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SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Pastoral Accelerator Program

A higher calling requires a higher level of preparation.

Earn both a bachelor’s degree in ministry and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) in as little as 5 years!

Thanks to a generous grant by the Kern Family Foundation and the advanced-standing protocol afforded by our accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools & Seminaries (ATS), this innovative program will save you time and money as you earn these prestigious degrees. 

Earning both of these degrees — along with in-depth, practical experience — are the best ways to become the compassionate and effective servant leader the local church needs the most. You will graduate from SEU fully prepared to serve the Kingdom and impact the next generation for Christ.

About the Master of Divinity

For generations in many Christian denominations, the Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree has been the gold standard for ministry preparation with its solid blend of Bible, theology, and ministry courses. At SEU, all MDiv coursework focuses on developing a theoretical foundation of biblical literacy, orthodox Judeo-Christian theology, and leadership, supplemented with experiential education opportunities. 

The Pastoral Accelerator program makes the MDiv more attainable by making it more affordable and less laborious, while keeping the same biblical foundations and adding practical application.

Get Started

This program is open to all incoming and currently-enrolled undergraduate ministry or dual-enrolled students. Students may complete this program online, at partner sites nationwide, or on SEU’s Lakeland, Florida campus. 

New to SEU

Apply at SEU.edu/apply, and choose the bachelor’s level ministry degree that interests you most in the Program of Study section. You will see the question “Are you interested in the Pastoral Accelerator Program?” Simply check the box for “Yes” before proceeding with the rest of your application. That’s it!

Be sure to use the code ACCELERATE to waive your application fee!

Currently Attending SEU

Students currently majoring in ministry at SEU may contact the Office of Advising at advising@seu.edu to discuss their eligibility to opt in to this program.

Program formats vary slightly based on location. See below for details.

Program Benefits

Not only does this accelerated program provide relevant ministry knowledge and flexible learning options, it also offers unparalleled experiential learning opportunities and unmatched affordability.

Completing both a bachelor’s degree in ministry and an MDiv usually takes approximately 7–8 years. Students opting in to this program can graduate with both degrees within 5 years!*

This program significantly reduces the number of master’s credit hours by at least 24 master’s level credit hours, meaning you can save nearly $12,000 in tuition.

Not only will you have exclusive access to content from the nation’s most influential leaders, you’ll benefit from ongoing interaction with SEU’s world-class faculty as well as high-impact church and faith-based leaders.

As a student of this program, you will attend exclusive ministry development sessions and experiences at SEU Conference, SEU’s signature transformative worship event.

The program concludes with at least 3 semesters of in-residence education at some of the most cutting-edge and influential churches in America, where you will receive many hours of supervised pastoral experience.

Your in-residence time allows you to experience the area of church work that interests you most.

If you decide to not move directly into the MDiv, the advanced standing credits you will get from completing your bachelor’s degree can still apply toward the MDiv if you re-enroll at a later date.

Opting into this program does not add any fees to your student account. You can’t lose!

Your Pastoral Accelerator degree journey will give you a second family of fellow students on the same path as you. Your cohort also provides exclusive leadership and ministry development content from key leaders at America’s largest churches and faith-based organizations.

Watch: Pastoral Accelerator Program on SEU Now

Dr. Kent Ingle, president of SEU, and Dr. Bethany Thomas, vice president of Student Development, sit down to discuss the Pastoral Accelerator Program with Dr. Mike Cuckler, executive director of the program, and Dr. Michael Steiner, chief of staff.

Program Format & Details

All SEU ministry courses have been created with principles deeply rooted in Scripture and will further enhance your abilities to meet the diverse and ever-evolving ministries that you lead. 

  • You may accelerate completion of your bachelor’s degree by taking additional online coursework in the summer, throughout the school year, and credit by assessment (if applicable). 
  • Beginning your degree at SEU with incoming college credit or entering with a completed associate’s degree will also save time!
  • If you prefer a slower pace, you can still complete this program within 6 years.
  • Multiple degree options
  • Cohort format
  • Tight-knit campus community
  • Guest speakers 
  • Classes taught by SEU’s campus-based ministry faculty
  • Flexible learning options
  • Cohort format
  • Tight-knit church community (partner sites)
  • Practicum-focused format
  • Allows you to stay close to home
  • Option to complete graduate-level courses online or on the Lakeland campus in a cohort, then return to the church site for practical ministry course hours and experience 
  • You can apply up to 24 credits of advanced standing from your ministry-based bachelor’s degree to the MDiv degree. (Meaning, 24 credits of the MDiv’s 72 credits are completed by virtue of advanced standing.) This means 48 credits are left to complete the MDiv.**
  • Of the 48 credit hours left to complete in the MDiv program, the MDiv Pastoral Accelerator track contains 24 credits (8 courses) of practical ministry coursework. These are completed while gaining practical ministry experience on-site in a high-impact church.

Find a full list of SEU’s degree programs here.