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Thinking about getting a graduate degree in theology, biblical studies, ministry, or other related subjects? As you already know, it costs a lot to uproot your family and move to another city, let alone another state. You, your spouse, or both of you may have a great job that you like, so moving doesn't make sense. And if you have kids, then you know how challenging a move can be for them. Thankfully, many Christian seminaries and universities are asking themselves how they can make it easier for YOU (the student) to receive biblical and effective training that results in a degree you're proud of. More and more schools are offering 100% online graduate degrees, but few schools are excellent at offering such degrees. This post contains a list of schools offering online degrees that are done well or uniquely. ***When I say online degrees, I'm referring to degrees via both:
On-demand/anytime online courses
Live-streaming/real-time online courses (joining classes live via live-streaming/video conferencing).
Before you move onto the list, allow me to apologize in advance. You may not find your favorite school listed below. SO many Christian educational institutions that offer online degrees that I couldn't have listed all of them. I left some really good schools out--most of which were unintentionally left out. Some schools offer so many programs and/or majors that it's probably better for you to go to their page and check them out on your own. So, if you're interested, check out Liberty University and scroll through their options at your leisure.
When considering which schools should be on this list, I tried to offer a range of schools to choose from. The list below is diverse in theology, denominational affiliation (or lack thereof), degree offerings, size of schools, etc. However, each school I've listed has regional or national accreditation (the US Department of Education now sees no difference between the 2 types of accreditation). Also, besides a couple of exceptions, the following schools offer 100% online degrees (and those exceptions only require something like 2 days on campus for the duration of your study at their school). While many schools have distance-learning options for some of their degrees, including online classes and in-person intensive weeks, few schools offer stellar 100% online graduate degrees.
As you peruse this list, remember that just because different schools offer degrees with the same degree title doesn't mean they will cover the same content or teach the content in the same way. This is because, in part, most schools have a unique focus as an institution. For instance, Hope International University is one of the best ministry/practitioner training schools. The King's University has more of a charismatic theological focus, while Dallas Seminary loves Bible exposition, and Southern Evangelical Seminary is all about apologetics... you get the drift.
Finally, just because I've listed a school does not mean I endorse every theological belief a school holds, so don't "come at me, bro!"LOL! If you like education, are thinking about future degrees, or even just appreciate what you read here, take a look at my other posts in this series: obtaining an overseas PhD without moving overseas PhD, earning an overseas masters degree without moving overseas, and PhD distance learning programs in the United States.
Degree Abbreviations
MDiv = Master of Divinity
MA = Master of Arts
MS = Master of Science
MTS = Master of Theological Studies
MPT = Master of Practical Theology
MMin = Master of Ministry
MBTS = Master of Biblical and Theological Studies
MABL = Master of Applied Biblical Leadership
ThM = Master of Theology
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Abilene Christian University
**MDiv
**MA in Christian Ministry, Global Service, or Theological Studies
Ashland Theological Seminary
**MDiv
**MA in Applied Bible & Theology, Biblical Studies, Black Church Studies, Christian Ministries, or Historical & Theological Studies
Assemblies of God Theological Seminary at Evangel University
**MDiv in Expository Preaching, Islamic Studies, or Military & Institutional Chaplaincy
**MA in Intercultural Studies (Global Missions, Intercultural Studies, Islamic Studies, Member Care) or Theological Studies (Old Testament, New Testament, Biblical Studies, Pentecostal & Charismatic Studies, Intercultural Theology),
Beeson Divinity School at Samford University
**ThM in Theology
Bethel Theological Seminary at Bethel University
**MDiv
Cairn University
**MA in Religion or Worship & Music
Calvin Theological Seminary
**ThM in Old Testament, New Testament, History of Christianity, Missiology, Systematic Theology, Philosophical & Moral Theology, Pastoral Care, or Worship.
**MTS (concentrations in areas like Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, History of Christianity, Apologetics, etc.)
