Transferring a completed MA to an MDiv Program?

[Phenomenologist]

Question for you guys:

I know this will vary by institution, but I want to get your thoughts generally speaking. If I finish a 2-year MA program (such as Yale Div MAR), but later I will want to get an MDiv degree from somewhere (preferrably a different institution, such as Princeton Sem), how much of that 2-year MA work would contribute to that MDiv degree? So, would you only have to take 1 year of the MDiv, in various pastoral classes and languages, perhaps? Or more like 2 years, because many schools only transfer in roughly one year of prior work? etc.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated .

[KreacherKeeper]

Question for you guys:

I know this will vary by institution, but I want to get your thoughts generally speaking. If I finish a 2-year MA program (such as Yale Div MAR), but later I will want to get an MDiv degree from somewhere (preferrably a different institution, such as Princeton Sem), how much of that 2-year MA work would contribute to that MDiv degree? So, would you only have to take 1 year of the MDiv, in various pastoral classes and languages, perhaps? Or more like 2 years, because many schools only transfer in roughly one year of prior work? etc.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated .

I have a friend who did that and ended not having to do as many electives (worth 30 credits in her program) but did have to then do 50 some hours that were specific to her program. So, I think it would more likely take you 2 years. You would have to do your pastoral internship/supervised ministry, take all the classes needed in pastoral stuff and the specific courses required of that M.Div program (that you may have taken something similar but not exactly). But it has been done and can be done. I have heard of more people switching programs within the same school though, which would avoid some conflict with accepting credits (they should take their own credits) but then you don't get both degrees at the end, just the M.Div.

Also, I am not sure if you can apply the credits to 2 degrees. So, if you want to keep your Yale MA, and go to another program, you might be starting over mostly, and have to take as many credits, although some requirements may be waived.

Good luck!

[JonathanEdwards]

Question for you guys:

I know this will vary by institution, but I want to get your thoughts generally speaking. If I finish a 2-year MA program (such as Yale Div MAR), but later I will want to get an MDiv degree from somewhere (preferrably a different institution, such as Princeton Sem), how much of that 2-year MA work would contribute to that MDiv degree? So, would you only have to take 1 year of the MDiv, in various pastoral classes and languages, perhaps? Or more like 2 years, because many schools only transfer in roughly one year of prior work? etc.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated .

The usual rule pushed by accrediting bodies is that graduate credits from a conferred degree cannot be used towards another graduate degree. However, since the M.A.R./M.T.S. relates to the M.Div. much like the A.A. does the B.A. (in that at many schools it is designed as a component of the larger degree), that ‘no re-use of credits’ rule usually isn’t applied to M.Div. students. While there is no universal policy, I know that many schools will simply subtract the transferable M.A. credits from the total required for the M.Div. and allow you to drive on. The only reason I include the term ‘transferable’ is that some schools have unique courses that don’t easily line up with courses from another school, giving the admissions/transfer people fits.

The most likely limiting factor will probably be the maximum transfer policy. Check the catalog at the school you’re thinking of pursuing your M.Div. at and see how many graduate credits must be completed at the M.Div. institution (sometimes 30, but usually 45 or 60 credits of the typical 90-credit M.Div.)

None of the above would apply if you were to try and transfer credits from your Yale M.A.R. into, say, an M.A. in Near Eastern Archaeology. Even if you could line up the classes to satisfy requirements, you’d probably run up against the ‘no re-use of credits at the grad level’ rule. While admissions can bend any rule in theory (get it in writing from the registrar if they do!) the above loophole typically only applies to the M.Div.

Best wishes on your program(s)!

Edited April 6, 2011 by Westcott

[11Q13]

It will completely depend on the school, you would have to call them up and ask. Harvard doesn't allow the transfer of any courses, ever.