Top 25 Online Master's in Theology Programs for 2019
Earning a master's in theology online can prepare you for a number of positions in the church, schools, or another discipline. Many careers in theology only require a high school diploma or a bachelor's degree. However, an advanced degree like a master of arts in theology online is necessary to pursue leadership roles and command a higher salary. Your state of residence and choice of career will influence the rate of job growth and salary that you can expect. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that careers in theology and religious work will rise 6.3% over the next decade , and those with higher levels of education and more professional experience enjoy more employment opportunities.
What are the Best Online Master's in Theology Programs?
Top 25 Online Masters in Theology Programs for 2019
Admissions Rate
73%
Graduation Rate
58%
Online Enrollment
36%
Retention Rate
100%
Located in Redding, CA, Shasta educates Baptist pastors, missionaries, Christian school teachers, and other Christian service professionals. Its campus hosts several conferences throughout the year and is home to a creation museum. Shasta's online graduate students can choose to pursue a master of arts in christian ministries: biblical studies if they possess the required prerequisites in biblical studies, theology, Greek, and Hebrew.
Students who earn their online master's in theology at Shasta must complete 36 credits. Courses draw from Greek, Hebrew, biblical studies, and biblical theology. A master's thesis, project, or practicum serves as the program's capstone. Digital learners have access to coursework throughout the week, and rarely need to be online at a specific time. They do, however, follow the same semester-long course calendar as on-campus students. Students can transfer up to six credits into the program.
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How to Choose an Online Master's in Theology Program
Given the wide variety of options available, it can be difficult to choose the master's in theology online that is right for you. Luckily, there are a few fundamental aspects that you can consider to shorten your list of potential schools. First, you should consider whether a program includes any on-campus requirements. You'll also want to determine the duration of each program and the cost per credit hour. If you plan on working while earning your degree, then you may want to choose a program with a part-time learning option or one that delivered courses asynchronously online. Finally, you'll want to choose a school that is accredited.
Careers for Graduates of Master's in Theology Programs
Many of the careers found in theology have been present in society since the birth of religion thousands of years ago. As long as there is religion, there will always be a demand for professionals educated in theology to guide followers in their spiritual and moral decisions. Earning an online master's in theology can open doors to a career as a leader in a church, school, or even in other workplaces. By earning a master's in theology online, you increase the chances of obtaining a leadership role that commands a higher salary.
Missionaries are sent to provide ministry services to a community, frequently in a different country. These services include: education, healthcare, economic development, and social justice. This work is completed concurrently with the spreading of the word of God and forging of relationships between church and community.
Median Salary: $33,205
Job Outlook and Salary for Graduates of Theology Master's Degrees
As noted above, the BLS projects that there will be increased employment opportunities for those with a master of arts in theology online during the next decade. Where you live can have a large impact on the salary and rate of job growth that you will experience. For example, states with large populations and coastal cities are more likely to offer higher salaries thanks to their larger economies and high demand for religious services. Religion, and by extension religious leadership, has always been fundamental aspects of human culture; as long as religion exists, there will be a steady demand for theological professionals.
| Employment, 2016 | Projected Employment, 2026 |
|---|---|
| 78,160 | 109,424 |
Salary Growth by Experience for Graduates of Theology Master's Programs
In most fields, you can earn a higher salary if you have more professional experience. As an entry-level employee, you'll start with a lower base salary that will grow as you gain more experience in the field. Theology and other religious fields follow the same rules. The more you become immersed in a religious field, you'll come to understand what is expected of a successful professional in that field. As a result, your skills will be honed accordingly. The chart below details the average salaries you can expect to see in several careers that are common among theology master's online graduates.
To determine the best online theology programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the 25 best online theology degree programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.