Take Your Ministry Further with the Advanced Master of Divinity (MDiv)
Liberty University’s Advanced Master of Divinity (MDiv) is designed for students with a strong foundation in biblical and theological studies who seek a streamlined path to advanced ministry training. This 72-credit-hour program builds upon prior theological education, allowing you to deepen your biblical knowledge, enhance your leadership skills, and gain hands-on ministry experience without repeating foundational coursework.
Through a Christ-centered curriculum, you will explore systematic theology, church history, pastoral leadership, and intercultural ministry, which can help equip you to shepherd congregations, engage in global missions, and disciple future generations. The program integrates academic excellence with practical ministry training to help you prepare to serve in a variety of ministry contexts.
The Advanced MDiv aims to provide a biblically sound, ministry-focused education that meets the growing demand for pastors, missionaries, chaplains, and church leaders. Take the next step in your calling – apply today and prepare for a lifetime of impactful ministry.
Note: This program is limited to Liberty University graduates with a bachelor’s degree who have completed at least 30 credit hours of 300-400 level Bible or Biblical Language courses with a grade of B or higher.
Accreditation
Your seminary degree is approved by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and has met rigorous accreditation standards. You can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.
Award-Winning Campus
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education that equips students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence helped us rank as the #4 Best College Campus in America by Niche.com. Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Why Choose Liberty’s Advanced Master of Divinity?
Liberty University’s Advanced Master of Divinity (MDiv) is designed for students who already have a strong foundation in biblical and theological studies and are ready to take the next step in their ministry preparation. Unlike traditional MDiv programs, this 72-credit-hour degree streamlines your education, allowing you to build on your prior knowledge while focusing on advanced topics in theology, pastoral leadership, and intercultural engagement. This means you can complete your degree in less time while still receiving a comprehensive and ministry-focused education that helps equip you for church leadership, missions, chaplaincy, and discipleship roles.
At Liberty, you’ll learn from experienced pastors, theologians, and ministry leaders who bring years of hands-on experience into the classroom. Their mentorship can challenge and inspire you as you refine your pastoral skills, deepen your biblical knowledge, and develop a stronger theological foundation. Beyond academics, our practical ministry training allows you to apply what you learn in real-world settings, helping you gain the confidence and experience necessary for effective service.
Above all, our Christ-centered approach to theological education ensures that biblical truth remains at the heart of everything you study. Whether you are called to lead a church, serve on the mission field, or disciple the next generation, Liberty’s Advanced MDiv can help provide the resources, training, and spiritual formation you need to make a lasting impact for the Kingdom.
What Will You Study in Our Advanced MDiv Program?
Liberty’s Advanced Master of Divinity offers a well-rounded blend of academic study and hands-on ministry training, so you can train to lead, teach, and disciple with confidence. This program allows you to deepen your biblical knowledge while gaining practical experience in pastoral leadership, missions, and counseling.
Throughout your education, you can explore advanced biblical studies, strengthening your understanding of Old and New Testament theology, biblical interpretation, and expository preaching. You can also develop essential church leadership and administration skills, learning how to shepherd congregations, oversee church operations, and create effective discipleship programs. If your passion lies in missions and cultural engagement, this degree provides insight into evangelism strategies and cross-cultural ministry, helping prepare you for both domestic and international service. Additionally, the program emphasizes pastoral counseling and discipleship, which can help equip you to provide biblical guidance and pastoral care to individuals and families.
With 30 elective credits, you have the flexibility to tailor your degree to your personal and professional goals. If you’re considering doctoral studies, the optional thesis track can help you develop research skills and establish academic credentials. Practical experience is another key component of this degree – the practicum provides hands-on ministry opportunities, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. At Liberty, we are committed to helping you grow in wisdom, faith, and effectiveness as you pursue your calling.
Review the Degree Completion Plan (coming soon) and check out our featured courses below to learn more about what you’ll be studying!
Featured Courses
CHHI 500 – The Redemptive History of the Church
DSMN 515 – Biblical Foundations for Spiritual Formation
LEAD 600 – Dynamic Influence: Leading Teams for Growth and Impact
THEO 600 – Critical Contextual Issues Facing the Church
Highlights
Degree Information
Careers
Admission Requirements
Highlights of Our Advanced MDiv Degree
- We have a state-of-the-art homiletics/teaching lab in our School of Divinity building.
- Our Scriptorium houses the Rawlings Foundation rare books collection valued at over $1 million, a 111-foot-long Torah scroll that dates to the 16th century, and a functioning replica of the Gutenberg Printing Press.
- Engage in real-world ministry applications through a practicum course, fieldwork, and leadership training.
- Develop a strong biblical foundation while learning how to apply theology to real-world ministry challenges.
Advanced MDiv Degree Information
- Residential
- 72 total credit hours
- Transfer in up to 50% of your total degree
- This program falls under the Liberty Theological Seminary
- View the Degree Completion Plan (coming soon)
- Find more information in our course catalog
Potential Career Opportunities for Advanced Master of Divinity Graduates
With an Advanced Master of Divinity, you can pursue a wide range of ministry and leadership roles in the church, nonprofit organizations, and mission fields.
Potential career paths include:
- Apologist
- Chaplain
- Church planter
- Discipleship pastor
- Evangelist
- Missionary
- Pastoral counselor
- Senior pastor
- Worship leader
- Youth pastor
This program aims to provide the theological foundation and ministry experience needed to answer God’s calling in local, national, and international ministry settings.
Admission Requirements for Our Advanced MDiv Degree
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Admission application
- Official bachelor’s degree transcripts with a 2.0 GPA or higher
- Must have graduated from Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree and completed at least 30 hours of 300-400 level Bible or Biblical Language courses with a grade of B or higher
- John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Questionnaire
- Pastoral recommender contact information
- Self-certification form for students in the final term of their bachelor’s degree
- Current Liberty undergraduate students seeking preliminary acceptance into a graduate program must complete a degree completion application through their ASIST account
