Academic Degrees

Associate of Divinity
The Associate of Divinity (A.Div.) degree is a two-year undergraduate degree designed for men who desire competency in ministry without the requirements of a four-year program of study. This degree is designed for men who desire competency in ministry without the requirements of a four year program of study
 
Associate of Religious Education
The Associate of Religious Education (A.R.E.) degree is a two-year undergraduate degree designed for students who desire competency in Christian education without the requirements of a four-year program of study.
 
Bachelor of Religious Education
The Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.) degree is a four-year undergraduate degree, which is terminal in nature and is designed to satisfy the prerequisite for graduate level work. Its focus is the training of Christian educators.
 
Bachelor of Theology
The Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) degree is a four-year undergraduate degree, which is terminal in nature and is designed to satisfy the prerequisite for graduate level work. Its focus is the theory and practice of men called to the gospel ministry.
 
Master of Divinity
The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree is designed for men who plan to enter the gospel ministry as a profession. The student who holds a baccalaureate degree from an approved institution receives the degree of Master of Divinity (M.Div.) on the completion of the prescribed program of study.
 
Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling
The discipline of Biblical Counseling is designed to prepare the student to minister within the context of the church and religious non-profit organizations to help people struggling with the problems of living. The program provides a strong background in both biblical and theological studies to establish the foundation for Biblical Counseling.
 
Master of Arts in Biblical Studies
The Master of Arts in Biblical Studies is designed for people who do not need a professional ministry degree. The emphasis in this degree is personal growth and development through a structured course of study of the Bible, theology and church history. This degree will enhance the ability of godly men and women to serve more effectively in the local church, witness more efficiently in their work-world and walk more intimately with their Lord. Sunday School teachers, church officers and men and women’s ministry leaders are encouraged to pursue this degree as a means of sharpening their skills.

Master of Arts in Christian Education
This program seeks to develop a wide range of skills for providing leadership in the educational ministry of the church. This program emphasizes the integration of biblical, theological, and historical studies with educational foundations, together with the acquisition of skills in teaching and leadership. 
 
Certificate Program
For the persons who do not choose to pursue or who may not meet admission requirements for one of the degree programs, continuing education is provided in Christian Education and Biblical Studies. A certificate is awarded when the student has successfully completed thirty-three (33) semester hours in a given area.
 

Note: Most degree and diploma requirements are the same except for certain Pastoral and Practical Theology courses specifically designed for male students only.
 
Meaning of the Degree

A degree from Mississippi Baptist Seminary & Bible College indicates that the graduate has completed the requirements for the course of study. Although the M.Div. degree meets the standard educational requirements for ordination in most denominations, the degree does not certify that the graduate necessarily posses all the biblical qualifications requisite for the ministry or adheres to the Baptist faith. Graduation from Mississippi Baptist Seminary & Bible College with either the B.Th., B.R.E., A.Div., A.R.E., M.Div., M.A.B.C. or M.A.C.S. degree should not in itself be construed as a recommendation for the ministry. Ecclesiastical bodies and pulpit committees are responsible for applying their own requirements for ordination to determine the doctrinal soundness, suitability, and readiness for ministry of a particular graduate. One should check with the appropriate judicatory.