Choosing a graduate theology degree means sorting through titles that sound similar but lead to different careers, since the Master of Divinity (MDiv), the Master of Theology (MTh) and the Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) all fall under theological education yet prepare graduates for different work. Campbellsville University’s online Master of Divinity program is shaped around applied ministry rather than academic research, and that distinction is the place to start.
This guide compares the MDiv, the MTh and the MAR, then looks at how divinity schools differ from seminaries. It also covers which degree aligns with chaplaincy, pastoral ministry and academic theology.
What Is an MDiv?
The MDiv is the standard professional degree for ministry leadership, covering biblical studies, theology, church history and practical skills like preaching, counseling and pastoral care. Most programs run 72 to 96 credit hours over three to four years and include a supervised ministry practicum.
Because the MDiv is a professional degree rather than an academic one, admission typically requires only a bachelor’s degree. Graduates are prepared to serve as church pastors or chaplains, and to lead mission work and nonprofits. That practical focus separates the MDiv from the research-focused degrees below.
What Is an MTh?
The MTh, often written ThM, is an advanced degree pursued after a student has already completed their undergraduate studies. Instead of covering ministry broadly, it narrows into one theological discipline, such as biblical languages or systematic theology, and studies it at a research level.
MTh programs assume ministry coursework is already complete, typically adding 24 to 30 credit hours of specialized study on top of a prior degree. Most graduates are headed toward a PhD, a ThD or a teaching post rather than a pulpit or chaplaincy.
How Do the MDiv and MTh Differ?
The MDiv and the MTh split along the line between practice and research. The MDiv prepares generalists for ministry, while the MTh prepares specialists for scholarship. The table below adds the MAR for a fuller comparison.
| Degree | Typical Credit Hours | Career Focus | Accreditation |
| Master of Divinity (MDiv) | 72-96 hours (3-4 years) | Pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, ordained ministry leadership | Association of Theological Schools (ATS)-accredited institutions |
| Master of Theology (MTh/ThM) | 24-30 hours | Academic theology, doctoral preparation, specialized research | ATS-accredited institutions |
| Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) | 36-48 hours (about 2 years) | Religious literacy, academic study, ministry-support roles | ATS-accredited institutions |
How Does the MAR Compare to the MDiv?
The Master of Arts in Religion sits closer to a traditional academic degree than the MDiv or the MTh. It runs 36 to 48 credit hours over about two years and focuses on biblical and theological knowledge without the ministry practicum the MDiv requires.
The MAR structure suits students who want theological education for teaching, writing or personal study but do not plan to seek ordination. It is less of a fit for chaplaincy or pastoral leadership since most certifying bodies expect the broader ministry preparation only the MDiv provides.
Divinity School vs. Seminary: What’s the Difference?
Divinity schools and seminaries both grant theology degrees, but they differ in structure. A divinity school typically operates within a larger university, next to programs like law or business, and often serves students from multiple faith traditions. A seminary is usually freestanding, organized around one denomination and shaped by that group’s doctrine.
For a prospective student, the practical difference is community and breadth, not degree content. Divinity schools tend to offer more degree options in a more ecumenical setting, while seminaries offer a tighter, denominationally aligned experience. Either type of institution can confer an MDiv, an MTh or an MAR, so the degree carries more weight than the label on the building.
Which Degree Is Best for Chaplaincy?
For most students pursuing chaplaincy, the Master of Divinity is the stronger choice. The Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI) requires candidates to hold a master’s degree of at least 72 graduate semester hours in theology or a related field, plus clinical pastoral education and a faith group endorsement, a bar most MAR or MTh programs do not reach. PayScale reports an average chaplain salary of about $60,970 nationally, though pay varies by setting.
Campbellsville University’s online Master of Divinity program, for example, includes a Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy track centered on clinical pastoral education and counseling coursework. Military, hospital and institutional chaplaincy roles all draw on that same combination of theological depth and counseling skill, which is why the MDiv remains the default credential in most settings.
