A bachelor’s degree is given to students who fulfill the necessary requirements given by the college or university they are attending. The requirements include three to seven years of focus on a subject, typically referred to as a major or concentration.
Theology is a fascinating study of religious traditions throughout the centuries and their effects on world economics, politics and history. While some students may go on to work within a specific faith, others can use this degree to deepen their understanding of the divine as well as of people’s beliefs.
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BS in Pastoral Ministries
Campbellsville University OnlineCampbellsville, USACampbellsville University’s online Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministries demonstrates the university’s rich history of transforming students into successful ministry leaders. Students graduate fully prepared for a variety of careers, including an executive pastor, worship director, and youth minister.
Bachelor of Arts in Ministry
Institute of Lutheran TheologyBrookings, USAThe Bachelor of Arts in Ministry program is designed to prepare leaders with little or no prior theological training to provide pastoral leadership for a congregation. It prepares students for diaconal or other non-ordained ministries within the church and can be used as a route to ordained ministry, pre-seminary training, or graduate theological studies. This 126-credit program provides a general overview of theology and skills for congregational and other ministry contexts.
Bachelor of Theology and Religious Studies (Leuven)
KU Leuven: Faculty of Theology and Religious StudiesLeuven, BelgiumInterested in the study of theology and religion? In Leuven we offer an internationally renowned Bachelor of Theology and Religious Studies. In a three-year program (full- or part-time) students are initiated in all areas that together constitute Christian theology; in addition, particular attention is given to the contribution of religious studies, classical and modern languages, and philosophy. In some cases students can be granted advanced standing and as such admission to the Abridged Bachelor of Theology and Religious Studies (between 45 to 120 ECTS).
Honors B.A. with Major in Faith, Ethics and Justice
Saint Paul UniversityOttawa, CanadaThe B.A. in Faith, Ethics, and Justice (previously named B.A. in Theology) provides a multifaceted approach to exploring the Christian faith, the human experience, and the challenges of pursuing a more humane and just society. Whatever your background, you will find a place in this program to explore these questions in a fresh, open, and inviting way.
Bachelor of Biblical Studies (Online)
Christian Leadership UniversityOrlando, USAAre you content with limiting your Bible study to the accumulation of academic knowledge? Wouldn’t you rather encounter God through His Word and experience everything He reveals to you? If so, then a Bachelor of Biblical Studies from Christian Leadership University is exactly what you’ve been searching for.
The Theology (Online)programme is a flexible, blended part-time, and full time distance, online, programme which offers a range of course options and qualification outcomes.
It warmly welcomes applicants interested in theology, including those who wish to undertake vocational studies relevant to church ministry and convocation.
Theology – truly a naked emperor
Terry SandersonThis article is more than 11 years oldIn the words of Robert A Heinlein, ‘Theology … is searching in a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn’t there’Wed 26 May 2010 09.00 BST
The question: What is theology?
In my work as president of the National Secular Society I sometimes receive manuscripts from people who have come up with what they imagine is the definitive refutation of Christian claims. “Publish this,” they say, “and Christianity will end within a year!”
I find these turgid tomes no more convincing than the ones that they seek to refute. They are anti-theology, and given that theology is drivel, efforts to unpick it are hopeless.
What is theology? I think one of the best definitions was given by the sci-fi writer Robert A Heinlein when he said: “Theology … is searching in a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn’t there. Theologians can persuade themselves of anything.”
And, indeed they can. They can twist the language, invert the meaning of words, tie themselves into logical knots and then get admired for it. We are told theologians are there to make sense of The Big Questions.
But I have a problem with The Big Questions – you know the sort of thing: Why are we here? What comes after death? What, indeed, is the meaning of life? My problem is that these questions don’t have an answer – no matter how long you think about them and however much you try to bring God into the equation, you’ll get nowhere. Or, as Gertrude Stein so eloquently put it: “The answer is: there is no answer.”
