20 Best Online Master’s of Theology Degree Programs

If you are searching for an online, fully accredited master’s degree in theology with a Baptist tradition that does not require prior theology studies, this school may be the one for you.

SBTS requires 36 semester hours to graduate, all of which may be completed online in two years. To build a solid basis for church work within local communities, students take classes in: 

• Biblical hermeneutics
• Christian apologetics
• Both the Old and New Testament
• Historical development

You are encouraged to work and go to school so that you can put into practice what you are learning.

A truly exceptional feature of this program is that classes are also offered in Spanish, allowing Latinos and those who wish to work with Spanish-speaking communities to grow in their knowledge and strengthen their neighborhoods. 

This best theology master’s program is by far one of the most affordable programs, and students are allowed to make monthly installment payments.

If you are concerned about the cost of education or want to attend a seminary with an Evangelical background, Baptist Missionary Association Seminary may be the school for you. 

BMATS created their online education format so that students could continue serving overseas or in their local communities while pursuing higher education and furthering their careers in the ministry. BMATS has received recognition for being the most affordable online Christian school and the most affordable master’s in religious studies and theology.

Online classes typically consist of short videos, reading, and interacting with professors and other students. Some classes also provide the option to attend via video conferencing.You learn from each other by responding to questions that the instructor posts on a blackboard thread.The responses encourage debate and discussions. BMATS estimates that students will spend about nine hours preparing for each three-hour class. 

This best online theological seminary requires 36 credit hours, including coursework in: 

• The Old and New Testaments
• Christian faith
• Theology
• Survey of Baptist Heritage

If you’re looking to complete your master of theology degree on a part-time basis and wish to do so entirely online, Covenant’s  program may be the one for you. The master’s degree is fully accredited and has the same degree options as the on-campus program. 

Students can progress through the best masters in theology at their own pace while following the syllabus of each course. You learn with other online students and get to know one another through online forums, video conferencing, and group projects.

For their online Biblical studies programs, Covenant offers: 

• A Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies (MABTS)
• A Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM)
• A Master of Divinity (MDiv) 

The theology program consists of 48 credit hours, and it may take around four years to complete on a part-time basis. 

This seminary offers an exclusive class about the last days, called Spirit, Church, and Last Things. As part of the admission requirements, all students must attempt to pass the Bible Content Exam. Students must pass this exam before graduation.

If you have dreamed of planting a church in another country or ministering to people in distant lands, this master’s degree may be for you. 

Designed with Baptist students in mind, Southeastern offers both a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or a Master’s in Biblical and Theological Studies. Students can choose from many specialty areas, including ethics and church planning abroad. 

If becoming a missionary or international pastor is part of your plan, you may be interested in their cross-cultural exchange program, which provides students with the skills they need to lead churches and ministries in other countries. 

Being a member of the Baptist Church will cut the cost of your tuition in half, a huge financial aid opportunity! This best online theological seminary will challenge and prepare students for whatever ministry is ahead.

This best master of divinity program is designed to prepare students to become pastors and to teach God’s word clearly and effectively to today’s congregations. The ATS accredits the master’s program. 

Moody employs some of the best, most experienced professors. As a master of theology student, you will take rigorous coursework in: 

• Hebrew and Greek
• Biblical studies 
• Christian faith
• Training on how to preach 
• Theology
• Leadership
• Church history

You may be able to graduate faster by transferring up to seven graduate courses you have taken previously. Moody requires all students pursuing a master of divinity to gain hands-on experience before graduating with two internships. The first practicum must directly correlate to the area that you will work in after graduation.

Moody offers both a master of divinity and a Master of Arts in theology online.

Students from a wide range of Christian denominations are welcome to study a master of Biblical and theological studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Because Dallas Theological Seminary understands the importance of online students integrating with on-campus students, some online courses have an option for students to join the class remotely by video. If you are concerned about not having a chance to participate in classroom discussion, this could be the program to check out.

There are a total of 36 semester credits required to graduate, consisting of eight core classes and four electives. All students complete a summer research project in this degree program. Enrollees can plan to graduate in two years. 

If you have significant related work experience before starting the graduate program, you can request to have your experience count towards up to twelve credit hours. This best master of theology program trains students to work in the local church and the mission field but is not intended to train pastors.

If you would like the option of completing a master in theology degree completely online or a hybrid option of online and on-campus, you may want to look into New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. 

This program is designed for students planning to pursue higher education, or those looking to increase their general theology knowledge so that they can take on support roles within the church. 

If you aren’t sure about pursuing a master of theology but would like to take a class to check it out, non-degree seeking students are welcome. NOBTS strives to ensure that their courses are transferable.

