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Online Seminaries and schools are quickly becoming a preferred way to earn a degree or certificate. Certainly there are stereotypes that hinder students from pursuing the options more actively. One reason students shy away from online seminaries is the perception the courses lacking accountability, given the flexibility. However, we’ve found that the biggest advantage for online seminaries is the possibility of pursuing a Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Master of Science, or even in some cases, a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies while maintaining a full-time job! And, if you can stick to a schedule and organize your week, the flexibility might become a shared advantage to online classes.

Top 20 Online Seminaries and Schools for 2017

This curated list is brought to you by: Sharefaith Church Websites

Note: Our top 20 Online Seminaries and Schools are listed in alphabetical order. All tuition expenses are estimates. Other expenses such as application fees and graduation fees are not listed.

 

 

 

 

 

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Indiana Wesleyan University: Wesley Seminary

Summary

With IWU’s online education programs, you and your fellow students act as consultants to one another. Class sizes are capped to create an intimate learning experience. The curriculum for IWU’s online courses is specifically designed to maximize the learning experience for adults.

You will earn the same degree online as you would in a classroom. The only difference is where you hold your class discussions and where you submit your assignments.

Affiliation

Evangelical

Online Graduate Degrees

Abilene Christian University

Summary

Abilene. Anywhere. Further your education at a nationally recognized Christian university without having to relocate — all while balancing the demands of work, life and your community.

Our online degree programs were designed with busy working adults like you in mind. You’ll focus on one class at a time during six- or seven-week terms.

And even though you might be somewhere else geographically, as an ACU online student, you’re part of a vibrant, virtual, Christ-centered community.

Affiliation

Evangelical (Founded by Churches of Christ)

Online Graduate Degrees

Bethel Seminary of Bethel University

Summary

At Bethel, excellence means bringing theology to life by guiding you to live out your beliefs. You’ll become a well-rounded and diligent theological scholar, strong leader, and faithful servant. You’ll also develop your God-given talents while gaining the biblical foundation you need to discern faithfully, think critically, and act wisely. Here, a seminary education is about using everything you believe to make a real difference in your community and in the world.

Affiliation

Baptist

Online Graduate Degrees

Dallas Theological Seminary

Summary

Their motto is, “You don’t have to uproot to attend seminary. DTS has fully online programs designed to immerse you in the Gospel story in all 66 books of the Bible and prepare you to serve wherever God calls you.” Dallas is well established with a history of almost 100 years and a reputation for educating pastors for service throughout the world.

Affiliation

DTS is strongly evangelical but is not aligned with a particular denomination. In terms of a theological particularity, dispensationalism is expressed in Article V of the beliefs they hold.

Online Graduate Degrees

Grand Canyon University

Summary

Many working professionals aspire to attain a higher level of education. Grand Canyon University’s online degree programs offer the flexibility you need to get ahead, providing a quality education to help you thrive in today’s complex business world. Backed by the legacy of our traditional campus, GCU is an accredited university that stands out from other online education institutions.

Affiliation

Evangelical (Founded by Southern Baptists)

Online Graduate Degrees

Knox Theological Seminary

Summary

“Disappointed by other online seminary programs that only provide audio lectures and leave you on your own to learn?” they ask on their website. “Overwhelmed by the idea of moving and leaving your ministry context to attend a residential seminary program?” Knox offers an online program and seminary experience that is, “quality, affordable, and accredited.” They have a partially online Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry and Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies (MABTS), and a fully online Master of Arts in Christian and Classical Studies (MACCS).

Affiliation

Reformation

Online Graduate Degrees

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Liberty University

Summary

Liberty’s online degrees are taught in a flexible virtual classroom environment, allowing students to complete assignments on their own schedules. Many of the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees offered by Liberty University Online can be completed 100 percent online using an eight-week delivery format, with some exceptions in which a student is required to complete a minimum number of courses on campus.

Affiliation

Liberty is strongly evangelical. Founded by Southern Baptist Minister Jerry Falwell, it has a strong Baptist heritage though it is not formally affiliated with the convention. Not unlike other evangelical choices, Liberty adheres to a strict pre-tribulation doctrine.

