Divinity (academic discipline)

While it most often refers to Christian study which is linked with the professional degrees for ordained ministry or related work, it is also used in an academic setting by other faith traditions.

For example, in many traditional British public schools and universities, the term is often used in place of Religious Studies, which deals with religion more broadly, to describe classes that include theology and philosophy in the context of religion as a whole, rather than just the Christian tradition.

Such degrees, particularly in modern times the Master of Divinity, are prerequisites for ordained ministry in most Christian denominations and many other faith communities.

In fact, such churches hold to the belief that seminaries are an institution of man and not supported by Holy Scripture.

Students earn such degrees at a free-standing seminary, theologate or divinity school, or at a university.

Aquatint of a Doctor of Divinity at the University of Oxford , in the scarlet and black academic robes corresponding to his position. (The Doctor appears here in his Convocation habit, rather than his full ceremonial dress.) From Rudolph Ackermann 's History of Oxford , 1814.