What can I do with an online master in biblical studies?–

An online biblical studies degree helps prepare students for a wide range of careers, including: Pastor Theologian Professor Counselor Missionary Youth Minister Director of a Christian Non-Profit. Key Point: An online master’s degree earned in a biblical studies program opens up a wide range of career options for graduates.

Best Online Master’s in Biblical Studies 2025

Badge for BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN BIBLICAL STUDIES

By Dr. James Barham

Published: Jun 22, 2021
Updated: Oct 1, 2024

Find top-ranked online master’s degree in biblical studies programs to prepare students to become professors, theologians, chaplains, and more.

Key Takeaways

An online master’s degree in biblical studies allows students to select a focus area that best suits their educational and career goals.

An online master’s degree program in biblical studies is a perfect solution for working professionals because you can complete school while continuing to work.
An online biblical studies degree can lead to a wide range of career options in ministry, service,counseling, or education.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Online Master's in Biblical Studies Degree Programs in 2025

Bob Jones University
+4
Liberty University
+4
Biola University
–1
Dallas Theological Seminary
–3
Andrews University
–2
Regent University
+8
University of Dallas
+9
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
–4
Abilene Christian University
+1
Faulkner University
+7

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top ten schools in the best online master’s in biblical studies saw large shifts in the ranking. The University of Dallas gained the most ranking positions as the university enhanced its online learning platform to include interactive theological discussions, virtual seminars, and access to a rich digital library of biblical texts and resources. Additionally, they have introduced new specialized courses in areas like ancient languages, biblical archaeology, and contemporary Christian thought, giving students more diverse options for in-depth study. The university also offers virtual mentorship programs, connecting online students with faculty and biblical scholars for personalized academic and spiritual guidance. These updates make the online biblical studies program more flexible, engaging, and comprehensive for students.

Featured Programs

Best Online Master’s in Biblical Studies Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Biblical Studies Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Theology/Theological Studies

Degree Level: Master's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Job Growth: 2.51%
Number of Jobs: 286,500

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	2.27%	$79,930
Clergy	2.54%	$58,920

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	$79,930
Clergy	$58,920

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Biblical Studies Degrees

If you want to improve your leadership skills, dive into the scriptures with greater depth, and find ways to channel your faith into a career, pursuing an online master’s degree in biblical studies may be a good option. This degree path comes in a variety forms and focuses, allowing students to select an option that best suits their educational and career goals.

Key Point: With classes available online and in person, an online advanced degree in biblical studies is perfect for working professionals who may need more flexibility.

A master’s degree in biblical studies program online typically range from about 36-60 required credits and can take between two and four years to complete.

Online master students will take advanced courses covering topics like Christian theology, teaching the Bible, and biblical interpretation.

An online biblical studies degree helps prepare students for a wide range of careers, including:

Pastor
Theologian
Professor
Counselor
Missionary
Youth Minister
Director of a Christian Non-Profit

Key Point: An online master’s degree earned in a biblical studies program opens up a wide range of career options for graduates.

Learn more about what you can do with a master’s in religious studies.

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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Best Online Master’s in Biblical Studies 2025

Key Takeaways

Top 10 Online Master's in Biblical Studies Degree Programs in 2025

2025 Ranking Update

Featured Programs

Best Online Master’s in Biblical Studies Degree Programs

Last Year’s Ranking:

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at Liberty University

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Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at Biola University

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Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at Andrews University

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Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at Regent University

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Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at University of Dallas

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Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at Abilene Christian University

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Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at Faulkner University

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Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at Houston Christian University

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Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at Asbury Theological Seminary

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Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at Trevecca Nazarene University

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Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at Cairn University

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Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at The Master's University

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Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at Columbia International University

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Career Outlook for Biblical Studies degree at Luther Rice College & Seminary

Online Degrees

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Career Outlook for Students with Biblical Studies Degree

Theology/Theological Studies

Degree Level: Master's

Career Salaries

Top Industries

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Biblical Studies Degrees

Why should I get an online master’s degree in biblical studies?

How long does it take to get an online master’s degree in biblical studies?

What courses will I take in an online master’s in biblical studies program?

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

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from an online college course?+

Is online college easier?+

Why does accreditation matter in online college?+

Will I be able to transfer my online college degree?+

Will employers respect my online degree?+

What are the disadvantages of online classes?+

What are the advantages of online classes?+