Master of Divinity

==Overview==
Christian MDiv programs generally include studies in [[Christians|Christian]] ministry and theology. In 1996, the [[Association of Theological Schools]] established the standard that all accredited MDiv programs should include the following four content areas: Religious Heritage, Cultural Context, Personal and Spiritual Formation, and Capacity for Ministerial and Public Leadership.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=O'Gorman|first1=Robert T.|title=Reflections of an 'Investigative Journalist' on the Four Content Areas of the MDiv|journal=Theological Education|date=2007|volume=43|issue=1|pages=1–2|url=http://www.ats.edu/uploads/resources/publications-presentations/theological-education/2007-theological-education-v43-n1.pdf|access-date=17 September 2015|publisher=The Association of Theological Schools|issn=0040-5620}}</ref> Coursework usually includes studies in [[Koine Greek|New Testament Greek]], theology, [[philosophy]], [[church history]], [[pastoral theology]], [[Hebrew Bible]] ([[Old Testament]]), and [[New Testament]] studies. The requirements for an MDiv take between three and four years, and include practical experience like most professional terminal degrees. 

Many programs also contain courses in [[church growth]], [[ecclesiology]], [[evangelism]], [[systematic theology]], [[Christian education]], [[liturgy|liturgical studies]], [[Latin language|Latin]], [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], [[canon law]], and [[patristics]].<ref>For an example of an MDiv degree outline see {{cite web|title=Master of Divinity (MDiv) Degree Outline|url=http://fuller.edu/Academics/School-of-Theology/Masters-Degrees/Master-of-Divinity-Degree-Outline-Fall-2014/|website=Fuller Theological Seminary|access-date=17 September 2015}}</ref> The degree may or may not include a [[thesis]].

The MDiv is a requirement for ordination in many denominations. For example, the [[United Methodist Church]], one of the largest Protestant Christian denominations in the US,<ref>{{cite web|title=Fifteen Largest Protestant Denominations|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/chapter-1-the-changing-religious-composition-of-the-u-s/pr_15-05-12_rls_chapter1-03/|website=Pew Research Center Religion & Public Life|publisher=Pew Research Center|access-date=17 September 2015|date=May 7, 2015}}</ref> whose students in 2014 made up nine percent of all MDiv students enrolled in schools accredited by the Association of Theological Schools,<ref>{{cite web|title=2014 - 2015 Annual Data Tables|url=http://www.ats.edu/uploads/resources/institutional-data/annual-data-tables/2014-2015-annual-data-tables.pdf|website=The Association of Theological Schools|access-date=17 September 2015|location=Table 2.16 Church/Denominational Affiliation of Students Currently Enrolled, 2014 United States|page=54}}</ref> requires candidates for ordination as elder to earn an MDiv<ref>{{cite book|title=The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church|date=2012|publisher=The United Methodist Publishing House|location=Section IX ¶335|isbn=978-1-426-71812-0|page=260|edition=2012}}</ref> and requires candidates for ordination as deacon to earn either an MDiv or a master's degree in another field with additional theological studies.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church|date=2012|publisher=The United Methodist Publishing House|location=Section VII ¶330|isbn=978-1-426-71812-0|page=248|edition=2012}}</ref>