Take Rowan Williams, for example, who is lauded far and wide for the vastness of his theological knowledge. He is said to have a brain the size of Jupiter because he can produce convoluted writing that nobody with their feet in reality can comprehend. And because no one can fathom it, it must be very important, right? He’s much cleverer than we are because he can say things that we don’t understand. For instance:
“The word of God is not bound. God speaks, and the world is made; God speaks and the world is remade by the word incarnate. And our human speaking struggles to keep up. We need, not human words that will decisively capture what the word of God has done and is doing, but words that will show us how much time we have to take in fathoming this reality, helping us turn and move and see, from what may be infinitesimally different perspectives, the patterns of light and shadow in a world where the word’s light has been made manifest. It is no accident that the gospel which most unequivocally identifies Jesus as the word made flesh is the gospel most characterised by this same circling, hovering, recapitulatory style, as if nothing in human language could ever be a ‘last’ word.”
But when he has reached the very depths of his profundity what does it amount to? I can do no better than HL Mencken, who said: “For centuries, theologians have been explaining the unknowable in terms of the-not-worth-knowing.”
Theology is an excuse for grown men to spend their lives trying to convince themselves, and others, that ridiculous fairy tales are true. Some of them get paid for it. On my Sky Box there are dozens of channels under the heading “Religion”. If you choose one of these channels at random you will either find someone wanting your credit card details or someone strolling around a stage carrying a large Bible before him. He will be explaining to his attentive audience the meaning of some of the more ambiguous verses in the good book.
Five minutes after tuning in to such a session, you will begin to wonder whether you’ve had one of those strokes that make your native language incomprehensible to you. You recognise individual words as English, but they have no meaning. Despite the shouting and the emphasis put on them by the speaker, you have no idea what he is talking about. And yet the people in the audience are nodding sagely, making notes and generally seem to understand what is being said. This is theology.
I look at it this way. If science disappeared from human memory, we would soon be living in caves again. If theology disappeared from human memory, no one would notice. Theology is a completely and utterly useless pursuit. It is self-indulgence of the first order. It grieves me that public money is spent on theological colleges while real education struggles to gain the funds it needs to maintain itself.
Where to Find Free Distance Learning Theology Degrees
Thanks to the benefits of distance learning, you don’t need to be in the same city as a school offering a theology degree. Even better, there are programs that offer free distance learning programs and courses, though some of them require a certain level of financial aid eligibility to be truly free.
Discovering Free Distance Learning Theology Programs
While it is nearly impossible to find an accredited seminary that offers 100 percent free degrees, there are accredited schools that offer free certificates or enough financial aid and tuition assistance opportunities to make their online BA or MA programs within reach of being free.
Dimensions of Faith
Dimensions of Faith by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary offers a free program that includes ten classes done at your own pace. It grants a student a certificate in theology upon completion. Subjects covered include world missions, New Testament, Old Testament, a two-part course on theology, and the History of the Church. There is no cost of any kind attached to the program, and it is completed online through the Ockenga Institute. Students who earn the certificate qualify for a $1000 scholarship to enroll full-time in the seminary.
Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies
The Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies by Liberty University Online provides an overview of theology and apologetics. It is done at your own pace, but the certificate must be completed within three years. Without financial aid, the total cost of this 12-hour certificate would be about $5,000. However, if your EFC on the FAFSA qualifies you for federal grants (which can be as high as $6,195 for the 2019-2020 year), you can cover the cost. If you are a Virginia resident it’s even easier to have this tuition paid by financial aid.
NotreDameX Theology Courses
NotreDameX offers free theology courses online including Introduction to the Quran: The Scripture of Islam and Jesus in Scripture and Tradition. Each course takes about nine weeks to complete with five to seven hours of work a week. At the end of each course you can receive a Certificate of completion verified by Notre Dame (but with a handling fee of $50 to obtain the Certificate).
Dallas Theological Seminary Theology Courses
Dallas Theological Seminary on iTunesU offers 26 free theology-focused or theology-related courses such as Expository Preaching, Trinitarianism, and Intro to Theology. Each course has about 60 to 80 short lectures ranging from 10 to 20 minutes each, and you can complete them at your own pace.