Online Graduate Degrees

Moody Bible Institute

Summary

Moody Bible Institute Distance Learning offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of theology, Bible, ministry and education. Whether your goal is to earn an accredited degree or to grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible, our prayer is that these online courses will help you develop a passion for God’s Word and give you the tools to make the most of your daily walk with Christ.

Convenient online courses allow you to study with Moody Bible Institute, joining thousands of other students seeking a trusted Bible education within a diverse international biblical community.

Affiliation

Evangelical

Online Graduate Degree

Multnomah Theological Seminary

Summary

Multnomah has a great reputation and dates back to 1936. Based in Portland, Oregon, they offer several fully online programs as well as a master of divinity hybrid program. They have a more time-condensed model for their online courses which last (an intensive) eight weeks. The FAQ is more helpful than others, answering many concerns about online class instruction and the general expectations.

Affiliation

Evangelical

Online Graduate Degrees

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Summary

Known as NOBTS, the seminary is in the work of providing innovative delivery systems, preparing our students for ministry through innovative delivery systems. They are in the family of Southern Baptist seminaries, though our research suggests NOBTS is much more affordable whether you’re Baptist or not. NOBTS have become a leading choice in online programming as they live out that call, “whether God is calling you as a pastor, missionary, counselor, youth minister, educator, worship leader, apologist, or something else entirely.”

Affiliation

Southern Baptist

Online Graduate Degrees

Ohio Christian University

Summary

Ohio Christian University understands and supports your commitments to your family and career. OCU Online offers Associate and Bachelor programs designed for busy adults. These accredited and affordable programs are completed entirely online, with no campus visits or residency requirements. You take classes around your schedule.

Affiliation

Evangelical (Founded for the Churches of Christ)

Online Graduate Degree

Portland Seminary (George Fox University)

Summary

The Distance Seminary Programs (SemD) is, “a vibrant learning community,”  says their website. You are divided into cohorts in an effort to form community, with the start of your time in what they call a”Threshold orientation” in Portland. Then, your cohort grows together through online dialogue, face-to-face gatherings, social media interaction, symposia events, and student-led face-to-face activities. “Studios” are specially tailored learning environments where you will delve deep into your chosen specialization. In your studio, you will learn alongside a small group of students who share your specialization interest, and with faculty members or denominational leaders uniquely qualified to facilitate learning in your area.

Affiliation

Evangelical

Online Graduate Degrees

Reformed Theological Seminary

Summary

The desire to dig deeper into God’s Word through formal seminary education may seem out of reach for many Christians due to location, as well as commitments to family, church, and work. Through its distance education programs, RTS Global Education offers a pathway to the same high-quality, biblically based training RTS is known for right where you are, on your schedule. Our flexible, fully online programs provide a unique opportunity to study with distinguished RTS faculty, at your own pace, wherever God has called you to serve.

Affiliation

Evangelical

Online Graduate Degrees

Regent University

Summary

With classes starting every eight weeks, Regent makes it very convenient to take classes. They have a tremendous variety of emphases. Their website says, “Regent is vested in versatility. We give you the flexibility to choose how you’d like to incorporate our courses into your schedule, whether it be on campus or online – another element to ensure you obtain your degree in a timely fashion.” The ease of sign-up and course pages seems to live up to this statement.

Affiliation

Interdenominational

Online Graduate Degrees

Saint Leo University

Summary

Saint Leo University is a Catholic, liberal arts-based university serving people of all faiths. Founded in 1889, the university has expanded to 16,000 if you count its residential Florida campus and other extension and online students. Its MAT program provides,  “a solid foundation and broad introduction to the major disciplines of academic theology from the perspective of Roman Catholic Tradition and within the ecumenical setting of contemporary theological research and dialogue.”

Affiliation

Roman Catholic

Online Graduate Degree

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Summary

Southeastern is in the family of Southern Baptist schools that include Southern and Southwestern. They are a younger school founded in 1950 and based in Wake Forest, North Carolina. They offer a good amount of helps to get started with your education for the computer novice in the hopes that their education will benefit you no matter where you are in the world. The school also offers a small list of free classes that might motivate you to try out this mode of learning.

Affiliation

Southern Baptist

Online Graduate Degrees

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Summary

Southern, as it’s called for short, offers more than 160 courses online and many more in a hybrid format with intensive weekends on their Louisville campus or nine other satellite sites. It is the flagship seminary of several within the denomination.

Affiliation

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is affiliated with–you guessed it–the Southern Baptist denomination and therefore at the forefront of evangelicalism as it is the largest US denomination. Southern Baptists are known for a staunch autonomy of the local church.

Online Graduate Degrees

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Summary

In a fast-paced, ever-changing world, you need quality theological education to support the demands of ministry. Southwestern stands ready to partner with you, providing theological training and practical tools wherever you are in ministry.

Our five fully accredited, fully-online degree options—which now include the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education—give you access to our world-class faculty as you fulfill God’s call on your life. Start a degree or complete a degree while you continue in your current ministry context. Either way, we’re there.

Affiliation

Southern Baptist

Online Graduate Degrees

St. Joseph’s College

Summary

St. Joseph’s is located in Standish, Maine, and is Maine’s online Catholic college. The online Master of Arts in Theology program is, “rooted in Roman Catholic doctrine and life, and fully in accord with the magisterium, serves Catholic deacons and lay ecclesial ministers in their families, parishes, diocesan agencies, hospitals, workplaces, retreat/spiritual centers or social service agencies.”

Affiliation

Roman Catholic

Online Graduate Degree

Fuller Theological Seminary

Summary

Whether God is calling you to church ministry, nonprofit service, cross-cultural work, or another vocation—or you are already serving in ministry but need to deepen your knowledge and skills—equip yourself with a master’s degree from Fuller Seminary. With new flexible formats that include the possibility to remain where you are by studying primarily or fully online, Fuller provides options to complete your degree on your own schedule with the right combination of online and on-campus courses.

Affiliation

Evangelical

Online Graduate Degrees

Honarable Mention:

Fordham University

Summary

We are happy to see that you are ready to take the next step in advancing your career and ministry and are confident that GRE online programs will lead you to where you want to be.

Affiliation

The University is a member of the American Council of Education, the Association of American Colleges, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, the Council of Graduate Schools of the United States, the National Association of Graduate Schools, the Council of Higher Educational Institutions in New York City, and the Association of Universities and Colleges of the State of New York.

Online Graduate Degrees

Columbia International University

Summary

You’re ready to advance — advance your career, your skillset, and your role in God’s great mission. Our online master’s programs are designed as a flexible, affordable option, helping you grow academically and spiritually, while still meeting other life commitments, such as work and family.

Affiliation

Multidenominational

Online Graduate Degrees

Campbellsville University

Summary

Campbellsville University is proud to offer online programs, backed with over a century of academic excellence. Our programs are rooted in our Christ-centered values and support our mission to prepare students as servant leaders for life-long learning, continued scholarship and active participation in a diverse, global society. The programs at Campbellsville University online have been awarded numerous top distinctions by U.S. News & World Report, Forbes Southern U.S. Business Schools and TheBestSchools.org to name a few.

Affiliation

 

Online Graduate Degrees

Gateway Seminary

Summary

Gateway Online exists to shape leaders who expand God’s kingdom around the world by making theological education available to students anywhere in the world.

Gateway Online’s fully accredited master’s degree programs combine the best of academic studies with significant ministry training to prepare men and women for a variety of ministries.

Affiliation

Southern Baptist Convention

Online Graduate Degrees

Calvin Theological Seminary

Summary

Calvin Seminary offers a range of degrees & programs to get you ready to act on your call to ministry—no matter what form it takes. You can prepare for ordained ministry in the church, train for specialized ministries, do advanced study, or even prepare yourself for ordained leadership in the Christian Reformed Church after studying elsewhere.

Affiliation

Reformed Christianity

Online Graduate Degrees

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