Frequently Asked Questions

Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Ministry

Is there an admissions deadline?

Yes. We expect to receive all applications by July 1 from students wishing to begin in the Fall. Student's who do not make the deadline may be considered. However, it is likely that students will "roll" to the following Spring semester start date. Students seeking Spring start must apply before November 11. Please see the financial information page for additional deadlines for merit-based scholarships.

What does it cost to attend McAfee?

Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology is a private school with very affordable tuition. Students pay between $370 and $350 per credit hour and this rate is reduced from $870 per credit hour due to generous contributions from supporting churches and organizations. Many students receive additional tuition discounts from their state and national denomination. There are no additional fees for parking, registration, or campus I.D.’s.

What kind of financial aid is available for divinity students?

All of our students receive financial assistance. This ranges from the tuition grant described above to full-tuition scholarships plus living expenses. McAfee hosts two scholarship interview events in the Fall and Spring. We also assist student in applying for private organization scholarships, grants, and federal programs.

More information can be found on our Financial Aid web page.

What kinds of things do students go on to do after graduation?

McAfee has an excellent academic reputation. Our graduates are working in churches, colleges, seminaries, non-profit organizations, and missions. They serve in every church position imaginable. We have students working on Ph.D.'s in top tier programs around the world and serving as chaplains in hospice, hospitals, and the U.S. armed forces. We have dedicated staff helping students transition from seminary life to their professional ministerial career.

Does McAfee have a denominational affiliation?

Yes, we are a Baptist seminary and a graduate program of the oldest Baptist university in Georgia. We also hold associations with many different Baptist organizations and churches. Our accreditation is under the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship denominational title.  You can also read more about our mission and founding principles.  About seventy-five percent of our students are affiliated with 15 different Baptist denominations. We also have students representing twenty-one additional denominations such as Presbyterian, AME, CME, Anglican, Nazarene, Church of God, COGIC, and Episcopalain.

Where do people live while attending seminary?

We have on-campus housing and many students also live off campus. There are apartments within walking distance and several within just a mile or two. During spring and summer our admissions office will assist you in connecting with other students as roommates.

Read more about on-campus housing possibilities

Read about off-campus housing possibilities

What if I don’t have a religion or Christianity undergraduate degree?

No problem. As long as you have a bachelor’s degree with a “liberal arts core” from a regionally accredited college or university you will be fine.

What if I do have a religion or Christianity undergraduate degree?

Students with previous academic training in religion may interview or test out of several introductory courses. These interviews and exams are extended to incoming students the week before classes start. Please contact the admissions office if you would like to speak to someone about advanced placement.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The Master of Divinity is a 90 hour degree. Most students complete it in three years. It is possible, however, to complete it sooner. The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry is 57 hours long and can be completed in two years. Students have up to 8 years to complete the M.Div. and 6 years to complete the M.A.C.M.

What's the difference between the 90 hour degree and the 57 hour master's programs?

In addition to 32 academic hours, the M.Div. is the classic gold standard for practicing ordained ministers, the M.A.C.M. is ideal for bi-vocational and part-time ministers, ministers with undergraduate ministerial education, lay leaders, and professionals from other disciplines seeking to broaden their competencies. The M.A.C.M. does not prepare students to enter the Ph.D., Th.D., or D.Min. Also, most denominations require an M.Div. for ordination. Because the M.A.C.M. consists of fewer hours, it is less expensive. Students enrolled in the M.A.C.M. can transfer credits to the M.Div. if they decide before graduating they would like to earn the M.Div. degree.

What kinds of jobs are available for students while at McAfee?

One of the advantages of being in Atlanta is the number of places to work. Students work in area churches, on campus, coffee houses, restaurants, etc. Libby Allen assists in placing students in church related jobs.

Are you located in downtown Atlanta?

No, we are about nine miles northeast of downtown. Our secluded campus is just inside interstate 285 where it crosses Interstate 85. Surrounded on three sides by protected woodlands, the Mercer Atlanta campus is a quiet place to study and live.

Does McAfee offer on-line or correspondence courses?

We are committed to providing the highest quality of education possible. Personal interaction with fellow students and faculty are a large part of our educational process. While we do offer courses online and offsite, the community you form on campus will help to support you the rest of your ministerial career.

Can you finish the degree online or at regional academic centers?

As of right now, you cannot finish either of our Master degrees solely online or at academic centers.  Our program requires you to spend some time on our main campus in Atlanta.   

What about taking classes at other schools?

We accept transfer credit (only A’s and B’s and up to 21 hours M.Div. and 14 hours M.A.C.M.) from other seminaries that are accredited by ATS. During the admissions process the Associate Dean reviews your official transcripts to determine which classes tranfer.  While at McAfee, you may cross-register and take elective classes at our consortium member schools: Columbia Theological Seminary, Candler School of Theology, and the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC).

What is the difference between a “Seminary” and a “School of Theology?"

Generally speaking they are the same thing. We usually refer to a stand alone school as a “seminary” and a school associated with a university as a “divinity school" or "school of theology." In both cases, students are considered “seminary” students.

What are the other student like at McAfee?

Our student body is evenly divided between males and females. In addition to our denominational diversity, we are an ethnically diverse learning community with African American, Hispanic, Asian, and international students making up over fifty percent of the student body. Students come from evangelical and mainline protestant backgrounds and embody a heightened sense of social justice and a holistic view of evangelism and mission. 

Questions

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us:

Office of Admissions
McAfee School of Theology
Mercer University
3001 Mercer University Drive
Atlanta, GA 30341-4115

(678) 547-6474
Fax: (678) 547-6478
theoadmiss@mercer.edu