Choosing among New Geneva Theological Seminary’s three primary programs comes down to your calling and how far you intend to go in ministry. The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is the full 100-credit-hour degree for those pursuing vocational, ordained pastoral ministry — and it is the degree most confessional Reformed and Presbyterian denominations expect of their pastors. The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) is a 48-credit-hour degree for lay leaders and those serving in ministry roles that do not require full ordination. The Certificate in Biblical Studies (CBS) is a 26-credit-hour foundation for laypeople who want rigorous Reformed training or want to test the waters before committing to a full degree. All three are 100% online, confessionally Reformed, and priced at a flat $300 per credit hour.
The three programs at a glance
Here is how New Geneva’s three main programs compare on the factors that usually decide the question — length, whether the biblical languages are required, who each program is built for, and total tuition at the standard $300-per-credit-hour rate.
| Program | Credits | Biblical languages | Best for | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Divinity (M.Div.) | 100 credit hours | Greek & Hebrew required | Vocational, ordained pastoral ministry | $30,000 |
| M.A. in Christian Ministry (MACM) | 48 credit hours | Not required | Lay leaders & non-ordained ministry roles | $14,400 |
| Certificate in Biblical Studies | 26 credit hours | Not required | Foundational study & exploring seminary | $7,800 |
All three programs are delivered fully online through live Zoom sessions and on-demand coursework, so you can study without relocating. You can compare all of New Geneva’s offerings on the degree programs page.
Choose the M.Div. if…
Choose the Master of Divinity if you are preparing for the pastorate or another form of ordained, vocational ministry. The M.Div. is the standard, comprehensive seminary degree: at New Geneva it spans 100 credit hours across 46 courses, including the original biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek), systematic theology, church history, and pastoral practice. It is the fullest preparation New Geneva offers for a lifetime of preaching, teaching, and shepherding a congregation.
Most confessional Reformed and Presbyterian bodies — such as the PCA, OPC, and RCUS — expect an M.Div. or its equivalent of candidates for ordination, which is why it is the degree pastoral candidates most often pursue. Requirements vary, so confirm the specifics with your own church, denomination, or presbytery before you enroll. The program can be completed in as few as three years, with four the normal length, and at $300 per credit hour the full degree is $30,000 in tuition — and because New Geneva is fully online, there are no housing, relocation, meal, or campus fees added on top. Learn more on the M.Div. program page.
Choose the MACM if…
Choose the M.A. in Christian Ministry if you are a lay leader or serve in a ministry role that does not require full ordination. The MACM is a 48-credit-hour degree across 19 courses and, unlike the M.Div., does not require the biblical languages — so you gain a robust Reformed theological education without the additional years that Hebrew and Greek demand.
It is well suited to Christian educators, ministry directors, parachurch staff, missionaries, and elders or deacons who want serious grounding in Scripture and doctrine to serve more faithfully. The MACM delivers the same confessional, Westminster-shaped theology that anchors every New Geneva program, in a shorter and more flexible format. At $300 per credit hour the degree totals $14,400. See the full curriculum on the MACM program page.
Choose the Certificate if…
Choose the Certificate in Biblical Studies if you want a solid foundation in Reformed theology, or if you want to test the waters before committing to a full degree. The Certificate is New Geneva’s shortest program — 26 credit hours across 13 courses, with no biblical-language requirement — and it introduces the core of a seminary education: biblical interpretation, theology, and the Reformed confessional tradition.
It is ideal for laypeople who want to study Scripture more deeply, newer believers seeking grounding, and anyone discerning a call to ministry who wants to experience seminary-level teaching before enrolling in a longer program. At $300 per credit hour the Certificate totals $7,800, making it the most accessible way to begin. Details are on the Certificate program page.
Building from one program toward the next
These programs are designed as on-ramps as much as destinations. You might begin with the Certificate to build a foundation, then pursue the MACM, and later the M.Div. as your sense of calling clarifies — coursework you complete earlier can help prepare you for further study rather than starting over. Because credit and transfer policies depend on the specific courses and your circumstances, New Geneva’s registrar, Dr. Mark House, will walk you through exactly how your work applies before you take the next step.
Two advanced programs sit beyond these three. The Master of Theology (Th.M.) is a 30-credit-hour degree for advanced scholarship, with academic prerequisites, typically for those who want to specialize after completing an M.Div. The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) is a 30-credit-hour doctoral program for current, experienced pastors seeking to deepen their practice of ministry. If you are unsure which starting point fits your calling, the best next step is a short conversation — begin on the admissions page, and review current rates on the tuition page.