**MDiv in Ministry
**MA in Bible & Theology or Christian Leadership (concentrations: Advanced Urban Ministry, Bible Instruction, Discipleship & Faith Formation, Missional Ministry, Organizational Management, Pastoral Ministry, Pastoral Care, or Worship)
Campbellsville University
**MDiv in Biblical Studies, Missions & Ministry, or Pastoral Care & Chaplaincy
**ThM in Biblical Studies, Pastoral Leadership, or Theological Studies
Capital Bible Seminary at Lancaster Bible College
**MDiv in Christian Care, Formation Leadership, or Ministry
**MA in Addiction Counseling, Biblical Studies, Christian Apologetics, Christian Care, Formation Leadership, or Ministry
Cedarville University
**MA in Biblical Leadership or Worship & Theology
Colorado Christian University
Columbia Biblical Seminary at Columbia International University
**MDiv in Bible Exposition, Care & Counseling, Chaplaincy, Ministry Studies, Missiological Studies, or Muslim-Christian Relations
**MA in Bible Exposition, Care & Counseling, Chaplaincy, Global Migration Studies, Intercultural Studies, Ministry Studies, Muslim-Christian Relations, or Theological Studies
Cornerstone Theological Seminary at Cornerstone University
**MDiv
**MA in Biblical Exegesis (Old Testament or New Testament), Biblical Studies, Ministry Leadership, or TESOL & Cross-Cultural Ministry
**ThM in Old Testament or New Testament
Dallas Theological Seminary
**MA in Apologetics & Evangelism, Chaplaincy & Ministry Care, Christian Education, Christian Leadership, Christian Studies, Counseling, Intercultural Studies, Jewish Studies, or Media Arts & Worship
**MBTS
Denver Seminary
**MDiv
**MA in Biblical & Theological Studies, Christian Studies, Leadership, New Testament, or Old Testament
Fuller Theological Seminary
**MDiv in Asian American Ministry, Biblical Studies, Black Church Studies, Chaplaincy, Intercultural & Urban Ministry, Leadership in Times of Change, Worship Leadership, or Youth/Family/Culture
**MA in Theological Studies (Biblical Studies, Ethics & Public Theology, Mission & Culture, Theology & the Arts, Theology & History, or World Christianity), Justice & Advocacy, Global Missional Leadership (Intercultural Studies or Leadership Studies), Chaplaincy, or Theology & Ministry (Asian American Ministry, Black Church Studies, Ecclesial Leadership, Intercultural & Urban Ministry, Worship Leadership, or Youth/Family/Culture)
**ThM in Theology (Old Testament, New Testament, or Theology) or Theological Studies (Christian Ethics, Church History, Historical Theology, Pentecostal Studies, Practical Theology, Public Theology, Systematic Theology, or Theology Culture)
**ThM in Intercultural Studies
Global University
**MDiv in Biblical Theology & Languages or Ministerial Studies
**MA in Biblical Studies or Ministerial Studies
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
**MDiv
**MA in Christian Ministry or Theological Studies
**ThM in Biblical Studies (Ancient Languages & Cultures, Old Testament, or New Testament), Christian Thought (Church History, Theology, or Missiology), or Practical Theology (Ministry)
Grace Theological Seminary
**MDiv in Chaplaincy, Christian Ministry, Exegetical Studies, General Studies, Intercultural Studies, Pastoral Counseling, or Pastoral Studies
**MMin (Master of Ministry)
Grand Canyon Theological Seminary at Grand Canyon University
**MDiv
Houston Theological Seminary at Houston Christian University **MDiv
**MA in Apologetics, Christian Leadership, or Theological Studies
Johnson University
**MA in Intercultural Studies in Community Development, Cross-Cultural Engagement, Cross-Cultural Church Planting, Translation, or Customized option
**MA in New Testament in Research, Preaching, Spiritual Formation & Leadership, or Customized option
The King’s Seminary at The King's University
**MDiv in Ministry or Messianic Jewish Studies
**MPT in Ministry or Messianic Jewish Studies
**MTS
Knox Theological Seminary
**MDiv with many electives
Lincoln Seminary at Ozark Christian College
**MA in Christian Ministry
Luther Rice College & Seminary
**MDiv in Ministry
**MA in Apologetics, Christian Studies, or Ministry & Leadership
The Master's University
**MA in Biblical Counseling or Biblical Studies (Biblical Languages, Missions, Music & Worship, Theological Studies, or Women's Ministry)
Moody Theological Seminary at Moody Bible Institute
**MDiv in Biblical Preaching, Interdisciplinary Studies, Pastoral Studies, or TESOL
Nations University
**MDiv in Ministry
**MTS in Theological Studies
Oral Roberts University **MDiv
**MA in Pastoral Counseling
Pacific Christian College at Hope International University
**MDiv in Christian Ministry & Leadership, Church Planting, Intercultural Studies, Spiritual Formation, or Worship Ministry
**MA in Ministry in Biblical Studies, Christian Leadership, Church Planting, Intercultural Studies, Pastoral Care, Spiritual Formation, or Children, Youth & Family Ministry (single concentration or dual concentrations available)
Phoenix Seminary
**MDiv in Biblical & Theological Studies
**MA in Christian Studies, Biblical & Theological Studies, or Ministry
Piedmont Divinity School at Carolina University
**MDiv
**MA in Biblical Studies, Ministry, or Ministry Administration
Reformed Theological Seminary
**MA in Biblical Studies, Religion, or Theological Studies
**ThM in Theology or Ministry
Regent Divinity School at Regent University
