Which is the Right One For You: Discovering Theology and Ministry Degree Programs

Discerning the right pathway for your future is never an easy task. This resource provides you with information about the advantages of different degrees in theological and ministerial study at Perkins School of Theology. It also contains a helpful discernment guide if you are still discerning your call. 

Perkins School of Theology Graduate Degree Programs

If you already know which degree you are interested in, you can learn more by selecting an option below. 

>  Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
>  Master of Arts in Ministry (M.A.M.)
>  Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)
>  Master of Theology (Th.M.)
>  Master of Sacred Music (M.S.M.)
>  Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
>  Doctor of Pastoral Music (D.P.M.)

If you aren't sure which degree is for you, continue reading. The next sections contain valuable information that will aid your discernment. 

Why Earn a Ministry or Theology Degree? 

Graduate theological degrees can move you closer to fulfilling your call to ministry. Whether you are called to ordained or lay ministry; at Perkins, you will be equipped not only with the necessary skills for ministry, but you will also grow your character, faith, and leadership skills. 

You may study theology for many different reasons, such as:

• Personal fulfillment and awakening
• Strengthening lay leadership roles
• Ordination in your faith tradition
• Professional and vocational advancement
• Deeper understanding of your faith 
• Gaining an interdisciplinary perspective on Christianity through its intersection with the arts, music, community activism, and many other topics

Exploring Your Pathway

God calls all Christians to ministry of some kind. Most Christians are called to volunteer ministries. You may be called to lean deeply into church and neighborhood activities while maintaining a secular career. As a volunteer, God might tell you to lead a Bible study, serve on a committee, visit people in hospitals or prisons, or start a Christian blog. In this case, a Master’s in Theological Studies may be for you. It will help you grow your personal relationship with God and deepen your understanding of scripture. 

You might be called into full-time lay ministry. In this case, your career will be tied to ministry, but your call doesn’t necessitate being ordained. You might be called to work in nonprofits, write Christian curriculum, become a Christian influencer, work in Christian education, or become an academic. You should consider the merits of the Master of Arts in Ministry and the Theological Studies degree.

Finally, God may be calling you to service as an ordained Elder or Deacon. You may be called to work as a lead, associate, youth, or children's pastor; a missionary; a chaplain; or nonprofit leader. People called to leadership inside the church as ordained Elders typically earn a Master of Divinity, which contains all the educational requirements for the order of Elder and Deacon. People called to leadership outside the church as ordained Deacons may also consider a Master of Arts in Ministry which contains all the educational requirements only for the order of Deacon. 

Discerning a Call to Ministry

As much as we would like God’s call to be announced in direct, audible instructions, discerning God’s call is not that easy. Instead, you have to go through a process of discernment. You will want to go through a three-step process to decide what ministry God is calling you to. 

Internal Searching

One spiritual practice for discernment is called “Consolation and Desolation.” If you are living in a state of consultation, you are moving toward what God has planned for you. Living in consultation is marked by becoming more Christ-like. If you are growing in faith, compassion, love, or any of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23) God probably wants you to continue in the direction you are headed. That might mean staying at the ministry you are in or it may mean enhancing your ministry with theological education. 

If you are in a state of desolation, you are moving away from what God has planned for you. Living in desolation is marked by serving yourself without regard to others. If your anger, resentment, fear, apathy, or any other marks of selfishness (Galatians 5:19-21) are growing, you are headed down the wrong path. Now is a good time to choose a new path. If you are already in ministry, consider that God may be calling you to a new form of ministry. If you are outside of ministry, and longing for a more meaningful vocation, maybe it is time to consider entering ministry. 

Whether you are in a state of consolation or desolation does not immediately determine if a theological degree is right for you, but it may help you determine if you are where God wants you to be. Consider if your career, or some other factor, is at the root of your consolation or desolation.

Mentorship 

Pursuing a Theology or Ministry Degree should not be taken lightly. It is a big step in your life and in your relationship with God. For this reason, it’s important to connect with people who are already in ministry for advice on how to proceed. 

Start by asking people who know you well, like a pastor or spiritual director, if they think you are ready for a theological degree. They can tell you about their own experience as well as give their honest opinion about your spiritual gifts and calling. Bring this Call to Ministry Checklist to discuss with your mentor. 

Next, talk to people already in the ministerial role you are called to. Ask them about their profession to determine if it is right for you. They may have advice about higher education. 

Finally, talk to the ordaining body of your denomination. If you want to work in your denominationㅡespecially if you want to be ordainedㅡthey will have information on what education will be most advantageous. 

Connecting to God

Whether or not you pursue a theology or ministry degree should be a topic you visit with God about regularly before making a final decision. God has a plan for you, and it will be revealed to you in due time. Be sure to keep checking in during daily prayer times.

You may also find God speaking to you through biblical call stories. Read the call stories of Abraham, Moses, Esther, Isaiah, and Jeremiah in the Old Testament. And then skip to the New Testament to read about how God called Mary, the disciples, and Paul. You may find your call is surprisingly similar to one of theirs. 

Perkins and You

Education at Perkins is about discerning who you are, who you want to become, and who God is calling you to be. We welcome you to discern which degree program best fits your calling by reading the rest of our interactive guide. 

No matter which degree you choose, at Perkins, you will be part of a community where everyone is committed to deepening their character, learning to respectfully discuss each others’ views, challenging each other academically, exploring new ways of thinking, and stretching our own, personal beliefs. All this while growing in our faith with those who share the same passion for servant leadership and vocational ministry. Read on and discover the educational pathway God has for you.

For admission to any Perkins program, we look for preparedness for theological education, demonstration of ministry goals or potential, a history of educational excellence, and exemplary leadership capacity. The quality of an application is consistent with the likelihood of satisfactory performance in the degree program.