Best Online Master's Degrees in Theology

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While some free, online courses in theology are available, as mentioned, earning a master's degree in theology provides a much deeper understanding of the field. These degrees help prepare learners for more education- or research-based positions, such as work as teachers or scholars instead of working primarily as clergy members with an MDiv (although they are qualified for these positions too). By qualifying for a greater variety of positions, earning a master's degree in theology can increase a student's job prospects. Earning their master's degree online can provide students with enough flexibility to complete their coursework from anywhere on their own time. This may allow them to continue working full-time and/or plan around personal schedules.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master's in Theology?

Several online master's degree programs in theology are designed to be completed in about 2 years. There are some programs that may allow students to finish slightly faster, such as in about 1.5 years. Another factor that may help students finish their degree more quickly is transfer credit. Some online master's programs in theology may allow students to transfer in up to 50% of the credits for the degree. Depending on the program, students may be able to finish their degree more slowly but may have a maximum time allotment of 6 years to finish.

Although there are several universities offering free theology courses online, earning a master's degree allows students to explore advanced topics in the field and prepare for scholarly positions. Usually, students in online master's degree programs in theology take some core online courses in theology and then take some specialization courses in a chosen concentration area. Some programs may have students take different theology courses and then choose from theology electives instead of concentration courses. Below, we explore some of the different courses in greater detail.

Theology Foundational Courses

Many online master's programs in theology require some core theology courses that provide students with a strong background in the Old and New Testaments. These courses may provide students with information concerning the history of these scriptures, as well as the interpretation. Students may also take core theology courses that discuss the philosophy behind theological theories, as well as Christian ethics. Other courses may explore more specific aspects of the Christian faith, such as courses in Christology, the history of Christianity, and worship, sacraments, and liturgy practices. Most of these online master's programs are non-thesis track degrees and do not require any type of culminating experience.

Theology Specialist and Elective Courses

While some online master's programs in theology may allow students to choose from some elective courses to finish out their degree, others have students choose and take courses in a given concentration. Depending on the school, students may be able to choose from concentrations like:

• Pastoral leadership
• Biblical studies
• Church history
• Moral theology
• Bioethics
• Global studies
• Christian apologetics

Some online concentrations may even provide students the chance to earn an additional certification. For example, one school provides the bioethics concentration with National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) certification. Coursework for these concentrations vary but is designed to help students focus their skills and knowledge in the given area.

Licensure and Certification in Theology

There is not a standard license or professional certification for those with a background in theology. However, certain careers that graduates may pursue with their degree may require some additional credentials. For example, graduates who wish to work as a clergy member in a given denomination often need to fulfill their denomination's requirements for ordination. These requirements vary greatly, but may include a combination of education and field experience. Each denomination has a very detailed time frame and procedure for becoming ordained. Other graduates may pursue careers as educators, such as high school teachers, in private, religiously-affiliated schools. Although high school teachers at private schools may not be required to be licensed, licensure for the field usually involves earning at least a bachelor's degree, completing student teaching, and passing a background check and teaching exam.

Students should be sure to research the specific admissions standards for their program of interest, but most online master's programs in theology require applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree. Some programs may require that students have so many hours in Christian studies or hold a master's degree. Depending on the program, students may need to meet a minimum GPA requirement, such as a 3.0 or higher, and some programs may require students to take the GRE if their GPA falls below this threshold. It is also fairly common for these degree programs to require applicants to have a pastoral or ministry mentor recommendation. Other application materials may include transcripts, a divinity questionnaire, a ministry essay, and/or additional letters of reference. Some programs may require students to undergo an interview process.

There are several factors to consider when choosing an online master's program in theology. Students may want to begin by looking for a program that offers a concentration area that best aligns with their personal career goals. For instance, students wishing to teach or research church history may look for a program with a church history concentration. Another factor to consider is accreditation. Many schools that offer these online master's programs are regionally accredited, but some may have an additional level of accreditation. At least one online ThM program is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). This program-specific accreditation helps students know that they are receiving a quality degree that has met theology-specific academic standards and is respected in the field.

Other factors to consider may include personal preferences and/or constraints. Students may want to find a program that best fits their personal schedule and either allows them to finish their degree quickly or more slowly, depending on their needs. Budgetary constraints may also play a role in choosing a program that either costs less or provides additional financial aid opportunities.