Which Degree Is Best for Pastoral Ministry?
The MDiv is also the standard degree for pastoral ministry, and many denominations require it or a close equivalent before ordination. Preaching, sacraments, congregational leadership and pastoral counseling all draw on the ministry training included in an MDiv curriculum, training the more academic MAR and MTh programs do not replicate.
The Pew Research Center found that the decline in the Christian share of U.S. adults has slowed, pointing to continued need for trained pastors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a mean annual wage of $63,720 for clergy as of May 2023, and O*NET Online projects clergy employment growth of 1% to 2% through 2034.
Ready to answer your calling?
Campbellsville University's online Master of Divinity lets you study on your schedule with no GRE or GMAT required, multiple start dates each year and pay-by-the-course tuition. Choose from three tracks, and transfer up to 25 credits while you keep working or serving in ministry.
View ProgramWhich Degree Is Best for Academic Theology?
Students aiming at doctoral study or a theology teaching career fit better with the MTh than with the ministry-focused MDiv. A PhD or ThD program typically wants applicants who have already shown research ability, which the MTh’s narrow, discipline-specific coursework is designed to demonstrate.
An MAR can also lead toward doctoral study for students who know early they want an academic path rather than pastoral ministry. Either way, the MDiv’s fieldwork and ministry training are not required for this track, which is why academic-track students often choose the MAR or move straight into an MTh.
Learn more about Campbellsville University’s online Master of Divinity program.
Frequently Asked Questions About Theology Degrees
The questions below cover the details that come up most often once students start comparing programs. Each answer builds on the comparisons above, so read them together with the table if you’re still weighing your options.
What is the difference between a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology?
A Master of Divinity is a broad, practice-oriented degree for students entering ministry, while a Master of Theology is an advanced, specialized academic degree. The MDiv trains generalists for pastoral work and chaplaincy, and the MTh trains specialists for research, teaching or doctoral study.
Can I become a chaplain with a Master of Arts in Religion instead of an MDiv?
Most professional chaplaincy certifications require at least 72 graduate semester hours in a qualifying field, a threshold most MAR programs do not reach alone. An MDiv is the more common path to meeting chaplaincy credentialing requirements, though some students use a MAR as a starting point before adding coursework.
Do I need to attend a seminary rather than a divinity school to earn an MDiv?
No, both seminaries and divinity schools grant the MDiv, and the choice mostly affects community and denominational focus rather than the credential itself. Compare each institution’s accreditation, tracks and ministry alignment rather than assuming one type outranks the other.
Which theology degree is required for ordination?
Requirements vary by denomination, but the MDiv is most commonly expected for ordination across many Christian denominations and specialized roles like military chaplaincy. Some denominations accept an MAR with additional ministry training, though this is far less common than the MDiv pathway.
How long does it take to complete an online MDiv program?
Most online MDiv programs, including Campbellsville University’s, take about three to four years to finish, depending on course load and transfer credits. If you’re ready to turn a ministry calling into a credential shaped for chaplaincy, pastoral ministry or applied leadership, exploring the program now is a strong next step toward that goal.
About Campbellsville University’s Online MDiv Program
Campbellsville University’s 75-credit-hour online MDiv program offers three tracks, including Missions and Ministry Leadership, Biblical Studies, and Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy, preparing students to pursue chaplaincy, pastoral ministry or applied leadership rather than academic theology. With a 100% online format, no GRE or GMAT requirement, multiple start dates throughout the year and the convenience of pay-by-the-course tuition, the program is specifically designed to accommodate working professionals looking to study on a flexible schedule. Students can transfer up to 25 credits while continuing to work or serve in ministry.
Campbellsville University is a Christian university in Campbellsville, Kentucky, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. It has been recognized among the most affordable Christian colleges, and its School of Theology built the MDiv around hands-on ministry training rather than classroom-based scholarship.