Master of Divinity [MDiv]: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees, Syllabus, Jobs
MDiv degree is a three-year postgraduate course that focuses on Christian Theology and Ministry, Biblical Studies, Spiritual Philosophy, Languages and History, etc. The job roles offered for graduates of M.Div in India are Hospice Chaplain, Pastors, Counselors, etc.
Table of Contents
- About M.Div Course
- Why Choose an MDiv Degree?
- MDiv Eligibility
- MDiv Admission
- MDiv Entrance Exams
- Top M.Div Colleges with Fees
- Master of Divinity Syllabus and Subjects
- MDiv Scholarships
- M.Div Course Comparison
- Courses After MDiv Degree
- Career Options After M.Div
- Master of Divinity Salary in India
- Skills to Excel in Master of Divinity
MDiv Course Details
| Degree | Masters |
| Full Form | Master of Divinity |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Entrance Exam | Union Biblical Seminary Entrance Test, Gurukul Lutheran Theological College Entrance Test, etc |
| Minimum Percentage | 50% in Bachelor’s degree |
| Average Fees | ₹50K - 2 LPA |
| Similar Options of Study | Master of Theology |
| Average Salary | INR 2-6 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Pastors, Educators, etc |
About M.Div Course
M.Div full form is Master of Divinity. Students will understand the need to address the challenges in the contemporary working style of churches through this course. The M.Div course is divided into 6 semesters. The MDiv program includes subjects like Elementary Hebrew Language, Advanced Church History, Advanced Theology, etc.
MDiv Admission 2023 is open to students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree (B.Div/ B.Th/ BA/ BSc/ B.Com) from a recognized university like the Senate of Serampore, Asia Theological Association, etc with a minimum aggregate of 50%. Master of Divinity fees vary from INR 50,000 to 2 lakh.
As there is a lot to explore in the field of Christian Ministry and Churches, the job market for MDiv is plenty for graduates. Pastors, Educators, Speakers, etc are some promising job roles offered to students.
Why Choose an MDiv Degree?
M.Div course teaches students the Ethics of Christianity and Christian Theology. The candidates will develop spirituality and will be a part of Christian Leadership on completion of the course. Given below are some salient points why a student should pursue an M.Div course in India:
- There are nearly 15,947 Churches in India and so there is more scope for students to know about their functioning.
- Christianity is India's third-largest religion, making up 2.3 percent of the population with about 26 million adherents.
- Students will understand to interpret Biblical scriptures clearly.
- They can seek promising careers as pastors, teachers, or instructors at Churches or do specializations in various subjects related to Theology and Bible.
- Candidates will learn to work with people on different social causes.
Who Should Study MDiv Degree?
Students interested in learning the various theological concepts of the Bible and religious factors in Christianity can take up the Master of Divinity programs. Given below are some points on who should study M.Div course:
- Candidates who wish to lead their lives through spiritual freedom can benefit from this course.
- Master of Divinity (MDiv) course also helps students who want to take ministerial positions in community congregations.
- The course will benefit those who love to organize social and cultural events.
| Compare MDiv with similar courses |
MDiv Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for the Master of Divinity courses is through the required marks obtained in the higher secondary education and entrance exams. Given below are some MDiv requirements:
- Students should have completed their Bachelor’s degree (B.Div/ B.Th/ BA/ BSc/ B.Com) from a recognized university with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks.
- Candidates who have related experience, and are above 30 years old, but do not meet the minimum educational requirement, can apply for this course as mature candidates.
- Students should pass the required entrance exam and personal interview conducted by the university.
MDiv Admission
The admission process at many colleges for the MDiv degree in India is through entrance exams and personal interviews. Given below is the procedure for Master of Divinity Admission into various colleges:
- List the colleges that offer M.Div course and check the eligibility criteria.
- Students can visit the college website and apply online for the course.
- Submit all documents during the registration.
- The students must visit the respective college for offline registration and fill out the application form by attaching the necessary documents.
- Students can choose their nearest test centers once they are announced.
- After completion of the exam, results will be announced on the website.
- Candidates will be called for the counseling process based on the qualifying marks scored in the entrance exam.
- Students will get admitted to colleges upon completing their PI/GD and after producing their original documents.
