Become a Minister

Degree programs at ministry schools can often be customized based on your field and goals. At the four-year level, you can seek a bachelor of divinity degree or a bachelor's in theology. Often, the bachelor's of divinity, or BD, is considered the equivalent to a bachelor's of art degree, but with a specialty in divinity. At the bachelor's level, church law, ethics, pastoral care, and the particular theology of a church could be studied. Advanced degrees include the master of divinity, the master of pastoral ministry, and the master of theological studies degree.

Ministry degree programs and training can often be combined with secular degrees. Options might be available in fields such as business, counseling, nursing or psychology. Your personal and career goals can help guide the education you pursue. Non-degree programs are advantageous because they could provide training without requiring a commitment to a full degree program.

Minister salary information

Average minister salary varies based on location, experience, denomination, church size and other factors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, clergy earned mean annual wages of $46,960. Employment opportunities are expected to grow about as fast as average during 2008 to 2018, according to the BLS.