEOLOGY AND ETHICS: a minimum of six courses, or 18 credit hours, that will normally include at least two courses in theology, two courses in history, and one course in ethics;
MINISTRY: A minimum of four courses, or 12 credit hours, in fields related to practical ministry (including but not limited to pastoral care, worship and preaching, Christian education, spiritual formation, etc.);
The remaining 30 credit hours may be taken in electives germane to an MDiv degree and to the applicant’s own place and role in ministry.
OR
Possession of a professional master’s degree (in a broad variety of fields of study and practice—MBA, MSW, MEd, MPsy, etc)—from an accredited graduate school, plus a minimum of 42 credit hours of graduate-level coursework in Bible, theology, and ministry, that includes the following distribution:
BIBLE: a minimum of 4 courses, or 12 credit hours, that will normally include two course in Old Testament studies and two courses in New Testament studies, one of which shall be an exegesis course in Old or New Testament studies;
HISTORY, THEOLOGY AND ETHICS: a minimum of six courses, or 18 credit hours, that will normally include at least two courses in theology, two courses in history, and one course in ethics;
MINISTRY: A minimum of four courses, or 12 credit hours, in fields related to practical ministry (including but not limited to pastoral care, worship and preaching, Christian education, spiritual formation, etc.
All other admissions requirements must be met. The final decision as to admission remains with the Admissions Committee.
Please contact the Admissions Office to discuss M.Div. Equivalency.
The Equivalency Calculator may be used to help determine what additional coursework, if any, must be completed before equivalency may be determined.
Equivalency Calculator for Office 97-2003 (Excel).
Equivalency Calculator for Office 2007 or better (Excel).