Online Master of

Divinity Equivalency

Pursuing ACU’s residential Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree is now even closer in reach. With our online Master of Divinity Equivalency program, you will be guided toward gaining the educational equivalent courses needed to pursue a D.Min despite your previous theology or ministry graduate degree without needing to start from scratch as an M.Div graduate. 

Pursuing ACU’s residential Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree is now even closer in reach. With our online Master of Divinity Equivalency program, you will be guided toward gaining the educational equivalent courses needed to pursue a D.Min despite your previous theology or ministry graduate degree without needing to start from scratch as an M.Div graduate. 

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Pursue your D.Min goals

Focused on preparing you for the D.Min degree, the Master of Divinity Equivalency program allows non-M.Div students to work alongside residential GST faculty members to determine what courses could be transferred into the M.Div. equivalency plan, granting as many credits as possible.

On-Campus Option

Interested in completing your coursework in Abilene? With our on-campus Divinity Equivalency program, you can get the same flexible degree program with face-to-face instruction.

About the Program

Divinity Equivalency

ACU’s Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is considered one of the most comprehensive formational degrees for ministry and future doctoral studies offered by ACU’s Graduate School of Theology. To serve aspiring Doctor of Ministry students with theological degrees other than an M.Div,  the Graduate School of Theology offers a Master of Divinity Equivalency program to recognize your credits from previous courses related to critically analyzing biblical resources, research methods and conducting original research. 

ALL THE DETAILS ON YOUR DEGREE

What To Expect

At ACU, our standard for evaluating M.Div. equivalency is our 72-hour M.Div. degree plan. We will review your graduate transcripts and determine which courses you have already taken will fit into the M.Div. equivalency plan, granting as many credits as possible.

Required Hours

Varied credit hours
Varied time frame

Upcoming Start Dates

January 13, 2025
May 5, 2025
August 25, 2025

Common Job Titles

Lead Pastor
Associate Pastor
Christian educator
Chaplains, and various other ministry settings, including social justice and non-profit ministries

MEET THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Kelli Gibson, master of divinity advisor

Dr. Kelli Gibson, Master of Divinity

Dr. Kelli Gibson is the Program Director for the Master of Divinity. She earned her bachelor’s degree and Master of Divinity from ACU’s College of Biblical Studies in 2007. She received her doctorate at the University of Oxford in 2015.

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Research Sources: Graduates will have critical facility with the most important primary sources and issues of scholarly discussion in biblical studies, theology, or church history

Research Methods: Graduates will have the ability to use the best current methods of research in one of the following disciplines: biblical studies, theology, or church history

Original Research: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to produce scholarly contributions in their field of study

To be considered for admission, students must:

  • Complete the program application accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee.
  • Submit an official transcript of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent.
  • Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Submit two letters of recommendation.
  • Submit a reflective essay (purpose statement) 3-5 pages typed, double-spaced.
  • Complete an academic writing assessment.
ATS logo

The Graduate School of Theology is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools, an organization of more than 250 graduate schools that conduct post-baccalaureate professional and academic degree programs to educate persons for the practice of ministry and for teaching and research in theological disciplines.

Upon receipt of all application materials, the Graduate School of Theology associate dean and Doctor of Ministry program director will review your files and transcripts to determine which courses you need to take to earn M.Div. Equivalency. Admission into M.Div. Equivalency does not guarantee admission to the D.Min. program.