MDiv Entrance Exams
The candidates get selected for the M.Div course based on the score obtained in the college-level entrance examinations. Prominent colleges like Faith Baptist Bible College and Seminary, South Asia Institute of Advanced Asian Studies, etc conduct their own entrance exams.
Some of the entrance exams for MDiv degree are listed below:
- Union Biblical Seminary Entrance Test
- Gurukul Lutheran Theological College Entrance Test
Quick Glance at Entrance Exam Pattern
Given below is the typical entrance exam pattern for M.Div course:
- Type of Questions: Short/Long Answers
- Exam duration: 2-3 hours
- Mode of exam: Online/Offline
- Subjects: Bible, Theology, General Knowledge and English
Top M.Div Colleges with Fees
The average MDiv fees varies from INR 50,000 to 2 lakh. The fees also differ according to Master of Divinity Colleges. Given below is a list of some MDiv degree colleges in India:
| Name of College | Average Tuition Fees |
| New India Bible Seminary | INR 75,000 |
| India Bible College and Seminary | INR 1,16,900 |
| Southern Asia Bible College | INR 1,08,000 |
| Jubilee Memorial Bible College | INR 1,91,000 |
| South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies | INR 1,50,000 |
| Bethel Biblical College | INR 62,000 |
| Bharat Bible College | INR 16,000 |
| Academy of Integrated Christian Studies | INR 70,900 |
| North India Institute of Theological Studies | INR 1,40,000 |
| Eastern Bible College | INR 77,250 |
| Beacon Baptist Theological College and Seminary | INR 25,000 |
Some of the other prominent colleges offering MDiv degree are:
- Oriental Theological Seminary
- Faith Baptist Bible College
- AP Theological University
- A G Tamilnadu Bible College
- Central India Theological Seminary
- Mission India Bible College
Master of Divinity Syllabus and Subjects
Various subjects related to Christianity and Biblical ideologies are taught in the MDiv degree. The subjects taught in the course may differ from one college to another. However, some standard M.Div course subjects are listed below:
- Introduction to Bible
- Survey History of Christianity
- Advanced Hebrew Language
- Advanced Theology
- Introduction to Mission and Evangelism
- Gospels: Synoptic and Johannine
- Advanced Greek Languages
- Christian Ethics
- Church Organization and Administration
Semester-wise Master of Divinity Syllabus
MDiv degree curriculum covers various topics on Spirituality, Churches, Bible, etc. MDiv degree duration is 3 years. Since most colleges have their own curriculum structure, the Master of Divinity Syllabus pdfs are provided on their official websites. Given below is the First and Second-Year MDiv Syllabus:
First-Year MDiv Syllabus
Given below is a list of subjects taught in the First-Year MDiv Syllabus:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Introduction to Bible | Elementary Greek Language II |
| Survey History of Christianity | Advanced Pentateuch |
| Advanced General Epistles | Biblical Interpretation |
| Elementary Greek Language I | Advanced Prison Epistles |
| Advanced Hebrew Language | Research Methods and Thesis Writing |
Second-Year MDiv Syllabus
Given below is a list of subjects taught in the Second-Year M Div Syllabus:
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Advanced Theology-I | Person and Work of Christ |
| Greek Syntax | Indian Christian Theology |
| Introduction to O.T | Advanced Hermeneutics |
| Advanced Church History | Introduction to NT |
| Synoptic Gospel | Pastoral Care and Counseling Core |
| Preaching and Worship | Greek Exegetical Methods |
Third-Year MDiv Syllabus
Given below is a list of subjects taught in the Third-Year M Div Syllabus:
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
| Advanced Theology-II | Hebrew Exegesis |
| Greek Exegesis | NT Theology |
| Advanced Bapt. Hist.& Distinctives | Asian Christian Theologies |
| Christian Ethics | Advanced History of Fundamentalism |
| Hebrew Syntax | Thesis |
MDiv Scholarships
Students are offered several study and work scholarships during the M.Div course in many colleges. Listed below are some Master of Divinity Scholarships:
- Charis Scholarship
- VVV Scholarship
- Christian Leaders Scholarship
- Sahaya Scholarship
- Raja Mohan Doss Scholarship
- Nehemiah Goreh Scholarship
M.Div Course Comparison
Students usually compare the MDiv degree with other courses related to Bible and Theology. Some comparable courses can also help the students gain knowledge on the same.