St. Paul Center Online Courses
St. Paul Center provides an archive of free online courses. The aim of these theology courses is to provide a big picture overview of the major events and themes of the Bible. You must create an account to access the courses, but the registration is free. You can work through them at your own pace.
Saint Leo University Theology Degrees
Saint Leo University is not free unless you can use a combination of federal financial aid such as the Pell grant and state aid for Florida residents to cover tuition. If you are a Florida resident or if you know you will have a very low EFC on the FAFSA, your odds of covering the cost with aid are better. The school offers an online BA degree in Religion (120-hour program) and an MA in Theology, which is a 36-hour program. Besides the Florida-based EASE state grant, the school participates in all federal aid provided through the FAFSA, and its innovative SALT program partners with you to find creative financial strategies to cover school costs.
Esoteric Theology Ministry
A unique Internet seminary, this site offers over 600 courses for free to students who pay a one-time fee of $600. They offer Doctor of Divinity, Doctor of Theology, and Doctor of Ministry degrees. If you are not already an ordained minister, you may become one for free through the program; however you must be ordained clergy of some level to enter the program. While the program is not accredited as an online institute by any formal accrediting body, the site is one of the more popular on the web for ministry education.
Convenience That’s Hard to Beat
Even if you’re having trouble finding a degree or learning opportunity that is entirely free for theology, remember that many online programs are already more affordable than a local college. Instead of worrying about traveling to campus or renting a room in an on-campus dormitory, you can learn in the comfort of your home.
Careers in Theology
Theology is rewarding to study, but many are justifiably concerned with the career options offered by a degree in theology. Fortunately, theology teaches a number of valuable skills that help to make students of theology competitive in a number of careers, both religious and secular.
International students studying theology have many options upon graduation. Theology involves the study of metaphysical, religious, and philosophical issues, and the skills that these studies help develop qualifies students of theology for a number of possible careers.
Skills
While the study of religion is intrinsically valuable, theology also teaches skills that are valuable across a range of professions. Theology courses teach critical thinking, writing, abstract reasoning, and logical analysis skills that are relevant for jobs that value adaptability and creativity.
While these tests are often necessary for pursuing advanced degrees, the performance of theology majors may be taken as an indicator of the skills that theology teaches. These skills are useful whether you want to pursue further study or find a job upon graduation.
Religious Jobs
The most obvious choice for the student of theology is to pursue a job in theology. A background in theology can open doors for those who want to become:
- Ministers
- Priests
- Missionaries
- Theology or religion professors
- Clergy member
- Teacher at a religious school
In the course of studying theology, students will not only achieve the skills and degree often required for such positions, they will also make valuable connections. Professors of theology are often well-connected to religious institutions and are able to provide the advice and contacts that can open the door to jobs in theology. It is important to note that many of the careers in theology listed above require additional, advanced study in theology.
Secular Jobs
Of course, the careers open to the student of theology are not limited to religious ones. Theology can also provide excellent opportunities for students who want to pursue secular work. Here are just some of the careers that theology and religious studies students might pursue:
- Teachers
- Social workers
- Ethicists
- Non-profit workers
- Counselors
- Journalists
- Writers
- Historians
All of these careers require the sort of writing, critical analysis, and/or compassion that theology can teach.
International Jobs
International students or students interested in going abroad may find that jobs in theology are especially useful for finding work internationally. Whether you want to work as a professor, run your own congregation, or work as a missionary, each of the these jobs offers the chance for unique and meaningful international work.
International students who major in theology are also well-prepared for secular international jobs. A background in theology or religious studies can help students who want to pursue a career as:
- Archaeologists
- Anthropologists
- Non-governmental organization workers
- Humanitarian workers
- International social workers
- Diplomats
Graduate Studies in Theology
Of course, many of these careers require further specialized graduate study. Here too, however, a theology degree is an asset. Because of the critical thinking and logical reasoning skills cultivated by the field, theology majors tend to do better than most majors on the GRE and LSAT. For students planning graduate study in any number of areas, the reading, writing, and reasoning skills that a theology degree teaches are a good general background for further specialized study such as sociology, anthropology, public administration, and international relations.
