Most Affordable Masters of Divinity online program?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by JDproAV, Mar 10, 2021.

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  1. JDproAV

    JDproAV New Member

    I desire to get into a Chaplaincy program so it must be accredited on CHEA.ORG.

    I will consider non-denominational or certain denominations. A plus if the total tuition for the MDiv is under $10k

    Much thanks
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Probably Nations University? https://nationsu.edu/masters-of-divinity/

    It used to be free, and while these days it's only free if you're incarcerated or live in a low income country, it's still pretty low cost for everyone else.
     
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  3. JDproAV

    JDproAV New Member

    Oh wow. Didn't see that one. Thanks!
     
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  4. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    When you say chaplaincy, what environment are you talking about: Hospital, prison, military, academic, or other? It might also help to know what you mean by "certain denominations" so we know what direction to point you in.

    (In short, it sounds like someone hasn't done enough pre-research. We forgive you, my child.)

    CHEA is not generally required for chaplaincy positions. (Nor, for that matter, is an M.Div.) What is generally required, depending on the environment, is at least one unit of clinical pastoral education - look it up under that term and you should find what you need.

    What you generally won't find is universally accepted M.Div. programs under $10,000. (Enjoy the fantasy.)

    And welcome to DI.
     
  5. JDproAV

    JDproAV New Member

    Thank you for the info.

    It's basically this program https://www.afrc.af.mil/About-Us/Chaplain/Chaplain-Candidate/

    I spoke to the coordinator and she said any school that shows up on the CHEA website works. The aforementioned Nations U seems to fit so far and is just under $10,000.
     
  6. RaiderCross

    RaiderCross New Member

    JDproAV, be sure that you check with your religious endorser. They will have specific degree requirements too. When I went through the assession process to become a military chaplain (ARNG) the endorsement process took longer than the commissioning process. In your work as a chaplain, your endorsement will have more weigth than your officer commission.

    Also, be sure that you talk to an officer or chaplain recruiter. The Air Force was talking about not allowing 100% online MDiv's. Per a recent webinar hosted by the Army Chief of Chaplains, all componants on the Army side may be going that way as well.
     
  7. JDproAV

    JDproAV New Member

    Thank you for the info. I just spoke to the recruiter and was told that fully-online MDiv's are acceptable. It may have to do with the particular program I am applying to, which is the Chaplain Candidate Program.
     
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  8. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    How interesting! I had no idea that the military was recruiting chaplains in a general way. Good luck, JDproAV and if you succeed in making a career in military chaplaincy you will find it both enlightening and challenging.
     
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  9. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    Oh, out of curiosity, does the Master of Hebrew Letters count like an M.Div.?
     
  10. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    No. An M.Div. is just that, a Master of Divinity. No substitute.
     
  11. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Well, darn. I was hoping I could get in with an M.Ap.

    Master of Apostasy, that is :emoji_smiling_imp:
     
  12. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    Haha! You're a rebellious one :D
     
  13. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    Incorrect. Rabbinical schools do not award the M.Div. They award, among other degrees for ordination, the Master of Arts, Master of Hebrew Letters, and Master of Rabbinical Studies. All master's degrees leading to ordination, even the good ol' M.A., are five to six years in length. Even institutions that lean toward the M.Div. as a minimal qualification generally specify, ". . . or the equivalent."

    A rabbinical degree fully qualifies as the equivalent of its Christian counterpart, and would fully qualify someone for a government-paid institutional chaplaincy. As I noted earlier, institutions like the military, hospitals, and prisons are not looking specifically for an M.Div. (which is generally offered by Christian schools) - the degrees particular to other faith systems are treated equally. What is generally expected, however, is a year of clinical pastoral education, which is coordinated by the Association for CPE and which will include one or more internships.

    As I'm sure Chris (with his Baptist background) knows, one does not necessarily require an M.Div. to be a pastor. Many denominations (like many Baptist churches, which come in hundreds of flavors) have no formal theological education requirement at all, while others recognize Bible college degrees at the undergrad level. There is no norm. (I'm trying to save Chris time lest he attempt to turn this into a competition with which I can't be bothered - remember the "exception to everything" rule.)

    The military has many Jewish chaplains. For what it's worth, none of them were required to have an M.Div. as long as they have the equivalent.

    I have spoken. And, as always, I am right and everyone else is wrong. Get over it. :D
     
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