Find top-ranked online master’s in theology degree programs for students who want to further their career in areas such as teaching, pastoral roles or writers.
An online master’s in theology leads to rewarding religious and faith careers, but it is the master’s in divinity that is most likely to carve out a career in congregation leadership. Some possible career pathways for prospective students to consider are to work as a church directory, a head in ministry, or become a charity coordinator.
Teaching in theology departments of accredited postsecondary higher education institutions usually requires a graduate degree. The same can be said of teaching in colleges and universities and overseeing intensive research work. Many institutions, however, expect master’s graduates who stay on to work towards a doctorate.
An online master’s in biblical theology may be a great choice for graduate students who want to grow in their leadership outside the church. Discover why an online master’s in theology is a great academic route for prospective students:
Church leaders interested in growing in their knowledge of Scripture and systematic theology, and then sharing it with their congregation will benefit from an online master in biblical theology degree. By earning this degree, church leaders are prepared to share Christian Scripture with others effectively. Would-be pastors and church leaders need to keep studying the Bible and all the passages for them to preach better.
An online master’s in biblical theology, which also covers clinical pastoral education online courses, can help you develop strategic leadership skills. These skills are especially helpful for those considering entering the ministry. With this degree, students are taught how to become more organized personally and how to prepare their lessons more effectively.
Effective communication is essential for church leaders. Church leaders can also benefit from an online master’s in biblical theology when directing teams under their authority. They must use the right leadership techniques and methods to guide people in the ministry.
This online master’s degree focuses on the application of Scripture, its interpretation, and its interpretation of Scripture. By interpreting Scripture in a way that people can understand, it prepares them to share Scripture with others effectively and informally. They will have expertise in God’s Word.
The majority of people aim to continue their education after graduating from college. They can do so by earning a master’s degree in biblical theology. A degree like this allows individuals to further their education and increases their understanding of Scripture, which is valuable in any professional setting.
People with a thorough and well-rounded knowledge of the Bible are better equipped to make godly decisions regardless of their career path. No matter their pathway, a theology study can keep their skills apart.
A master’s degree in theology is an excellent degree for students who feel called to serve God in their life and career. Students with an interest in Christian Leadership can focus their graduate study through concentrations like the Biblical Witness, Practical Theology, and Religion and Society.
Back to TopCredits vary greatly by program, but on average, about 50 are needed for graduation.
Back to TopStudents will explore the sacred scriptures from a scholarly perspective and, depending on the nature of their program, may also learn divinity leadership skills. Before graduation, students will likely need to compile a portfolio or write a thesis.
Back to TopOnce completed, graduates can continue on to earn a doctoral degree in theology, or they can hold pastoral roles in their churches, work as chaplains, or author influential writings.
Back to TopLearn more about what you can do with a master’s religious studies.
The following graph depicts the average salaries of Directors, Religious Activities and Education for each percentile in the U.S.
Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
SVG Attribution: Wikipedia
Student body
1K
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
61%
Graduation
70%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1180/25
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
62%
Student body
79K
Median SAT/ACT
1145/25
Student body
<1K
Student body
1K
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
41%
Graduation
62%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1080/25
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
74%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1260/28
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
64%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/24
Tuition + fees
$27K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
49%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1146/22
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
42%
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$8K
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
59%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/23
Tuition + fees
$25K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
36%
Student body
8K
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
68%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1115/23
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
50%
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
79%
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
43%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1010/19
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
100%
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
100%
Graduation
41%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1050/23
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
63%
Student body
2K
Tuition + fees
$26K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
46%
Student body
9K
Tuition + fees
$23K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
35%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1030/21
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.