Master of Divinity vs Master of Theology
Given below is the difference between MDiv and M.Th courses:
| Parameter | Master of Divinity | Master of Theology |
| Type | Postgraduate degree | Postgraduate degree |
| Duration | 3 years | 2 years |
| Entrance Exams | Union Biblical Seminary Entrance test, Gurukul Lutheran Theological College Entrance Test, etc |
Union Biblical Seminary Entrance test, Senate of Serampore College Entrance Test. etc |
| Focus Areas | The course prepares students to be leaders or representatives for the churches | The course focuses on teaching students to work in churches for noble causes or religious teachers |
| Job Opportunities | Pastors, Counsellors, etc | Pastors, Bible Translators, etc |
| Average Salary | INR 2-6 LPA | INR 2-5 LPA |
Read More: Master of Theology
Courses After MDiv Degree
Students can get a question like “What after Master of Divinity in India?’’. If they are interested to know more about Bible Scriptures and Theology, they can pursue the courses listed below:
- Doctor of Divinity (D.Div)
- Ph.D. in Theology
- Doctor of Sacred Theology
- Civil Services Examinations
Career Options After M.Div
MDiv scope is good for students as the course offers many job roles. Given below is a list of famous firms or areas that offer MDiv jobs:
- Churches
- Chapels
- Hospitals
- Religious Organisations
- NGOs
- Educational Institutions
- Charity Organisations
- Social Organisations
- Counseling Institutes
Master of Divinity Salary in India
The average Master of Divinity salary for graduates in India is INR 2-6 LPA. However, the salary changes according to the job profile and experience. MDiv jobs offered by some top companies for MDiv degree are:
| Company | Lowest Salary (INR) | Average Salary (INR) | Highest Salary (INR) |
| Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India (7 yrs) | 4.7 LPA | 5.4 LPA | 5.8 LPA |
| New India Church of God (25 yrs) | 1.1 LPA | 1.2 LPA | 1.4 LPA |
| Womenline (4 yrs) | 3.2 LPA | 3.7 LPA | 4.1 LPA |
| Hindustan Bible Institute (2 to 3 yrs) | 3.2 LPA | 3.6 LPA | 4 LPA |
| Trivandrum Bible College (1 to 4 yrs) | 4.5 LPA | 5.1 LPA | 5.5 LPA |
| Church Pastor (0 to 25 yrs) | 1 LPA | 2.7 LPA | 4 LPA |
| Indian Evangelical Mission | - | 1.4 LPA | - |
Skills to Excel in Master of Divinity
Candidates are required to have the skills listed below to perform well in the M.Div degree:
- Knowledge of Bible
- Research
- Working Style of Churches
- Leadership Skills
- Communication Skills
- Presentation Skills
- Spiritual Mind
- Teamwork
- Hygiene
FAQs on MDiv
Q: What is a Master of Divinity degree?
A: MDiv full form is Master of Divinity. It is a 3-year postgraduate course that deals with the study of Biblical Interpretations, Theology and Churches.
Q: Who is eligible for MDiv Admission?
A: Students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree (B.Div/BTh/BA/ BSc/ B.Com) with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks can opt for this course.
Q: What is the fee for MDiv course?
A: The average MDiv fees varies from INR 50,000 to 2 lakh.
Q: What are some important subjects taught in MDiv degree?
A: Introduction to Bible, Advanced Theology, Hebrew Language, etc are some important subjects taught in the Master of Divinity course
Q: What is the salary offered to M.Div graduates?
A: The average salary offered to graduates of Master of Divinity ranges from INR 2 to 6 LPA.
Q: What are the benefits of the MDiv course?
A: The course helps students develop spirituality in life and enrich them with a rich knowledge of Christianity.
Q: What comes after MDiv?
A: Students can pursue a Doctor of Divinity or Doctor of Ministry degree after M.Div course.
Q: What is the difference between MA and MDiv?
A: MA course focuses on a wide range of academic knowledge in different religions while MDiv degree gives students more spiritual and practical training on Christian Ministries.