Whether you plan further graduate studies, a career in religious studies or theology, or entering the conventional job market after college, a degree in theology can be a great asset. These practical benefits are accompanied by the great intrinsic value that comes with studying important and interesting issues.
If you are an international student planning for possible careers in theology or are looking for more secular work, theology is a field of study can brings with it both intrinsic and practical benefits. The study of theology is not just for priests and theologians. Anybody interested in careers that require creative and critical thinking can benefit!
The Theology (Online)programme is a flexible, blended part-time, and full time distance, online, programme which offers a range of course options and qualification outcomes.
It warmly welcomes applicants interested in theology, including those who wish to undertake vocational studies relevant to church ministry and convocation.
There are various modes of study available on the Theology (Online) programme. For students taking the Certificate, Diploma or BTh degree programmes, part-time study typically means earning 60 credits per year, while full-time study means taking 120 credits per year.
ISS – Individual Study (Programme Code: TBC)
If you are looking to take various modules, more for interest rather than an immediate programme pathway, then ISS is a perfect option. There are no prerequisites or compulsory subject areas.
Certificate in Theology
(120 credits; Full Time, one year; Part Time, two years)
(Programme Code: 14V891R1)
For a Certificate in Theology, students are required to take 120 credits (eight courses) which may be chosen from a selection of fifteen credit Level 1 distance learning courses offered as part of the Theology (Online) programme. A minimum of 90 credits at Level 1 is required for the Certificate.
Diploma in Theology
(240 credits; Full Time, two years; Part Time, four years)
(Programme Code: 14V892R2)
For a Diploma in Theology, students are required to take 240 credits (sixteen courses) A minimum of 210 credits at Levels 1 and 2, with at least 120 credits at Level 2, are required for the Diploma.
A certificate provides an opportunity for individuals to focus on meaningful education in a specialized area of study. It is also a method for students to study subjects outside of their concentration or to show advanced competency.
You may be wondering, what is a certificate in theology? The certificate enables individuals to demonstrate proficiency in a theological discipline and meet standards for an intellectual dimension of faith formation. The program length is between one and two years, although some universities allow up to three years to complete the required final courses. Many students who earn a certificate further their education by obtaining a degree in ministry.
The benefits of acquiring a certificate in theology include providing students with a component in preparation for ministry, a fundamental knowledge of theology for personal interest, or preparation for further study. It also provides a competitive edge for individuals who wish to prepare for service in new ministries.
Fees vary depending on the institution and length of the program. Interested individuals should research program costs thoroughly before enrolling to ensure that it meets their financial and educational goals.
Earning a certificate in theology enables individuals to act as advocates for religion, spreading the word wherever they go. Individuals may serve as a missionaries, educators, scholars, or religious leaders. Employment may be found in elementary and secondary schools, faith-based organizations, general medical and surgical hospitals, home health care services, colleges, or professional schools. These institutions need dedicated professionals to run departments, counsel patients and clients, and assist people with matters regarding spirituality and religion.
Online programs are available to individuals worldwide. Internet-based courses are ideal for students requiring flexibility or with little access to a learning facility. To get started with a course, search for your program below and contact directly the admission office of the school of your choice by filling in the lead form.
Certificate in Intercultural Studies and Theology (1 year program)
Cornerstone Bible College for Mission TrainingBeugen, NetherlandsThe Cornerstone one year program, provides training for students who prepare for cross-cultural support ministries, short-term cross-cultural ministry and for those who for other reasons have limited time for training.
Certificate in Theological Studies
Wycliffe CollegeToronto, CanadaIf your schedule is already packed, but you still want to deepen your knowledge of your faith, this certificate is our shortest and most cost-effective way. Enjoy the benefits of the MTS program, but with reduced time investment.
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