NOBTS offers various types of online theology degrees including:

• Master of Divinity
• Master of Arts in Theology
• Master of Arts in Apologetics
• Master of Arts in Christian Education
• Master of Arts in Discipleship
• Master of Arts in Missiology
• Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry
• Spanish-Language Master of Theology

The United Theological Seminary offers a Master of Arts in theology fully online and a master of divinity mostly online with some classes onsite. This online theology degree consists of 48 semester hours and focuses on: 

• Biblical studies
• The history of Christianity
• Systematic theology
• Wesleyan-Methodist studies

Most students complete this top theology degree program on a full-time basis in two to three years. Although you can complete all classes online, the program offers a week of intensive classes four times throughout the year at the Dayton, Ohio campus.

UTS understands that undertaking an online master’s degree isn’t for everyone. They have an online readiness quiz on their website for anyone who might be considering applying to an online program. This way, you can assess your ability to work independently to see if you might be a good candidate for the online platform.

SAGU offers one of the best masters of divinity in theology that is available entirely online. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accredits this school. If you are looking to serve in a particular area of ministry, this college may be for you.

The divinity degree comes with eight specializations including:

• Biblical languages 
• Biblical studies 
• Counseling 
• Family ministry 
• Chaplaincy 
• Intercultural studies 
• Pastoral studies 
• Theological studies

SAGU also places students in practicums before graduation, to help them get more experience and find positions. Students may complete a thesis if they wish. 

At the time of print, SAGU is providing an incredible financial aid opportunity to students: those accepted into the Master’s of Divinity Theology program and some related programs, can receive a 20% tuition grant for up to $1,000 each semester. This award is renewable for as long as a student is working towards his or her divinity degree.

At Ohio Christian University, students can earn their master of theology totally online. You can take one class at a time, while interacting with on-campus students and outstanding faculty. 

Graduate students build relationships with one another by taking classes in a cohort and moving through the program together. Also, there are no required times that students must log in, so this program is ideal for students who work or have a family. 

The master’s of theology prepares students for pastoral positions and is made up of eight required classes, including Bible, theological study, and church history. Students may choose a specialization in theology, pastoral care, or counseling.

OCU is an accredited, affordable masters option for students who want flexibility and a quality education.

This Catholic masters in theology program will prepare graduates to serve their church as a chaplain, minister, or catechist. It will also deepen student’s understanding of the Bible and their Catholic faith. The master of theology offers three specializations including:

• Pastoral Theology
• Sacred Theology
• Advanced Diaconal Studies

This online masters in theology provides a rich background in Catholic tradition where graduates will strengthen their faith and go on to serve their churches and communities.

If you have a Roman-Catholic background and are interested in exploring questions of Catholic tradition, this may be the program to check out. St. Leo is one of the oldest Catholic universities for higher education.

This online master’s degree in theology at a catholic school prepares students for pastoral roles in and outside of the church. This online theology program consists of a total of 36 credit hours. Students take nine required classes and three electives in other topics.

Graduates of St. Leo university with an online masters of theology have gone on to such jobs as:

• Director of Religious Education
• Clergy
• Hospital Chaplain
• High School Teacher
• Lawyer
• Social Worker

If you are looking for a flexible seminary rooted in Wesleyan tradition, this may be the program for you. The Association of Theological Schools approves this theology degree. WBS offers an MDiv and an MA with concentrations in:

• Apologetics
• Biblical Literature
• Theology
• Christian Studies

This Seminary offers 100% online students the option to take classes at the same time as on-campus students, linking them into the classroom via video conferencing. By using this platform, on-campus students benefit from learning from students who may be next door, or in another country. You also have the option of completing course work and logging into class discussions at any time, as long as you follow the syllabus and complete coursework on time.

Most classes have the flexible option to login in whenever it’s convenient, other than language courses such as Hebrew and Greek, which require more instructor feedback. Almost all of the coursework can be completed online, except for the research component. Most students finish this best theology masters program on a part-time basis, attending year-round for three years.

Gordon-Con has been educating people of faith for over 100 years and attracts students from 40 different countries. Seminary students study areas such as: 

• New Testament
• Pastoral theology
• Church history
• Missions 
• Spiritual formation 

You may elect to specialize in leadership or counseling. You can complete most of the theology degree coursework online, but one or more courses require you to visit the campus for a week during the academic year.

This top seminary utilizes a platform called Sakai. This platform assists peers to engage with one another and professors and students can ask questions and connect. Most students complete this best theology masters program in two years. 

Gordon-Conwell represents 85 denominations in over 50 countries. It offers an MDiv, ThM. and an MA with 11 different concentrations.

