The Online Master of Divinity (Openseminary) is built around six church practices and designed for people in ministry It offers an innovative and fresh approach for doing theology in ministry context. The course departs from the standard mode of theological curriculum, which is divided up into the four areas of biblical studies, history, theology and practical/pastoral studies. However, through the Openseminary(TM) approach, the eMDiv uses six key dimensions of church practice as windows through which biblical, historical, theological and contemporary issues are examined. Carefully selected foundational courses enable students to go deeper in the six dimensions of church practice. It is offered fully online or as a hybrid online and on-campus. Watch a full description of the Openseminary™ approach.
- Prefer to Study on Campus? The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is offered Online (this program) or On-Campus in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. Check out the On-Campus MDIV.
Program Details
- Delivery: online, with optional seminars on-campus
- Length: 78 credits; 3 years completion time possible
- 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: online with optional seminars in St. Davids, PA
- Start Terms: March and August
Distinctives
- LEARN HOW TO DO THEOLOGY: Students learn how to identify emerging questions from their ministry context, engage theological disciplines and humanities to find answers to these questions; then, how to articulate and implement a theological response to the emerging questions.
- LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE: Students interact and learn from experienced pastors, theologians and contextual thinkers, who are at the coalface ministry.
- LEARN AT HOME: Students stay involved in their local church ministry while they attend lectures, access reading, and engage other students online.
- LEARN WITH FLEXIBILITY: Students have access to course content on demand, on any device, anywhere, anytime.
- GO DEEPER: Through carefully crafted course students can go deeper in each one of the Church Practices. Deep knowledge of theory and practice is built up through an integrative inquiry that leads to new ministry insights.
- 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.
Learn More
- View Academic Calendar
- United Methodist students should contact Rev. Johnson Dodla (jdodla@eastern.edu) or their Committee on Ministry before enrolling in an online Master of Divinity program, in case the online version of the degree may not be counted toward ordination.
