Divinity is the study of Christian theology and ministry at a school, divinity school, university, or seminary. The term is sometimes a synonym for theology as an academic, speculative pursuit, and sometimes is used for the study of applied theology and ministry to make a distinction between that and academic theology. 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. Areas and specializations Divinity can be divided into several distinct but related disciplines. These vary, sometimes widely, from church to church and from one faith tradition to another, and even among various programs within a particular church. A typical program will include many of the following: Philosophical theology Systematic theology Dogmatic theology Moral theology or Christian ethics Natural theology Sacramental theology Practice of worship Liturgics Homiletics Sacred music Ministry in the field Pastoral theology Pastoral counseling Religious education techniques Scriptural study and languages Biblical studies or Sacred Scripture Biblical Hebrew New Testament Greek Latin Old Church Slavonic Miscellany Canon law Church history Ecclesiology Degrees Studying divinity usually leads to the awarding of an academic degree or a professional degree. Such degrees, particularly in modern times the Master of Divinity, are prerequisites for ordained ministry in most Christian denominations and many other faith communities. The exception to this is all "plain" churches such as the Amish, Old German Baptist Brethren, Old Order Mennonite, Dunkard Brethren, and many others. 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. List of degrees The following is a list of most of the common degrees in divinity: Bachelor of Arts in Theology (B.A. or A.B.) Bachelor of Canon Law (J.C.B.; B.L.C.) Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.; B.Div.) Bachelor of Hebrew Letters (B.H.L.) Bachelor of Ministry (B.Min.) Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.) Bachelor of Sacred Literature (B.S.Litt.) Bachelor of Sacred Music (B.Mus. or S.M.B.) Bachelor of Sacred