Palmer Theological Seminary offers students the opportunity to earn credit toward a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in conjunction with pursuing a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Organizational Management through Eastern University’s College of Business and Leadership. This arrangement enables full time students to earn both degrees in four years, if they pursue them full time, and at less cost than if they pursued the degrees separately. This dual degree program is designed to create the following opportunities:

1. Focused interdisciplinary inquiry into issues and concerns encompassing theology, business, and ethics.
2. Individual preparation for bi-vocational ministries that allow church ministers to engage in enterprises that have social impact on the community.
3. Preparation of leaders in Christian institutions and organizations for high-level, faithful, and effective management. 

For those interested in pursuing a dual degree program that is completely online for both the M.Div. and the M.B.A. in Organizational Management, please refer to our Openseminary M.Div./M.B.A. in Organizational Management dual degree program.

Admissions

Students wishing to enter the M.Div./M.B.A in Organizational Management dual degree program may complete a joint application through the Seminary’s admissions office, fulfilling the requirements as stipulated individually by the Seminary and the College of Business and Leadership.

Financial Arrangements

Students are required to pay tuition to Palmer Seminary and the College of Business respectively for the courses required in each school’s degree program.

General Academic Requirements

Sixty-six credit hours need to be taken in the Seminary’s M.Div. program (Adaptive Leadership Track) and 30 credit hours need to be taken in the M.B.A. in Organizational Management program. Students opting for the Pastoral Leadership Track in the M.Div. program will need 12 more credits to fulfill the core requirements of that track.

Schedule

A student normally spends the first two years full-time¹ at the Seminary completing required Levels 1, 2, and some of Level 3 core courses for the M.Div. program. This schedule usually requires taking some courses in an intensive format that are offered in the summer months. The next two years are spent at the College of Business and Leadership for the M.B.A. in Organizational Management. Any remaining M.Div. required course may be completed during the early part of the M.B.A. program by means of a cross-registration process.

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It is possible to pursue this dual degree program on a part-time basis, but most Seminary coursework should be completed before a student begins the M.B.A. program.

Course Requirements

Seminary Requirements

1. All required core courses of the M.Div. curriculum for either the Adaptive Leadership or the Pastoral Leadership track.
2. Up to 12 credits from the M.B.A. program may be counted towards fulfilling the M.Div. elective credits. 
3. SUPV 525 Theological Field Education 1A/SUPV 526 Theological Field Education 1B in the M.Div. program may be counted towards fulfilling BUSA 685 Applied Knowledge Capstone in the M.B.A. program. 

Note: Since the Pastoral Leadership track has few electives, the Adaptive Leadership track provides the most savings in terms of time and cost.

College of Business and Leadership Requirements

Please view the MBA in Organizational Management program requirements here.

Other Academic/Administrative Matters

1. Academic standing in the respective programs is determined solely on the basis of work done at each school.
2. Each school is responsible for the integrity of its degree in terms of course requirements.
3. Each student must complete the requirements of both degrees, as herein specified, in order to receive either degree in this program. If the requirements for the dual degree program are not met, the requirements of either degree taken separately apply.
4. The Dean of the Seminary and the Program Director of the M.B.A. in Organizational Management at the College of Business and Leadership serve as contact persons for information and advisement about the dual degree programs.