Samford B.A. to M.Div.

Samford’s interdenominational Beeson Divinity School has welcomed more than 250 Samford undergraduate alumni since its founding. Adding to the school’s traditional enrollment and scholarship options, a new program can shorten the length of the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) for some Samford undergraduate students.

The accelerated bachelor of arts (B.A.) to Master of Divinity (M.Div.) 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 the concentration 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.

The undergraduate program of study requires completion of all university core curriculum courses, all general education requirements, and all courses required for the undergraduate major (96-98 credit hours total). 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 M.Div. 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 M.Div. studies at Beeson Divinity School.

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

To get started on the accelerated path to your ministry career, view program details below and contact the appropriate program administrators listed here.

Sample Program Requirements

Samford/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. To learn more, contact Roy Ciampa.