If you would like to specialize in serving African-American communities and attend a true one-of-a-kind seminary, Payne Theological Seminary may be the place for you. Payne is accredited by the ATS, is one of only six historically black seminaries in the United States, and 80 percent of coursework can be completed online. 

Graduate students study other areas like: 

• Ministry studies
• Theological method
• Historical development
• Practical ministry
• Religious education

Before graduating, students complete a one-year practicum in both a local church setting as well a non-church setting. This master of divinity degree is longer than most, requiring 90 credit hours, which usually takes three to five years to finish. Upon graduation, students are prepared to work as: 

• Pastors
• Chaplains
• Educators
• Community advocates
• Pastoral counselors

Fuller Seminary has one of the best online theological graduate schools offering flexibility and advanced theological studies rooted in the Bible. Fuller’s School of Theology offers the following theology programs:

• Master of Divinity (MDiv)
• MA in Theology (MAT)
• MA in Theology and Ministry (MATM)

The master’s in theology is an 80 quarter-hour program that prepares students for further study or leadership roles within the local church. You will study theology, ministry, and take a practicum in your chosen area. 

You will come to campus for one week for six of the required classes. You can take two of the required classes simultaneously, and coordinate to come to school for both classes during the same week. 

You can also specialize in many ministry settings and select a practicum in a particular area such as:

• Church planting
• Christian ethics
• Theology and the arts
• Pastoral ministry
• Youth, family and culture

If you are already working in ministry and wish to pursue a master’s of divinity, Nazarene Theological Seminary allows you to transfer up to 30 credit hours from approved graduate courses to fulfill the 76 credit hour requirement. 

Also, if you are a member of the Church of Nazarene, you receive a tuition discount. At Nazarene, students take classes at their pace through video conference, self-study, or practicums.

Core course work includes studying: 

• Old Testament and New Testament
• Church history
• Systematic theology
• Advanced theological study
• Philosophy
• Ministry training
• Electives

Students will need to stay at one of the campuses to complete one or more courses, but they only need to stay for one-week intervals during the academic year.

Specifically, the online master of theology programs at NTS include:

• MA Transformational Leadership (MATL)
• Master of Divinity (MDiv)
• MA in Theological Studies (MATS)

This distinctive master of theology program offers online-based learning and distributed learning. Distributed learning refers to following the same students in a cohort and taking online classes combined with two weeks of on-campus classes per semester.

Types of master of divinity degree programs offered at Luther Seminary include:

• M.Div.
• M.Div. Accelerated
• Th.M.
• M.A. (Concentrations in Bible, History of Christianity, Justice and Reconciliation, and Lutheran Ministries)

This ThM program offers online classes are taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus courses. The tuition costs of the face-to-face and online programs are the same as well. 

One of the big advantages of this best master’s in theology degree program is that after completing three years of coursework, students also complete a year-long internship, so that upon graduation, they are ready to take on their new roles. Students need to take 30 classes to graduate with this online degree, including: 

• Clinical pastoral education
• Cross-cultural education
• The comprehensive examination (practicum)

As part of the admission requirements, Luther Seminary has a particular candidacy process applicants must follow. 

Calvin Theological Seminary is recognized worldwide, and its students represent many countries. The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) approves the online degree: a master’s in theology or divinity. The theology program requires that students come to the campus for one week each semester. 

As a graduate student at Calvin, you will take classes in Biblical exposition, theology, and theological research. After graduation from Calvin, students are prepared to serve in religious communities all over the world.

To avoid isolation and to stay in touch, online students organize into cohorts. The school also utilizes Google Hangouts; this platform allows students to ask each other questions, debate, and even form bonds across thousands of miles.

The theology degree requires 57 semester credit hours to graduate. Students can plan on completing this best master of divinity or the master of theology program in three years with full time study. Calvin Theological Seminary’s distance learning programs are open to Canadian students as well.

Students at Iliff School of Theology connect with other online learners in their theology degree program. Iliff School of Theology offers several types of online masters in theology, including: 

• A Master of Divinity (Mdiv)
• A Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
• An MA in Pastoral & Spiritual Care (MAPSC)

While students earn this theology master’s degree program almost entirely online, they need to arrange to spend two week-long sessions on campus each semester. Upon graduation, students are prepared to minister in churches and the marketplace. 

This ThM program is made up of 72-quarter hours, consisting of: 

• Theology
• Biblical exposition
• Ethics
• Philosophy
• Social change

This program of study may interest you if you would like to assist local churches and organizations in working towards social and justice causes. For graduate students who wish to complete the program more quickly, Iliff offers an accelerated format.