5-Year BA-MDiv Benefits
The 5-Year BA-MDiv accelerated degree option offers a unique opportunity to gain both a strong biblical foundation and advanced ministry skills, all while saving time and money by completing two degrees in just five years.
Gain essential skills for ministry.
- Develop the ability to assess spiritual growth, defend a biblical worldview, and create a strategic plan for effective Christian leadership.
- Communicate biblical truths clearly and uncover your spiritual gifts to lead with purpose.
Save time and money.
- Enter ministry as quickly as possible with only five, instead of seven, years in school.
- Save money – a potential tuition savings of $18,000 compared to completing the BA and MDiv degrees separately.
Build on a Biblical foundation.
- Earn a BA in Bible & Theology degree and a Master of Divinity degree in as few as five years.
- Be confident that you have been equipped with the rigor of seminary while enjoying the college experience at Calvary University.
5-Year BA-MDiv Details
The 5-Year BA-MDiv accelerated degree option at Calvary University is designed to provide a comprehensive academic foundation for ministry while streamlining your path to both undergraduate and graduate qualifications. Meeting the academic and ministry involvement criteria is critical for progressing, and students will benefit from a structured yet flexible course schedule, guided by academic advisors.
Entry Requirements
- Maintain high academic standards (2.5 GPA or higher).
- Fill out the form for the 5-Year BA-MDiv accelerated degree option.
- Be actively involved in local church/parachurch ministry.
- Follow the University Catalog criteria to apply to the graduate level of the accelerated degree option after completing the pre-requisite undergraduate courses.
See the current University Catalog for all admissions criteria
Program Learning Outcomes
- The student will be prepared to be able to assess the spiritual maturity (of self and others) to influence spiritual growth.
- The student will be able to defend the biblical worldview through the application of sound research methods and the consistent literal grammatical-historical hermeneutic.
- The student will be able to develop a biblical philosophy and strategy for Christian ministry.
- The student will be able to present biblically accurate, culturally relevant, and personally applicable ministry communication (oral and written).
- The student will be able to discover the God-given spiritual gifts, abilities, and calling (of self and others) to lead effective Christian ministry.
Course Scheduling Options
- To complete the accelerated degree option in 5 years, the student must take courses during the summer semester.
- In every session of years 1-3, the majority of course hours taken must be undergraduate hours in order to retain an “Undergraduate” status, thus ensuring eligibility for the maximum financial aid in those years.
- While students will work with the Academic Advisor each semester to ensure proper progression, the specific courses and the mix of undergraduate and graduate courses allow for some flexibility in scheduling.
5-Year BA-MDiv FAQs
Who should consider this accelerated degree option?
Calvary University’s 5-Year BA-MDiv accelerated degree option is ideal for undergraduate students who are called to ministry and who eventually desire the additional graduate training of the Seminary MDiv degree. It’s simple—the 5-Year BA-MDiv accelerated degree option offers more training in less time and for less cost.
Can students enter the accelerated degree option even if they don’t meet the minimum high school standards for entry?
Yes. Students who do not meet the minimum standards for entry into the accelerated degree option may still be admitted after completing the equivalent of one year of undergraduate study. To be considered, they must maintain a 2.5 GPA during their first year of study and go through the accelerated degree option application process.
Additionally, students must contact the program director, Dr. Dodds to apply for the program.
Can transfer students enter this accelerated degree option?
Yes. Transfer students can be admitted based on an academic evaluation of their transfer credit. Transfer students who have at least 12 undergraduate credits and have maintained a 2.5 GPA for that work may apply for admission to the BA-MDiv by contacting the program director, Dr. Dodds.
Why is active church/ministry involvement required for continuing in the accelerated degree option?
The intent of the 5-Year BA-MDiv accelerated degree option is for training individuals who are called to ministry. Therefore, demonstrated local church/parachurch ministry involvement is an essential aspect of this accelerated degree option and where you will spend a significant part of each academic year.
How much does the 5-year BA-MDiv accelerated degree option cost?
Students who complete the accelerated degree option according to the schedule recommended by the Academic Advisor are eligible for financial aid as an undergraduate student for the first 3 years and then as a graduate student the final 2 years. The tuition & fees costs for the accelerated degree option remain vary from undergraduate to graduate status, but if completed as scheduled, the total tuition & fees cost for the entire degrees will be approximately $76,000 (per 2023-2024 school year on-campus costs for tuition and standard fees per session).
What kind of academic advising is available for accelerated degree option students?
All students will receive world-class academic advising from the moment they enter Calvary University. Advisors help students plan a sequence of study, make course decisions, and professor selections. In addition, they provide academic guidance to help students as they pursue their BA and MDiv degrees.
Are accelerated degree option students eligible for financial aid?
Yes, students may apply for undergraduate scholarships, grants, and loans during the first 3 years of the accelerated degree option as scheduled and graduate scholarships and loans during the final 2 years.
Will accelerated degree option students still have a “normal” undergraduate student experience?
Yes! All accelerated degree option students get the best of both worlds—the full undergraduate student life experience combined with the opportunity to achieve their academic goals more quickly. Accelerated degree option students may live in campus housing and participate in all Calvary University’s student life programs.
What degrees will accelerated degree option students earn?
5-Year BA-MDiv accelerated degree option students earn two degrees in as little as five years:
- Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology
- Master of Divinity
Students may also earn an undergraduate minor by using the elective hours to complete an undergraduate minor degree.
Can this accelerated degree option be completed online?
Yes, all courses for the 5-Year BA-MDiv can be completed online. Ministry Internship, is a hands-on, supervised ministry experience which will take place in a ministry setting approved by the Ministry Studies Department Chair near the student’s location, but all paperwork and assignments can be turned in online.
Do accelerated degree option students need to finish the BA degree course work before they can complete the MDiv degree course work?
No, in many semesters, students will be taking undergraduate and graduate courses at the same time. Normally the first year of the accelerated degree option will be occupied with undergraduate courses, but beginning with the 2nd year of the accelerated degree option and under the guidance of the Academic Advisor, graduate courses will be taken along with undergraduate courses. In the 5th year of the accelerated degree option only graduate courses will be taken.
What options do students have if they don’t get accepted into the accelerated degree option?
When students are not initially admitted into the accelerated degree option, they can attempt to enter it after completing the equivalent of one full year of undergraduate study.
To apply, these students must maintain a minimum of a 2.5 GPA during that time and go through the admissions process for this accelerated degree option.
They must also contact the program director, Dr. Dodds.
What if accelerated degree option students choose to withdraw from the accelerated degree option but want to continue with a BA degree?
Students who choose not to continue in the accelerated degree option can at any point apply relevant earned credit toward a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.