**MDiv in Biblical Languages, Chaplain Ministry, Christian Discipleship, Chrisitan Theology, Church History, Church & Ministry, Church Planting, Interdisciplinary Studies, Marketplace Ministry, Missiology, New Testament, Old Testament, Online Ministry, Spiritual Formation, or Worship & Media
**MA in Apologetics & Cosmogony, Christian Discipleship, Church Leadership, Church Planting, Evangelism & Mission, Online Ministry, Pastoral Counseling, Practical Theology, or Spiritual Formation
**MTS in Biblical Languages, Biblical Studies, Christian Theology, or Church History
**ThM in Biblical Studies, Christian Theology, Historical Theology, or Practical Theology
Rockbridge Seminary
**MDiv
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
**MDiv in Biblical Counseling, Christian Ethics, Christian Ministry, Church Revitalization, International Church Planting, Ministry Leadership, Ministry to Women, Missiology, North American Church Planting, Pastoral Ministry & Biblical Counseling, Preaching & Pastoral Ministry, or Student Ministry
**MA in Biblical Counseling, Christian Education, Christian Marriage, Family & Individual Counseling, Christian Ministry, Christian Revitalization, Christian Studies, Church Planting, Intercutlural Studies, Ministry Leadership, Ministry to Women, or Student Ministry
**ThM in Biblical Studies (Old Testament or New Testament), Theological Studies (Theology, Philosophy, Historical Theology, Christian Ethics), or Applied Theology (Preaching, Evangelism, Missions, Biblical Counseling, Christian Leadership, Women’s Studies or Theology & Worship)
Southeastern University
**MDiv
**MA in Biblical Studies, Family Ministry, or Theological Studies
**MA in Ministerial Leadership in Executive Ministry, Leadership, or Ministry
**MS in Pastoral Care & Counseling
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
**MDiv (students can use their electives to earn one or more of the following graduate certificates: Apologetics & Philosophy, Biblical Counseling, Biblical Theology, Biblical Worship, Christian Leadership, Church History, Church Planting & Revitalization, Islamic Studies, Missions, Greek Exegesis, Hebrew Exegesis, or Systematic Theology)
**MA in Apologetics, Biblical Counseling, Christian Education, Church Ministries, Leadership, Islamic Studies, Missiology, Theological Studies, Theological Studies & Intercultural Leadership, Theological Studies & Lay Leadership, or Worship Leadership
**ThM in Biblical Studies, Historical & Theological Studies, Philosophy & Theological Studies, or Practical Theology.
Southern Evangelical Seminary
**MDiv in Apologetics or Biblical Studies
**MA in Biblical Studies, Christian Apologetics, Christian Apologetics & Theology, Church Ministry, Philosophy, or Religion
**ThM
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
**MDiv in Biblical Languages, Biblical Studies, Counseling, Chaplaincy, Intercultural Studies, Family Ministry, Pastoral Theology, or Theological Studies
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
**MDiv in International Church Planting and various majors available in the schools of Educational Ministries, Evangelism & Missions, or Theology
**MA in Biblical Counseling, Christian Education, or Worship Leadership
**MTS
**ThM with various majors available in the schools of Educational Ministries, Evangelism & Missions, or Theology
Talbot School of Theology at Biola University
**MDiv in Pastoral Ministry or Missions & Intercultural Studies
**MA in Bible Exposition, Christian Apologetics, Classical Theology, Intercultural Studies, Ministry & Leadership, New Testament, Old Testament, Philosophy, Science & Religion, or Theology
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School at Trinity International University
**MDiv in Church & Parachurch Ministry or Academic Ministry
**MA in Educational Ministries or Theological Studies
Wayland Baptist University
**MDiv (various majors)
Wesley Biblical Seminary
**MDiv in Ministry, Chaplaincy, Biblical Languages, and Honors Research
Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University
**MDiv in Biblical Studies, Children/Youth/Family Ministry, Leadership, Pastoral Care, Pastoral Ministry, Spiritual Formation, or Worship Arts
**MTS
**MA in Ministry in Biblical Studies, Children/Youth/Family Ministry, Leadership, Pastoral Care, Pastoral Ministry, Spiritual Formation, or Worship Arts
Western Seminary
**MDiv in Biblical/Theological Studies, Chaplaincy, Coaching, Exegetical Studies, Pastoral Studies, or Women's Transformational Leadership
**MA in Biblical & Theological Studies in Biblical/Theological Studies, Chaplaincy, Coaching, Exegetical Studies, Pastoral Studies, or Women's Transformational Leadership
**MA in Global Leadership in Coaching, Developing Cross-Cultural Teams/Leaders, Evangelism/Discipleship/Apologetics, International Business/Business as Mission, Intercultural Counseling, Intercultural Education, Journalism, Linguistics/Translation, Organizational Leadership, Refugee Ministry, or TESOL
**MA in Ministry & Leadership in Biblical/Theological Studies, Chaplaincy, Coaching, Pastoral Studies, or Women's Transformational Leadership
Westminster Theological Seminary (PA)
**MDiv in Ministry
**MA in Counseling, Religion, or Theological Studies
**ThM in Biblical Studies (Old Testament or New Testament) or Historical & Theological Studies (Church History, Systematic Theology, or Apologetics).
Wheaton College (Chicago)
William Jessup University
**MA in Leadership in Ministry
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