MA, Phd, etc.

Generally, if you desire to pursue a PhD for a career in academia, you would go immediately to the PhD program (or a ThM, if necessary), assuming it is feasible for your individual circumstances. I have a college friend of mine who just finished his MDiv and who is immediately entering the PhD program at New Orleans Seminary. He has never been in full-time ministry, though he has served in part-time ministry positions.

 

This depends on the institution and the particular program. For example, if you want to pursue a PhD in New Testament, you would be sure to take Greek and Hebrew, loading up your degree plan with NT Greek exegesis and textual criticism courses and NT backgrounds. If you have the opportunity to take Theological French or German, then it would be wise to take advantage of it. You generally have to achieve reading competency in two foreign languages in a PhD program. If you apply with them already under your belt, it makes the first year easier for you, and it may make you more competitive on your PhD application. If you are interested in Church History, then Latin and French would be the languages you need.

Not all MDivs are created equal, but nearly all of them provide you with the opportunity to take the courses you need.

 

One quick thought...

As a Pastor who has been in ministry most of the time I have been earning degrees, (undergrad and grad with Liberty through DLP and now post grad with a smaller institution through mentoring / distance learning), I have had a great deal of respect for instructors such as Elmer Towns, Ergun Caner, Dan Mitchel, Gary Yates, and a host of others who had significant time in "practical ministry" settings in the local church. Some of their instruction was in practical affairs and some was more academic, but I think the ministry time added to it all.

On the other hand, I had a professor by distance learning in New Testament when I was working on the M.A.R. who said that he had very little time in the pulpit but was well credentialed with a Ph.D. that I believe was from Wheaton and his teaching on the New Testament was phenomenal. He had lectured some New Testament courses for Liberty's Distance Learning Program through he was an Old Testament and Hebrew Language scholar and the insights he brought to the course have shaped my understand of things like the Sermon on the Mount and the Messianic Kingship of Christ, to just name a couple.

I find it interesting the paths that God takes those through who He uses to train future leaders in the Pastorate. I wish you well in whatever road you choose to follow.