Accelerated Bachelor of Arts to Master of Divinity

Samford undergraduate students majoring in biblical studies, Christian and religious studies, Christian ministry and human development and family science have a unique opportunity to accelerate their ministry career through the BA-to-MDiv fast-track program.

Program Overview

The accelerated program gives a limited number of select students the opportunity to complete requirements for both Samford degrees in a minimum of six years rather than the typical minimum of seven years. The unique professional pathway is available to highly qualified Howard College of Arts and Sciences students majoring in biblical studies, Christian and religious studies (including theconcentration in ministry leadership); School of the Arts students majoring in Christian ministry and Orlean Beeson School of Education students majoring in human development and family science.

Admission and Application Requirements

The undergraduate program of study requires completion of at least 101 credit hours in three years. These courses must include all university core curriculum courses, all general education requirements and all courses required for the undergraduate major.

Upon completion of the first 64 credit hours of undergraduate studies (or one year prior to the term in which a student wishes to begin graduate theological studies), he or she must apply for admission to the MDiv program at Beeson Divinity School. Offers of admission are extended to applicants who demonstrate exceptional personal and spiritual maturity, a clear call and commitment to vocational Christian ministry and strong academic performance in their undergraduate studies.

If accepted, a student must complete all remaining undergraduate coursework and participate in a co-curricular program of spiritual and vocational mentoring before beginning MDiv studies at Beeson Divinity School.

Tuition and Scholarships

The credits that fast-track students receive during their first two semesters at Beeson Divinity School will count towards their MDiv and retroactively towards their bachelor’s degree. Students will continue to pay the undergraduate tuition rate and receive any of their undergraduate scholarships until completing the number of credit hours required for their bachelor’s degree. Students may participate in undergraduate graduation ceremonies as usual upon completing their bachelor’s degree.

After graduating with their BA, students will be classified as graduate students, pay the divinity school tuition rate and receive scholarships from Beeson. Since they will have a year of MDiv classes completed at this point, they will have approximately two years remaining in the MDiv program.

Because the program requires specific undergraduate courses, interested students should seek guidance from their advisors as early as possible in their undergraduate studies.

For more questions about the divinity school admission process, please contact Beeson Divinity Admission.

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Advanced Standing Partnership
An agreement between Samford and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) offers advanced standing in a SWBTS master’s degree program based on students’ completion of certain Samford Christian and religious studies and language courses. To qualify, Samford undergraduate students must complete a bachelor’s degree having earned an A or B in specified courses equivalent to those required for the SWBTS master’s degree. No more than 25% of a SWBTS degree can be completed through advanced standing exams, but the partnership does allow significant acceleration of the SWBTS degree.