Regent University School of Divinity Growth Outpaces Industry Average
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (February 4, 2021) – Regent University School of Divinity has achieved exponential enrollment growth, outpacing seminaries across the United States. Over the past four years, Regent’s M.Div. enrollment grew 26% and ministerial non-M.Div. enrollment grew 47%.
“Our world is in critical need of ministry leaders who will faithfully carry out the Great Commission, make disciples, and teach them to follow Christ,” said Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Regent University. “The growth of Regent’s School of Divinity is an indication of the deep hunger among students for high-quality, Christ-centered education built upon a biblical worldview.”
The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) – the accrediting body for Regent’s School of Divinity – recently published enrollment data for the programs that it approves. According to the data, Regent’s growth outpaces the average among the top 20 largest ATS-approved seminaries over the past four academic years (2016-2020). M.Div. programs grew 1% among the top 20 schools, while Regent’s M.Div. grew 26%. Ministerial non-M.Div. programs grew 0.23% among the top 20 schools, while Regent’s ministerial non-M.Div. programs grew 47%.
The Regent University School of Divinity offers the following degree programs:
- M.A. in Apologetics & Cosmogony
- M.A. in Christian Discipleship
- M.A. in Church Leadership
- M.A. in Church Planting
- M.A. in Evangelism & Mission
- M.A. in Online Ministry
- M.A. in Practical Theology
- M.A. in Spiritual Formation
- Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
- Master of Theology (Th.M.)
- Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)
- Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
- Ph.D. in Renewal Theology
“At Regent University School of Divinity, we are deeply committed to the Word of God, the Gospel of Christ and to our mission of preparing faithful ministers that will go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit for the transformation of our world,” said Dr. Corné Bekker, dean of the School of Divinity. “For the church. By the church. Ministry-ready. For the glory of God.”
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The School of Divinity is one of the fastest growing seminaries in the nation. This interdenominational school of theology is anchored in a renewal perspective, with a focus on sanctification and the inner, personal change of self through the power of the Holy Spirit. Accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of Association of Theological Schools (ATS), the School of Divinity is listed among ATS’ Top 5 Largest M.Div. programs. Our master’s and doctoral divinity and theology degree programs prepare Christian leaders to serve in churches and on the mission field, and in education, the marketplace, military settings, and beyond.
Founded in 1977, Regent University has more than 11,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from a Christian perspective in 135+ areas of study including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare and psychology. Regent University, ranked among top national universities (U.S. News & World Report, 2020), is one of only 23 universities nationally to receive an “A” rating for its comprehensive liberal arts core curriculum.
