Is an online master’s degree in biblical studies worth it?

What is a master’s degree in biblical studies?

The master’s degree in biblical studies is an advanced two-year graduate degree where you’ll focus on improving your leadership skills, studying the scriptures, and learning how to build a career around your faith. This degree path comes in several forms including the Master of Religious Studies for students who plan to work in areas like education, counseling or community organization. Students who hope to join the clergy may want a Master of Theology, Master of Divinity, or Master of Rabbinic studies. These advanced degrees usually lead to congregation leadership roles.

What is an online master’s degree in biblical studies?

An online master’s degree in biblical studies is a two-year graduate degree that you can earn through online classes. Some online master’s degrees are fully online. Other online master’s degrees are hybrid. Hybrid means some classes are online and some are in person. You will study the same topics in an online master’s degree program as you would in person. Online master’s degrees in biblical studies also require the same number of credits. You may even have the same instructors for your online degree that you would have in person. The biggest difference between the in-person and online master’s degrees is the convenience and flexibility of online courses.

What can I do with an online master’s degree in biblical studies?

You can hold a lot of different leadership roles with an online master’s degree in biblical studies for churches, synagogues, non-profits, community groups, schools, and more. With an online master’s degree in biblical studies, you can become a member of the clergy or hold another leadership role in an organization that shares your spiritual beliefs. This is especially true for those who practice Christianity. For instance, a master’s degree in biblical studies could qualify you to work as a chaplain or youth pastor. A graduate degree in biblical studies can also lead to roles in academia such theologian or a religious studies professor.

Yes, an online master’s degree in biblical studies is worth it, but what can you actually do with the degree? We take a deeper dive into the potential jobs and career paths for students graduating with an online master’s in biblical studies.

What does a job in biblical studies pay?

A job in biblical studies, which is usually a position in the clergy, can pay an average of $57,230 per year. However, the annual salary for clergy can vary widely. While 10% of clergy make $30,450 a year or less, the top 10% of earners made more than $80,920 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The majority of clergy earned more than the average pay for all jobs, which was $45,760 in 2021. But there are many other kinds of jobs you can do with a biblical studies degree. Each job has a different salary range. For instance, many religious scholars go into postsecondary education. The Bureau of Labor of Statistics says the average pay for postsecondary teachers is $79,640.

Are online master’s in biblical studies degrees respected?

Online master’s in biblical studies degrees are respected as long as they come from a good grad school or divinity school. Employers respect online biblical studies degrees from accredited schools. Accreditation is very important. Accreditation means your degree comes from a school that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. There are two kinds of school-wide accreditation—national accreditation and regional accreditation. For academic institutions, regional accreditation is better than national accreditation. But national accreditation is more common and is well respected when it comes to religious schools like seminary or rabbinical school. Check out the best online master’s degrees in biblical studies to make sure you are getting an advanced online biblical studies degree that employers will respect.