Theological Degrees

Definition and Meaning

A theological degree is a degree awarded for completing a course of study in theology. Theological degrees fall broadly into two categories: professional degrees for pastoral practice and academic degrees for research.

• Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.): The degree awarded upon graduation from an undergraduate department of theology.
• Master of Divinity (M.Div.): A master's program that trains pastors; in Korea it is usually a three-year program.
• Master of Theology (Th.M.): An academic program in which students pursue more in-depth study in a particular field after completing the Master of Divinity.
• Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.): A professional doctoral program in which pastors with ministry experience study issues arising in pastoral ministry. It is distinct from the Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), which aim to train researchers.

Biblical and Historical Background

Scripture does not describe any system of degrees. However, passages that list being "apt to teach" among the qualifications of a bishop (1 Timothy 3:2) and that urge committing what has been taught "to faithful men" (2 Timothy 2:2) are frequently cited as a basis for the education of ministers. Theological degrees originated in the faculties of theology at medieval European universities. After the Reformation, Protestants placed great importance on educated ministers capable of teaching the Scriptures. The title "Master of Divinity" reportedly came into wide use in the United States in the latter half of the twentieth century, replacing the earlier Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) degree.

Practice in the Korean Church

Most major Korean denominations require, as the basic qualification for ordination as a pastor, completion of a Master of Divinity program at a denominationally recognized graduate school of theology followed by passing the ordination examination. Graduate schools of theology also admit students who did not major in theology as undergraduates. Many students serve in churches as evangelists (jeondosa) while enrolled.

• The Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap) trains its ministers at denominationally operated seminaries such as Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong) trains its ministers primarily through the graduate school of theology at Chongshin University. Some Presbyterian denominations, including Hapdong, also have a licentiate stage after graduation.
• The principal educational institutions of the Korean Methodist Church include Methodist Theological University; that of the Korea Evangelical Holiness Church is Seoul Theological University; and that of the Korea Baptist Convention is Korea Baptist Theological University.
• Depending on the denomination, graduates of undergraduate theology departments or of a denomination's own seminary may also be ordained. Degrees from unaccredited seminaries that lack Ministry of Education authorization are not legally recognized as academic credentials.

The Doctor of Ministry has been widely pursued by pastors in active ministry. Criticism has also been raised concerning the quality of such degrees, including those obtained abroad, and the use of unaccredited degrees.