M.Div Only for Priests or Open to Laity

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Hello all. I’m discerning the diaconate and completion of the program comes with several graduate credits that can be used toward an MA in Theology. Coming from a Protestant background, I remember the M.Div being the degree of choice for those in ministry. I see many Catholic M.Divs but some seem to be specifically for the priesthood. I just wanted to check whether an M.Div is primarily for priests or if it is accessible to laity. I want a doctorate in the future and the D.Min is the most interesting, but it requires an M.Div. If my diaconate program can be used toward graduate studies, I would rather get the M. Div than the MA.
 
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The type of master’s depends on the university you pursue your graduate studies through and the specific program. As far as I remember Notre Dame, Catholic University of America, and Aquinas Institute of Theology all have programs that award M. Div. that are open to laity and deacons. I beleive it was St Joseph’s College that specifically mentions permanent deacons in their M. Div. program.

Generally the M Div is a 3 year professional degree program vs 2 years for the MA. Which you choose largely depends on your goal.
 
Can you clarify which St Joseph college you refer to? I’m finding a couple by that name so I just to make sure
 
Generally the M.Div is for priests. Deacons and lay people typically receive a MA (Master of Arts in Theology) or MTS/MTh (Master of Theological Studies / Master of Theology) degree.

However, there are exceptions. I think the primary reason is because most schools that offer a Catholic M.Div are seminaries, where their resources are limited. Therefore, they need to restrict the M.Div for candidates for the priesthood. Additionally, most deacons and lay people only need the information in the Master of Theology or MA in Theology.

Most Catholic M.Div programs are very specific to things that only parish pastors do (in addition to typical religious education.
For example * they often include coursework in:
NOTE: *** Programs for permanent Deacons studying for a MA or MTS always include homiletics in addition to their degree program
 
HOWEVER, St. Joseph College admits their Deacons to the MA in Theology degree not to the Master of Divinity degree. But they will allow Deacons to receive both degrees if they choose to.

Their MA in Theology degree costs $13,932 (in 1.5 years full time, 3 years part time) while the MDiv degree costs $34,840 (4 years full time, 7.5 years part time)

Additionally, dioceses typically pick the program that their deacons attend. And many of them pay for it either partly or entirely. So if you are considering to become a Deacon, talk to your vocations office first.

www.sjcme.edu

Master of Divinity - Online Degree | Saint Joseph's College of Maine

The Master of Divinity curriculum offers a theological education for those who seek to serve the needs of the Catholic Church and society with a specific emphasis on application in ministry. Learn more today!
www.sjcme.edu www.sjcme.edu

www.sjcme.edu

Master of Arts in Theology - Online Degree | Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

Prepare yourself for a career in ministerial work with our online Master of Arts in Theology program. Help serve the needs of the Catholic Church. Apply today!
www.sjcme.edu www.sjcme.edu
 
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Thank you. I would certainly be happy with an MA, but it can complicate my personal goal toward a doctorate. I have a Masters in my career field, but I want to pursue a doctorate in something else to round out my personal development. Since I am discerning the diaconate and ministry in general, in combination with my own personal interest in theology and church history, my preference would be a Catholic doctorate. I could technically start a PhD program now but the issues below complicate matters.

A major limiting factor is that I work full time and would really need the program to be offered online. There are few online options outside of a D.Min which requires the M.Div. I am married with 4 children but my children will be adults or near it when I would start the diaconate formation. I entered the Church at Pentecost this year so I have to wait 5 years to start the process. My highest preference would be a doctorate program without obtaining a second Master’s degree as this would be financially easier.

I may just need to wait and watch as more and more programs become available online something perfect for my situation may come up
 
Donald_S said:
I want a doctorate in the future and the D.Min is the most interesting, but it requires an M.Div. If my diaconate program can be used toward graduate studies, I would rather get the M. Div than the MA.
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BTW - most Catholic doctorate programs require a MTS or MA in Theology. It’s very common to see priests who have a Ph.D typically have both a M.Div and a MTS or MA in Theology.

Priests in the Seminary typically have an OPTION of working for a degree in Theology in addition to the M.Div if they expect to work on more advanced degrees.
 
This might be the case in your area, but I know many laypeople, men, and women, who have M. Div’s.
 
There is no reason, per se, that a lay person cannot get an M.Div., if a school offers it to them, however, certain things would not apply to the laity, such as the liturgical practicum, which includes how to pray the liturgy, hear confessions, other sacraments, and so on. Also, M.Div. programs typically have formation that is tailored to those preparing for the priesthood. Regardless, there is no reasons that an M.Div. minus these things could not be offered to the laity or to deacons.
 
StephenW said:
There is no reason, per se, that a lay person cannot get an M.Div., if a school offers it to them, however, certain things would not apply to the laity, such as the liturgical practicum, which includes how to pray the liturgy, hear confessions, other sacraments, and so on. Also, M.Div. programs typically have formation that is tailored to those preparing for the priesthood. Regardless, there is no reasons that an M.Div. minus these things could not be offered to the laity or to deacons.
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Correct. I think the main reason why many seminaries limit the M.Div program to priestly seminarians only is due to a lack of enough professors to open it to a larger audience.
 
That might be true in some cases, I suppose, but I would think that the extra enrollment would provide helpful income to a seminary. At the major seminary I attended, there were laity and seminarians in many of the same courses, however, these courses were for MA credit for the laity and MDiv. credit for us. For my MA (at another school), there were sometimes major seminarians in a course with me. In one class, I recall, there were about 35 people, but only 3 or 4 of us laity; the rest were major seminarians. I think the course requirements were different between the MA and MDiv students, but I am not totally sure of that. Regardless, where I got my MDiv, laity were not permitted to enroll in that program. It had nothing to do with teaching resources, but more to do with the purpose and design of the MDiv program, which is priestly formation.
 
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