Master of Divinity

What to Expect from the Degree

As you complete your degree, you will

• Receive a solid, biblically-based, spiritually formative theological education and demonstrate an ability to interpret Scripture within your contemporary ministry setting.
• Preach, teach and disciple in an effective, transformative way, with particular attention to the Wesleyan-holiness tradition.
• Conduct anthropological studies to help you interpret the gospel for your context and to develop fresh methods for preaching and leading.
• Develop habits to practice a Wesleyan understanding of personal and social holiness.
• Learn and apply practical skills through internships and immersion experiences in a Christian ministry setting.

*Refer to the Academic Catalog for the exact wording of Program Learning Outcomes.

Advanced Standing

Save time and money with our advanced standing program. Here’s how it works.

If you received a religion major or minor from an accredited college or university, you can receive a maximum of 18 credits toward a Master of Divinity degree.

*Transcripts evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Complete your Degree on Campus or Online

Study online. Complete your Master of Divinity degree without leaving home by taking two-thirds of your classes online and completing the remaining third through on-campus intensives.

Study on campus. Complete your degree in one of our four locations—Kentucky, Florida, Memphis or Tulsa. We have residential and commuter-based options, including online and hybrid courses.

Stay on mission. However you choose to pursue your degree, you’ll develop the biblical and theological understanding essential for a vibrant, contemporary ministry rooted in the Wesleyan tradition.

Admissions Requirements

• Application Form
• $50 non-refundable Application Fee
• Accredited baccalaureate degree
• The M.Div. requires a cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.0
• Official transcripts from all schools where classes were taken for more than one semester
• Personal history essay  (1050-1500 words) 350-500 words per question.
  • Share your testimony starting with how you met Jesus Christ. Talk about your growth since that time and what brings you to apply to seminary at this season in your life. Include your thoughts on how you would like to see your faith grow during your time in seminary.
  • What draws you to your desired major/area of study? What is your intended outcome upon degree completion? Why is that career or ministry choice meaningful to you?
  • Discuss a local, national, and/or international issue and why you are passionate about it.
  • Optional: If your GPA is not a good indication of your academic ability, please explain.

• Four required references (references cannot be related to applicant)

  • Four references completed on the Admissions Office form at asburyseminary.edu, including a pastoral reference (required) and a professor or academic administrator reference (recommended). Laity or personal acquaintances are accepted.

• For applicants whose primary language is not English, a TOEFL score of 550 (79 internet-based) or an IELTS score of 7.
• Background Check
• A personal interview may be required upon request by the Admissions Committee

• 

  Stephanie M. RaglinDirector of Programs at the Hope Center.
  Pastor, Embry Chapel AME Church in Elizabethtown, Ky.

• 

  Christopher GossDirector of Worship Arts, Youth & Young Adults Ministries, Mosaic UMC, Georgia.

• 

  Deb AdamsFounder, Gracie's Place.

• 

  Aaron ReynoldsLeadership Development Program, Chick-fil-A.

• 

  Michael HammondPresident and Chief Servant, Faith Covenant Ministries, Missouri.

• 

  Rob MehnerDirector of Pastoral Care and Training Education, New Life Children's Home, Guatemala.

• 

  Dr. Maria Russell KenneyAssistant Professor of Christian Ethics.

• 

  Dr. Randy JessenExecutive Director, Global Hope.

• 

  Connor ReavyStudent and Marathon Runner.

• 

  George WassonLead Pastor, Faith Point Church, Floyds Knobs, Ind.

You can complete a specialization within your Master of Divinity degree by taking 5 specified courses from one of the following specializations. Those opting for a specialization must declare so within the first 32 hours.

M.Div. concentrations include:

Church Planting–Be equipped to plant churches, preach effectively and make disciples wherever God calls you through theoretical, theological and practical study.

Asbury Seminary's Church Planting Initiative

The mission of the Church Planting Initiative is to connect, train, and mobilize God's people to plant and ReMission reproducing churches in every context.Learn more about Asbury's Church Planting Initiative.

Anglican Studies–Become a leader within the Anglican Tradition by deepening your understanding of Anglican ministry, worship and spirituality.

Biblical Studies–Pursue knowledge and practical Christian disciplines to prepare you to teach and preach in congregations, para-church organizations and Christian institutions.

Chaplaincy – Develop a sense of identity as a chaplain as you gain a balanced understanding of and the key practices for chaplaincy ministry.

Christian Discipleship–Build upon biblical, historical, theological and contextual foundations as you prepare to teach and equip lifelong disciples.

Christian Leadership–Develop effective leadership skills and qualities as you prepare to be a leader in the church, marketplace or non-profit.

Intercultural Studies–Develop global leadership skills to navigate relationships without borders, as you gain a new appreciation for authentic diversity.

Pastoral Counseling–Develop counseling skills that will enhance your ministry as a pastor, lay-counselor or chaplain.

Spiritual Formation–Educate and equip yourself to answer your call to ministry through a focused study of scripture, theology, tradition and practices within the Wesleyan tradition.

Theological Studies–Apply Christian theology to contemporary issues, life and ministry through your study of church history, doctrine, ethics, philosophy and systematic theology.

Youth Ministry–Pursue your call to disciple and counsel youth within the church, empowering them to a life of Christian obedience and authentic faith.

* Students must take their Greek exegesis requirement within six months of completing NT501 (or NT501 and NT502).

† Students must take their Hebrew exegesis requirement within six months of completing OT501 (or OT501 and OT502).

Asbury Seminary awards more than 400 scholarships annually because we want you to graduate with minimal debt. We offer too many scholarships to list conclusively. For more information, email financial.aid@asburyseminary.edu.

To apply for financial aid:

1. Complete your online application.
2. Fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
3. Once you’re admitted to the Seminary, you will receive an Asbury Seminary Financial Aid form.
4. After completing this, the Financial Aid office will contact you with any scholarship offers.

Cost of Attendance: 2022-2023

When selecting a seminary, it’s important to consider the total cost of attending. For information about campus housing, visit our Housing section.

Scholarships

Institutional scholarships are available through Asbury Theological Seminary. Scholarships are highly competitive and priority consideration is given to those who have completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Asbury Financial Aid Application, and who have been admitted by the Admissions Office by March 1.

Recipients of scholarships must represent strong promise for Christian ministry and demonstrate a financial need.

Some of the scholarships include:

• Mary Whetstone and Walter J. Knabe Scholarship – average award $10,700
• Windgate Scholarship – average award $10,000
• J.C. McPheeters Scholarship – average award $7,000
• Timothy C. Tennent Church Planting and Cross-Cultural Missionary Service Scholarship – average award $4,500
• Leo H. Naughton Scholarship – average award $3,200
• Asbury Deans Scholarship – average award $1,500

Save Time! Save Money!

Combine your Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Biblical Studies or Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies with a Master of Theology degree, you’ll save up to 15 credit hours! This option is designed for those planning to pursue a Ph.D. or for those seeking a deeper educational background to serve in the church or marketplace.

This dual track option allows you to:

• Share up to 15 hours between degrees, reducing your overall time and cost to complete the degrees.
• Prepare for the rigor of the Ph.D. program and strengthen your CV. Classes are taught at a Ph.D. level.
• Gain a more extensive knowledge-base for marketplace or church ministry.
• Work one-on-one with a faculty mentor.
• Shorten the admissions process if you’re already a current student.