The Master of Divinity Degree (MDiv) is the standard degree required by many church denominations prior to ordination to pastoral ministry. However, more and more the MDiv is also the degree of choice for men and women who are called to a variety of ministries beyond the pastoral one. Palmer’s MDiv has been crafted for both of these kinds of callings, with students able to choose between a “Pastoral Leadership” track and an “Adaptive Leadership” one with a significant number of electives.
Online Option: The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is offered On-Campus (this program) and Online. Check out the Online MDIV.
Program Details
- Delivery: on-campus (PA); online with residency (WV)
- Length: 78 credits; can be completed in as little as 3 years
- Cost: view the cost per unit and our financial aid options. Plus, if you already have a degree from Palmer or Eastern University, check out our Alumni Discount!
- Locations: St. Davids, PA; Parchment Valley, WV
- Start Terms: January and August (View application deadlines)
Distinctives
- FLEXIBLE: flexible course offerings with afternoon and evening courses available, as well a blended residency/online options available through the West Virginia program, enabling working students to complete their degree quickly.
- AFFIRMING OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY: Palmer seeks to train women and men for a variety of ministry opportunities with and for the church.
- DIVERSE: ethnic, racial, and denominational diversity in student, faculty, and staff population, fostering rich peer to peer learning in an environment of appreciation of differences.
- PRAYERFUL: a community that takes prayer for each other seriously, upholding and encouraging each other.
- SCHOLAR/PASTOR/PRACTITIONER FACULTY: professors who are both scholars, pastors and/or practitioners of other ministries, with a commitment to mentoring students in the diversity of their callings.
- COMMITTED TO SOCIAL JUSTICE: emphasis on social justice through coursework and the work of the faculty as a response to the Gospel mandate.
- SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Many different scholarships available, including Sider, Brauch, and Presidential.
- WORLDWIDE ALUMNI CONNECTIONS: Palmer graduates minister in all 50 states and over 30 countries, providing our students with networking, connections, and job opportunities all over the world.
The Whole Gospel, For The Whole World, Through Whole Persons.
Palmer emphasizes the importance of a biblically informed and theologically grounded commitment to the combination of evangelism and service in local and intercultural contexts of diverse theologies and Christian traditions by Christ-centered witnesses with a hunger for lifelong spiritual formation and the nurturing of interdependent relationships.
“Palmer has made an incredible difference in my ministry as a pastor. I was terrified of being in a classroom again in my late 50s but a few others were my age and we had the same love of making disciples. Each professor shared real life experiences in addition to teaching their field of expertise so I knew I was learning from the best. I respected that professors expected the best from us in our classwork assignments and in our lives. I am beyond grateful for my experience at Palmer.”
West Virginia Location
Palmer has been delivering its MDIV degree in West Virginia for more than 25 years, run out of the beautiful Parchment Valley Conference Center of the West Virginia Baptist Convention in Ripley, WV. Learn More about the West Virginia Program.