What does somebody do with a degree in Master of Divinity?
If you go down this path, you’ll actually end up having far more career options than you might assume. Some can turn out glamorous, and others not so much. Either way, you have plenty of opportunity for a rewarding life after completing your masters. Here’s a bit more information one what it means to have such a degree, and the paths you can take following graduation.
Ordained Ministry
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The majority of people who enter the program for a Masters of Divinity in schools such as Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary go to become ordained ministers in the Christian religion. A lot of people also go for the degree as a good generalist degree; kind of like psychology or political science. The issue behind this approach comes with the fact that Master of Divinity degrees don’t command the respect that many people expect.
That’s why becoming a pastor generally stands out as the most practical application of the Masters. As an ordained clergy in a church, you can earn an average of around $50,000 a year, helping people practice Christianity in-house.
Chaplaincy
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If you don’t become ordained, but still want a job that uses the degree for its purpose, you can serve as a chaplain in places like hospitals, correctional facilities, or the U.S. military. Some hospital chaplains simply help people find spiritual comfort or significance as they begin passing away. Chaplains hold classification as a division of the clergy with several differentiating salaries. On average, they make between $45,000 and $50,000 annually, except for those who work in the federal government — they average around $73,000 a year.
Counseling
This profession emphasizes what all career paths stemming from a Masters in Divinity have in common: helping others. If you don’t want to help people, you may not do well with this degree.
If you have a degree in psychology or anything similar, or any training related to the subject, you can probably find a rewarding career in counseling others. Similar to a hospital chaplain but with more freedom, spiritual counselors help people and families facing challenges, usually with some sort of spiritual nature. Keep in mind, you can get a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in counseling, but it might not meet the state requirements to obtain licensing as a counselor.
Make sure you understand the laws in the state you want to practice counseling. Counseling offers a decent salary as clergy providing individual and family services average over $70,000 a year.
Education
No matter what degree you get, you can always count on this career path. Education should always stay in the back of anybody’s mind as a career choice. Teaching at a college can turn into one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of your life. Plus, you have lots of freedom with your job, especially when compared to other careers. You can teach theology or other religious courses in schools and seminaries, or you can conduct biblical and theological research.
Regardless of the route you choose, you can find good ways to put your Master of Divinity degree to use. Think about what you can truly see yourself spending your life doing, then start looking for jobs in your area.
