In the US, the Bachelor of Divinity degree has been replaced by the Master of Divinity degree, which requires classes in Bible study, religious philosophy, and languages. In Europe, the Bachelor of Divinity remains the standard, but is similar in rigor and duration to a master’s degree.
If you want to become a member of the clergy, you may be wondering whether you should earn a Bachelor of Divinity degree. Before enrolling in this type of degree program, however, you should understand that in the US, this degree has been replaced by the Master of Divinity degree. If you choose to enroll in a Master of Divinity program, you will likely need to take a series of classes and write a thesis. In some European countries, a Bachelor of Divinity degree remains the standard academic qualification for aspiring clergy. If you want to earn a Bachelor of Divinity degree in one of these countries, you will generally need to complete a curriculum similar to that of a Master of Divinity program in the US.
While the Bachelor of Divinity was once the minimum standard degree for those wishing to enter the clergy in the US, starting in the early 21st century, the Master of Divinity has become the standard. In fact, no accredited educational institution in the US offers a Bachelor of Divinity degree anymore. This shift is largely a matter of semantics, as it was believed that the level of work involved in completing the now-defunct Bachelor of Divinity degree exceeds that required for Bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines.
If you choose to apply to a Bachelor of Divinity program in the US, you should be aware that your degree will not be accredited and, as a result, you may not be eligible to join the clergy upon completion of your studies. If you choose to enroll in a master’s program, you will likely need several classes in subjects such as Bible study, religious philosophy, and languages such as Hebrew and Greek, as well as courses that prepare you to minister to a congregation. Depending on your program requirements, you may also be asked to complete a written thesis. Most Master of Divinity programs take about three years to complete.
In European countries such as England and Scotland, the Bachelor of Divinity remains the dominant professional level for aspiring clergy. Despite being labeled a bachelor’s degree, however, this degree is typically closer to a master’s degree in rigor and duration. Some educational institutions in these countries even require applicants for their Bachelor of Divinity program to have an undergraduate degree in another discipline. Once admitted to one of these programs, your curriculum will generally be quite comparable to that of an American Master of Divinity program.
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