If I get the BTh from Oxford, will I still need to get an American MDiv to be ordained?
The BTh is the standard degree required and sufficient for ordination for all Christian denominations in the United Kingdom. In this sense it is exactly equivalent to the MDiv in the United States. The individual courses within the BTh are similar to the courses in the American MDiv as well. There are biblical studies courses, theology courses, history courses, and courses in practical ministry. Each individual denomination within the United States has its own ordination requirements. Some will accept the BTh as sufficient for ordination, others may require a few courses from a denominationally tied seminary after the BTh to fill in any gaps which remain (courses about church polity or specific practical ministry training which aren’t covered in the BTh), and others may not recognize at all. With the assistance of the Ministerial Student Director in the religion department, students should explore their particular denominational requirements before applying for this program.
