Competing Interests

[Thanks4Downvoting]

I'm facing a little dilemma at the moment. I have a real interest in Early Christianity from a historical/literary perspective. However, I also really want to do Theology and to be an ordained minister as well. Is there any precedent for getting both degrees? Would this help me have a foot in the door both spiritually and academically? I'm truly interested in living in both worlds. What order should I get the degrees in? Should I apply to both programs at the same time and pick and choose after I get my acceptances?

Edited October 23, 2009 by CBF+pwn

[Febronia]

I think your best bet would be a very flexible M.Div. program. Some programs have so many requirements that you don't have many electives, but other programs (such as Harvard, where I am currently an M.Div. student) are much more flexible. If you go in with a clear focus and choose your electives accordingly, you can still end up with very solid and extensive preparation in early Christianity through the M.Div. Most programs will require a certain amount of coursework in that area anyway, in addition to theology.

Now, admittedly, I am quite possibly the strangest M.Div. student ever, focusing on Syriac Christianity, with smaller amounts of Coptic, Armenian, and Byzantine stuff, and I haven't taken any ministry related classes beyond the required ones. But you wouldn't have to go to that extreme (!), and could still put together an M.Div. program that was very focused in a particular area.

[Thanks4Downvoting]

Thanks for your advice. HDS is already at the top of my list for MDiv program and this gives me yet another reason to favor them. However, I'm still curious as to whether or not there's any precedent for someone to get an MA before their MDiv. Should I still apply to a few programs for an MA and weigh my choices later?

[Febronia]

Well....I actually did an M.Phil. in ecumenical studies before the M.Div., which is pretty much equivalent to an MA. That's pretty unusual, though.

Applying to both and weighing your options is never a bad thing, but I think I would still probably recommend the M.Div. first if you are sure you want an M.Div. at some point. Most M.Div. programs require a certain amount of introductory coursework, which you would probably find frustrating if you had a previous master's degree in a related area. (I must confess that I certainly did....) And you would most likely need the M.Div. since you want to be ordained, whereas with the MA, it might be best to wait and see whether you felt the M.Div. had given you sufficient preparation in early Christianity or if you still wanted more.

[Thanks4Downvoting]

Well....I actually did an M.Phil. in ecumenical studies before the M.Div., which is pretty much equivalent to an MA. That's pretty unusual, though.

Applying to both and weighing your options is never a bad thing, but I think I would still probably recommend the M.Div. first if you are sure you want an M.Div. at some point. Most M.Div. programs require a certain amount of introductory coursework, which you would probably find frustrating if you had a previous master's degree in a related area. (I must confess that I certainly did....) And you would most likely need the M.Div. since you want to be ordained, whereas with the MA, it might be best to wait and see whether you felt the M.Div. had given you sufficient preparation in early Christianity or if you still wanted more.

Again, thanks for your information. If I wanted to pursue a PhD in, say, early christianity, as opposed to a ThD, would I pick up the MA along the way and would any coursework be already taken care of by virtue of already possessing a Mdiv? I am just kind of weighing my options for a doctorate at the moment, somewhat prematurely.

[Febronia]

This certainly varies a great deal by school. Most (not all) of the more competitive doctoral programs in early Christianity will expect you to have an MA/MTS/MDiv before applying, and there will still be usually two years of coursework upon entering the doctoral program. People who don't already possess an MA are often awarded one after the coursework and exams portion of the doctorate is completed. While there are some programs that will allow you to be exempt from coursework on the basis of a previous degree, it's not terribly common. Most programs still want you to take classes in their department, with their faculty.

Which, on the whole, I think is a great thing. One of the more unfortunate aspects of academia (I think) is that we often force people to specialize way too quickly, and I really think that there is a lot to be said for just playing in the sandbox of coursework for as long as you can get away with it! I'm currently working on my third degree in theology and only now applying for doctoral programs for the first time...which in one sense is a little absurd (8 years of theology classes?!? with another 2 to go?!?), but I don't remotely regret it. I've gotten to study with so many different interesting people, and have stumbled upon completely new research interests that I never would have discovered if I had settled upon a pathway sooner...

[Thanks4Downvoting]

You are, yet again, a wonderful help in trying to flush out my future plans! I really appreciate it!