A master's degree in theology prepares students for a variety of leadership and advanced positions within the Christian faith and religiously-affiliated organizations. Graduates of these programs understand the scriptures, traditions, and history of the Christian faith and are well equipped to teach others the same. Students may be able to find jobs in churches, private schools, nonprofit organizations, and more. Career options may be similar to those for MDiv graduates, but master's in theology students may also pursue more research-based careers. Some graduates may even go on to pursue doctoral study in the field. Students may pursue job titles such as:

• Pastor
• Director of religious education
• High school teacher
• Youth minister
• Missionary
• Theology professor
• Historian
• Writer
• Bible instructor
• Nonprofit worker

Job Outlook for a Master's in Theology

Due to the flexibility of a master's in theology degree and how it can be applied to many different positions, the job outlook for graduates should be positive. While the job outlook for specific positions will vary, students should have a large selection of positions that they qualify for. Although several positions available to graduates of theology programs may only have as fast as average job growth, the outlook is positive and should remain steady. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the job outlook for clergy was 4% from 2019 to 2029 and the outlook for directors of religious activities and education was 3% over the same time period.

How to Become a Clergy Member

Clergy may include titles like pastor, children's minister, priest, and more. These professionals must have at least a bachelor's degree, but some positions may require and many clergy choose to earn a master's degree. Clergy also usually need to undergo some on-the-job training to learn the ins and outs of their specific position and fully understand the inner workings of their specific denomination and congregation. Many denominations have their own specific procedures for clergy to become ordained, as well as what activities ordination allows them to perform.

As of 2019, the BLS stated that clergy made a median annual salary of $50,400. Job duties for these professionals may vary based on position, congregation, and more. Some of these positions may focus on working with a particular population in their ministry, such as children or missionaries. In general, clergy are usually responsible for overseeing the spiritual growth of the people placed in their care. This may require them to lead religious activities and educational programs, give talks or sermons, and meet with and provide support for church members. They also typically read and pray to maintain their personal faith.

How to Become a Director of Religious Activities and Education

Directors of religious activities and education may include job titles like youth ministry director, Christian education director, adult ministries director, women's ministry director, and more. Similar to clergy, these positions typically require at least a bachelor's degree. Some positions may require these directors to have at least a few years of prior work experience before moving into these leadership-based positions.

According to the BLS, directors of religious activities and education made a median annual salary of $43,860, as of 2019. Again, specific job duties for these directors vary and most of these professionals focus on working with a specific population within their congregation, such as youth, adults, women, and more. Usually, these directors must oversee religious ministries and/or educational programs. This may require them to develop learning materials, find and train volunteers, notify the congregation of activities, and evaluate the effectiveness of programs. These professionals need to work well and closely with others to plan and execute events and programs.

There are a wide range of theology-related professional organizations for graduates with their master's in the field to join. Some of these organizations may be affiliated with a particular denomination, such as the Catholic Biblical Association, while others may be broader in nature and open to multiple denominations. While each group has its own set of goals, in general, these groups try to provide Christian professionals with a wide range of resources to support them in their personal faith and professional careers. A couple of examples of available professional organizations in theology include:

• American Academy of Religion- The AAR offers membership and provides professionals with access to publications and news in the field. The group also provides professionals with events, networking opportunities, and awards for books and journalism pieces written in the field.
• Society of Biblical Literature- The SBL also offers membership, as well as a range of educational resources to help professionals deepen their knowledge of the Bible and teach the Bible. The organization also hosts an annual meeting and offers an online career center and access to journals.

Many online master's degree programs in theology do not require applicants to have a bachelor's degree in any specific field. However, some programs may require that applicants have some background in Christian studies. Therefore, it may be more common for applicants to these master's programs to have a degree in areas like theology, biblical studies, or religious studies. Some programs may actually prefer having students from a variety of backgrounds to help diversify class discussions and perspectives. It is also fairly common for some applicants to these master's programs to already hold an MDiv degree.

Students interested in continuing their education in theology can choose from several different doctoral program options, including some online programs. Those wishing to study online can choose from Doctor of Theology or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in areas like theological studies or theology and apologetics. Some of these programs can be completed in as little as 3 to 3.5 years and may still have ATS accreditation. Students may be required to complete a dissertation at the end of the program.

Attending any online master's program can be expensive, especially considering that many of these programs are offered through private schools, which tend to cost more than public institutions. Despite being in graduate school, students should still complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if they qualify for loans or grants from the state or federal government. Students may then want to check their school of interest for any potential tuition discounts. For example, some schools may offer a discount for military service members and/or a discount specifically for master's in theology students.

Students may also compete for scholarships that do not have to be repaid. These awards are available from diverse sources for an array of reasons. Specifically for theology students, there is a wide range of scholarships available from different church denominations and Christian organizations. Some of these scholarships may also be specific to different populations, such as women, international students, and minorities. A couple of examples of available awards include:

• Bishop Murphy Scholarship- This scholarship is available from the Women's Ordination Conference (WOC) and is open to female WOC members who are pursuing a graduate program in theology. The winner receives a $1,000 scholarship.
• Church Mutual Insurance CARES Religious Scholarship Program- Church Mutual Insurance offers this one-time $2,500 scholarship to graduate students who are committed to pursuing a career in full-time ministry.