Master of Divinity The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

The Southern M.Div.

The Most Comprehensive Preparation for Ministry Available Today

For those called to minister in today's changing world, the Master of Divinity degree from Southern Seminary offers trusted and comprehensive theological education. This degree is challenging because ministry is challenging. There are no shortcuts in ministry and none with the Southern M.Div.

World-Class Faculty

Study with the Authors

Studying at Southern not only gives you the chance to read good books, but it also gives you the opportunity to study with the authors.

Southern’s world-renowned faculty are brilliant scholars, experienced pastors, and seasoned theologians eager to invest in students, ensuring that an indelible mark is left on their entire lives. Among all the considerations when choosing a path for ministry training, one stands above the rest.

Available Concentrations

Prepare to Articulate and Apply God’s Word

Our Master of Divinity is 88 hours and has been engineered to equip you with the core knowledge you need for ministry. Every M.Div. student takes foundational courses in Bible, theology, counseling, history, ministry practice, and more. Students can also choose from over 300 elective courses.

Whether you choose one of the 19 ministry-specific concentrations or the more flexible Christian Ministry or Great Commission Studies, you can be confident that you will graduate prepared to serve with faithfulness.

Available Concentrations

• Christian Ministry*
• Great Commission Studies*
• Apologetics
• Biblical and Theological Studies
• Biblical Counseling*
• Biblical Spirituality
• Discipleship and Family Ministry
• Islamic Studies
• Leadership
• Missions and Bible Translation
• Missions and Biblical Counseling
• Pastoral Studies
• Missions and Church Planting
• Evangelism and Missions
• Worldview and Culture
• Worship Leadership

Advanced M.Div.

• Advanced M.Div. (Billy Graham School)
• Advanced M.Div. (School of Theology)
• Boyce Alumnus (Billy Graham School)
• Boyce Alumnus (School of Theology)
• Worship Leadership

*Available completely online. The coursework in the Biblical Counseling concentration is available completely online, but counseling observations must be completed in Louisville.

“If we are to be mighty in God’s work, we must be mighty in God’s word.”

– Basil Manly Jr. –

Southern Seminary Founder

Convictional Leadership

Serious about the Gospel

Where you train for ministry matters. The Southern M.Div. won’t merely help you gather information, it will instruct you to treasure and love “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

“There isn’t going to be any Christianity where theology isn’t central to the entire enterprise of the church.”

– R. Albert Mohler Jr. –

Southern Seminary president

As a convictional institution, Southern Seminary faculty all teach in accordance with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and the Abstract of Principles, a historic confession of faith written by the seminary’s founders in 1859.

Recovering a Vision

Hear how President R. Albert Mohler Jr. led the recovery of Southern Seminary's historic vision and convictions.

Life-Shaping Community

Community That Lasts

Studying at Southern is about more than taking classes — it’s about learning in community, experiencing the gospel lived out and making lifelong friends and ministry partners. Your time at Southern will connect you with a lifelong network of colaborers.

Students can live on campus, attend biweekly chapel services and conferences, join a professor-led mentoring group, and enjoy campus amenities and resources that make Southern much more than just a place to complete a degree.

Campus Life

• Discipleship
• Fall Festival
• Intramural sports
• Faculty mentoring

Ministry Opportunities

• Short-term mission trips
• Deep involvement in local churches
• The refugee population in Louisville lets students reach the nations

Campus Amenities

• Full gym with a pool, exercise classes, and more
• Dining hall and café
• Cookouts, movies, and holiday celebrations

“I valued the training I received during the Ph.D. and I’m thankful for it […] But my entire Christian worldview, my entire theology, and approach to the bible, just everything I am today was shaped and formed in the M.Div. at Southern.”

– Aubrey Sequira –

Southern Seminary alumnus

Affordable Tuition

Southern is committed to offering excellent training for an affordable price. With a 50 percent discount for members of churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, Southern’s tuition makes seminary training accessible for anyone. The cost of living in Louisville is 11 percent lower than the national average and apartments and houses can be rented inexpensively.

2019-20 Estimated costs for SBC students

All costs are reflective of the SBC rate of tuition and are to be understood as estimates only. Taking winter and summer courses will increase the overall yearly estimated from what is posted above. Tuition charges will vary based on the number of courses taken per semester and book costs will vary by course.

*SBTS Scholarships are based on financial need and are subject to approval.

Delivery Options

Accessible Theological Education

Study on Campus

Join the largest community of M.Div. students assembled at one time in one institution in the history of theological education.

Evening Courses

Take classes two nights a week and earn your M.Div. in four years, entirely in the evenings.

Through the evening M.Div., students can earn their degree in four years by completing four classes a semester, offered two nights per week. Ideal for students whose work during the day prevents them from taking courses at other times, classes will be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6 – 10 p.m.

Each class will meet every other Monday or Tuesday, with additional assignments, instruction, and interaction taking place online in between class meetings.

Students aren’t required to finish their degree in four years, and summer and winter terms will allow some students to graduate within three years. There are no penalties for taking more than four years.

Online Learning

Complete your M.Div. without leaving your current place of ministry.

• Flexible
  • Earn your degree on a flexible schedule. Learn while continuing to serve in your current place of ministry. There are also ways for you to experience on-campus classes.
• Innovative
  • Online classes are offered in accessible 8-week terms. Experienced a focused course of study, allowing you to complete your degree more efficiently.
• Affordable
  • Members of Southern Baptist churches receive a 50% tuition discount.
• Interactive
  • Engage with like-minded students as you prepare for ministry. We are dedicated to providing a high-tech and highly relational online learning experience.