****This page is regularly updated****
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 just doesn't make sense. And if you have kids, well... 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. There are 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 just 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 either regional accreditation or national 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, keep in mind 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 schools for ministry/practitioner training, The King's University has more of a charismatic theological focus, Dallas Seminary loves Bible exposition, Southern Evangelical Seminary is all about apologetics, and well, 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, and Theological Studies
Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
**ThM in Theology
Biola University (Crowell School of Business and Talbot School of Theology)
**MDiv in Pastoral Ministry and Missions & Intercultural Studies
**MA in Bible Exposition, Christian Apologetics, Classical Theology, Intercultural Studies, Ministry & Leadership, New Testament, Old Testament, Philosophy, Science & Religion, and Theology
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, and Worship)
Concordia University- Irvine (The Townsend Institute for Leadership & Counseling)
**M.A. in Counseling, Executive Coaching & Consultation, and Organizational Leadership
Cornerstone University (Cornerstone Theological Seminary)
**MDiv
**MA in Biblical Exegesis (Old Testament or New Testament), Biblical Studies, Ministry Leadership, and 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, and Media Arts & Worship
**MBTS
Denver Seminary
**MDiv
**MA in Biblical & Theological Studies, Christian Studies, Leadership, New Testament, and Old Testament
Fuller Theological Seminary
**MDiv in Biblical Studies, Leadership in Times of Change, and Pastoral Counseling
**MA in Intercultural Studies, Theology, Justice & Advocacy, Global Missional Leadership, and Theology & Ministry
**ThM in Theology & Intercultural Studies (a few days on campus are required)
*****Regardless of which degree you undertake, you can focus on one of the following subjects: African American Church Studies, Ancient Context of the Old Testament, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Asian American Contexts, Children at Risk, Christian Ethics, Church Planting, Global Arts & World Religions, International Development and Urban Studies, Islamic Studies, Race Cultural Identity & Reconciliation, Recovery Ministry, Theology & the Arts, Worship Music Ministry, Worship Theology & the Arts, and Youth Family & Culture
Global University
**MDiv in Biblical Theology & Languages or Ministerial Studies
**MA in Biblical Studies or Ministerial Studies
Grace Theological Seminary
**Chaplaincy, Christian Ministry, Exegetical Studies, General Studies, Intercultural Studies, Pastoral Counseling, or Pastoral Studies
**MMin (Master of Ministry)
Grand Canyon University
**MDiv
Hope International University (Pacific Christian College of Ministry & Biblical Studies)
**MDiv in Christian Ministry & Leadership, Church Planting, Intercultural Studies, Spiritual Formation, and Worship Ministry
**MA in Ministry in Biblical Studies, Christian Leadership, Church Planting, Intercultural Studies, Pastoral Care, Spiritual Formation, and Children Youth & Family Ministry (single concentration or dual concentration available)
**Dual Degree: MBA & MA in Ministry
Johnson University
**MA in Intercultural Studies in Community Development, Cross-Cultural Engagement, Cross-Cultural Church Planting, Translation, and Customized option
**MA in New Testament in Research, Preaching, Spiritual Formation & Leadership, and Customized option
The King’s University (The King's Seminary)
**MDiv in Ministry or Messianic Jewish Studies
**MPT in Ministry or Messianic Jewish Studies
**MTS
Lincoln Christian University
**MA in Bible & Theology or Organizational Leadership
Luther Rice College & Seminary
**MDiv in Ministry
**MA in Apologetics, Christian Studies, Ministry & Leadership
The Master's University
**MA in Biblical Studies (majors in Biblical Languages, Missions, Music & Worship, Theological Studies, & Women's Ministry)
Moody Bible Institute (Moody Theological Seminary)
**MDiv in Biblical Preaching, Interdisciplinary Studies, Pastoral Studies, and TESOL
Nations University
**MDiv in Ministry
**MTS in Theological Studies
Phoenix Seminary
**MDiv in Biblical & Theological Studies
**MA in Christian Studies, Biblical & Theological Studies, or Ministry
Reformed Theological Seminary
**MA in Biblical Studies, Religion, and Theological Studies
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, and Worship & Media
**MA in Apologetics & Cosmogony, Christian Discipleship, Church Leadership, Church Planting, Evangelism & Mission, Online Ministry, Pastoral Counseling, Practical Theology, and Spiritual Formation
**MTS in Biblical Languages, Biblical Studies, Chrisitan Theology, and Church History
**ThM in Biblical Studies, Christian Theology, Historical Theology, and Practical Theology
Southeastern University
**MDiv
**MA in Biblical Studies, Family Ministry, and Theological Studies
**MA in Ministerial Leadership in Executive Ministry, Leadership, and Ministry
**MS in Pastoral Care & Counseling
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, and Theology
**MA in Biblical Counseling, Christian Education, and Worship Leadership
**MTS
**ThM with various majors available in the schools of Educational Ministries, Evangelism & Missions, and Theology
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Trinity International University
**MDiv in Church & Parachurch Ministry and Academic Ministry
**MA in Educational Ministries or Theological Studies
Wesley Biblical Seminary
**MDiv in Ministry, Chaplaincy, Biblical Languages, and Honors Research
Western Seminary
**MDiv in Biblical/Theological Studies, Chaplaincy, Coaching, Exegetical Studies, Pastoral Studies, and Women's Transformational Leadership
**MA in Biblical & Theological Studies in Biblical/Theological Studies, Chaplaincy, Coaching, Exegetical Studies, Pastoral Studies, and 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, and TESOL
**MA in Ministry & Leadership in Biblical/Theological Studies, Chaplaincy, Coaching, Pastoral Studies, and Women's Transformational Leadership
**MABL
Wheaton College (Chicago)
William Jessup University
**MA in Leadership in Executive Coaching or Ministry