Best Online Bachelor’s in Ministry Programs
Individuals who complete an online ministry degree open themselves up to several career paths, including options in churches, nonprofits, and in international mission work. Completing an online ministry degree allows students the flexibility to continue making a difference in their communities while going to school, rather than devoting all their time to education.
Many distance students decide to take part in opportunities for leading children’s ministries or organizing homeless outreach, and virtual education frees up their time to do so. Rather than driving to campus at set times multiple days per week, students enrolled online can complete assignments, interact with peers, and watch prerecorded lectures whenever best fits their schedules.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 50,000 Americans currently work as clergy, but graduates of online ministry degree paths also fill many roles outside church leadership, making this a stable industry to pursue. Upon graduating, some individuals seek roles inside the church as music ministers or youth pastors, while others may want to work in faith–based organizations, finding families for foster children or reducing the number of individuals living in poverty. Keep reading to learn more about this exciting degree option.
Featured Ministry Online Programs
The Best Online Ministry Programs
Lincoln Christian University
Lincoln, IL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,590
- Out-of-state$13,590
- In-State$8,154
- Out-of-state$8,154
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled672
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Asbury University
- Wilmore, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,654
- Out-of-state$30,654
- In-State$9,990
- Out-of-state$9,990
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled1,940
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Trevecca Nazarene University
- Nashville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$25,198
- Out-of-state$25,198
- In-State$9,917
- Out-of-state$9,917
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled4,088
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern University
- Saint Davids, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$33,304
- Out-of-state$33,304
- In-State$13,050
- Out-of-state$13,050
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate61%
- Students Enrolled3,100
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Biola University
- La Mirada, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$41,976
- Out-of-state$41,976
- In-State$11,394
- Out-of-state$11,394
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled6,103
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment36%
- AccreditationYes
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
- Mount Vernon, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$21,047
- Out-of-state$21,047
- In-State$8,964
- Out-of-state$8,964
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled2,205
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
Bethel University
- Saint Paul, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$38,300
- Out-of-state$38,300
- In-State$11,700
- Out-of-state$11,700
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled4,005
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
Warner University
- Lake Wales, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$22,300
- Out-of-state$22,300
- In-State$5,328
- Out-of-state$5,328
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate41%
- Students Enrolled1,058
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment61%
- AccreditationYes
Southeastern University
- Lakeland, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$25,620
- Out-of-state$25,620
- In-State$12,810
- Out-of-state$12,810
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate48%
- Students Enrolled9,894
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
Lee University
- Cleveland, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$18,120
- Out-of-state$18,120
- In-State$13,590
- Out-of-state$13,590
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled5,189
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment14%
- AccreditationYes
Missouri Baptist University
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$26,860
- Out-of-state$26,860
- In-State$10,197
- Out-of-state$10,197
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate61%
- Students Enrolled5,309
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
Brescia University
- Owensboro, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$22,900
- Out-of-state$22,900
- In-State$550
- Out-of-state$550
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate42%
- Students Enrolled1,014
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Point University
- West Point, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$20,085
- Out-of-state$20,085
- In-State$12,360
- Out-of-state$12,360
- Retention Rate63%
- Acceptance Rate29%
- Students Enrolled2,389
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
The King's University
- Southlake, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,280
- Out-of-state$11,280
- In-State$8,820
- Out-of-state$8,820
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled610
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment61%
- AccreditationYes
Saint Louis Christian College
- Florissant, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,680
- Out-of-state$13,680
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate33%
- Acceptance Rate38%
- Students Enrolled79
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
San Diego Christian College
- Santee, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$23,030
- Out-of-state$23,030
- In-State$10,260
- Out-of-state$10,260
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled551
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment83%
- AccreditationYes
Cornerstone University
- Grand Rapids, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$25,360
- Out-of-state$25,360
- In-State$13,680
- Out-of-state$13,680
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled1,998
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Welch College
- Gallatin, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$19,582
- Out-of-state$19,582
- In-State$8,100
- Out-of-state$8,100
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled426
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
California Baptist University
- Riverside, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$32,942
- Out-of-state$32,942
- In-State$12,830
- Out-of-state$12,830
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled11,045
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Great Lakes Christian College
- Lansing, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,750
- Out-of-state$15,750
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled171
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment14%
- AccreditationYes
Methodology
We selected these accredited bachelor in ministry programs based on the quality of the program, types of courses provided, faculty strength, school awards, rankings and reputation, including the reputation for providing online degree programs.
Why get a Ministry Degree?
Before pursuing an online bachelor’s in ministry degree, some students decide to pursue an associate degree in ministry to get a sense of the field. Because many roles within church settings do not mandate specific levels of degree — they focus more on receiving a calling from God — some students find they do not need a bachelor’s degree.
Individuals can receive ordination in some denominations after completing an associate degree, while those who want to work outside the church typically need to follow more traditional standards surrounding educational requirements. Bachelor’s degrees allow individuals to seek positions including program manager, director of children’s development, and community organizer.
Some students decide to go beyond a bachelor’s degree in ministry and pursue a master’s in ministry. These programs allow individuals to work in higher education teaching roles as well as senior–level positions. The next section looks at common careers and the salaries that graduates can expect to earn.
Ministry Degree Salary Information
Online ministry programs prepare graduates for clergy positions, such as priests, ministers, and pastors. Graduates also go on to pursue careers as church directors, youth leaders, missionaries, and religion and Bible study teachers in churches, faith–based schools, or nonprofit organizations.
- Pastor
- Pastors and ministers lead church congregations by providing spiritual direction, giving sermons, overseeing other staff, praying with church members, teaching others about biblical history, and offering leadership.
- Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $40,000
- Mid-Career: $46,000
- Experienced: $50,000
- Late Career: $51,000
- Youth Minister
- Youth ministers provide many of the same services as pastors but tailor them to teenagers and adolescents. These compassionate individuals walk alongside youth group members and provide guidance on tough questions as well as organize fun group outings.
- Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $33,000
- Mid-Career: $37,000
- Experienced: $39,000
- Late Career: $30,000
- Children’s Ministry Director
- Working within church settings, children’s ministers share the gospel with nursery through elementary students. They create programming, develop Sunday school curriculum, oversee other staff, and create special events.
- Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $31,000
- Mid-Career: $36,000
- Experienced: $39,000
- Late Career:
Choosing an Online Ministry Degree Program
With so many online ministry degree paths now available, prospective students can afford to take their time and find a program that ticks all their boxes. While in–state programs tend to offer distance students the more affordable option since they can take advantage of resident tuition, they can also look at programs with significant endowments that offer enough scholarship or grant funding to bring the cost down. All ministry programs put their best foot forward on website marketing materials, but remember to keep going back to your list of needs and wants to find the program that suits your lifestyle and goals.
- Program Cost
- Students need to consider all their options before taking on significant student debt. In addition to federal, state, and local scholarships and grants, prospective students should ask about institutional and programmatic funding that does not need repayment.
- Transfer Policies
- Because many students elect to complete at least some of their classes at a community college before transferring to a four–year institution, finding schools that maintain transfer agreements or offer transfer–friendly policies is critical.
- School Size and Type
- Some students enjoy the hubbub of large classrooms while others want a more intimate learning experience. Generally, speaking, public/state schools tend to maintain higher caps for class sizes than private school counterparts, but this is not always the case. Check with individual schools to learn about average class sizes.
- Program Length
- Most online ministry programs at the bachelor’s level require students to complete four years of full–time study to move from matriculation to graduation. Some accelerated programs can be finished in as few as three years, while those enrolled on a part–time basis may need as many as six years.
- On–Campus Requirements
- Most online ministry programs do not mandate that students visit campus, but students should speak with individual departments to verify any on–campus requirements.
Accreditation for Online Ministry Degrees
In addition to considering factors such as program cost, length, and campus requirements, students must also ensure they find a properly accredited program if they do not want to face issues down the road related to transferring credits, competing for jobs, or receiving licensure. Within the world of higher academia, two types of accreditation exist: institutional and programmatic.
Institutional accreditation further divides into regional and national accreditation. Most four–year schools seek out regional accreditation, as it exists as the more rigorous of the two options. Trade and vocational schools tend to apply for national accreditation.
While programmatic accreditation does not necessarily exist for online ministry degree paths, several Christian accrediting agencies exist to help students find programs that meet their spiritual and academic needs. Names to look for include the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, the Association for Biblical Higher Education, and the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.
Other names students will likely come across include the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Neither provides accreditation, but both ensure high standards are upheld within accrediting agencies.
Ministry Concentrations
Because online ministry degree paths offer such a wide variety of careers to consider after graduating, many schools allow students to specialize their knowledge in an area by completing a concentration. Some options are listed below, but check with individual schools about specific offerings.
- Youth Ministry
- Students in these concentrations learn how to effectively conduct outreach and provide pastoral counseling for teenagers as they move through high school and take their first steps as adults. Specific topics include adolescent issues, adolescent faith formation, and administration in youth ministry.
- Careers this concentration prepares for:
- Youth Ministry Director
- Youth Ministry Assistant
- Youth Outreach Manager
- Ministry Leadership
- This concentration exists for individuals who know they want to take on pastoral roles upon graduating. Students learn how to prepare evangelistic messages, exegete Bible verses, and minister to a diverse congregation.
- Careers this concentration prepares for:
- Lead Pastor/Minister
- Assistant Pastor
- Director of Spiritual Formation
- