What is an Online Divinity Degree?
An Online Divinity Degree is awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or occasionally other religious studies.
This degree (at the Master’s level) is typically the standard prerequisite for ordination to the priesthood, pastorate, or any other appointment, ordination or licensing to a professional ministry.
Christian University Accreditation
When selecting a Christian College, your best bet is to choose a college accredited by one of the six regional accreditors. They are the very same regional accreditors which grant most brick-and-mortar public and private universities their accreditation.
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Many of the Christian Colleges offering online degrees at this time are not regionally accredited.
Despite this fact, there is one brick-and-mortar Christian University that stands out as it is Regionally Accredited (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) and currently offers Online Divinity, Ministry, Religion, Theology, Christian Leadership, Counseling, Christian Education, and Worship degrees online (among others).
If you are interested in pursuing an Online Divinity Degree or other Online Christian Degrees from a Regionally Accredited Christian University, take 2 minutes and get the complete scoop from Liberty University Online.
Online Christian Degrees
An Online Divinity Degree is one which will give you the comprehensive religious and professional training and credentials you need in preparation for entering this challenging and rewarding field. There are various degree levels for Divinity degrees – ranging from bachelors to doctorates – but the master’s degree is currently replacing the bachelor’s degree as the preferred entry level professional degree. A Divinity degree is also considered a level above comparable Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees.
You may also choose to specialize in a specific area of ministry, such as any of the following:
• Biblical Studies
• Christian Leadership
• Church Ministries
• Discipleship Ministries
• Evangelism & Church Planting
• Intercultural Studies
• Pastoral Counseling
• Pastoral / Preaching
• Theology & Apologetics
• Worship Studies
• Youth Ministries
Why should you earn an Online Divinity Degree?
If you are interested in an Online Divinity Degree, and desire to enter some area of ministry or religious teaching, you will need to be sure you earn an accredited Divinity degree. Also, as noted above, it is advised to pursue the Master of Divinity degree, and not just a Bachelor of Divinity degree. You should also be aware that a divinity degree program is more intensive than traditional academic degrees. It may take 3 years to obtain your M.Div. degree, so be sure you are prepared to commit to the time necessary. There are three types of Divinity degrees from which to choose:
- Bachelor of Divinity (B.Div.) Degree – essentially equivalent to a Bachelor of Arts degree with a specialty in divinity
- Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Degree– the preferred degree and prerequisite for those entering some form of ministry; usually consists of ninety or more semester hours, as opposed to the usual thirty-six or forty-eight for traditional master’s degree programs
- Doctor of Divinity (D.Div.) Degree- considered an advanced academic and/or ministerial degree, often awarded as an honorary degree in the USA for those who desire to teach religious studies and/or whose work has made an impact on the religious community
Salaries range widely for those in ministry, with variants depending on degree, experience, geographic location, as well as size of the church, ministry, or teaching facility.
What courses are included in an Online Divinity Degree Program?
A Divinity degree program typically provides a wide range of courses. Some of the basic courses in a Divinity degree program may include a variation of the following, depending on the particular focus and degree level:
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• Christian ministry
• Christian theology
• New Testament Greek
• Theology
• Philosophy
• Church history
• Pastoral Theology
• Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)
• New Testament studies
• Church Growth
• Ecclesiology
• Evangelism
• Systematic Theology
• Christian Education
• Liturgical Studies
• Latin
• Hebrew
• Canon Law
• Patristics/Patrology
• Pastoral Counseling
• Psychology
If you are interested in pursuing an Online Divinity Degree or other Online Christian Degrees from a Regionally Accredited Christian University, take 2 minutes and get the complete scoop from Liberty University Online.
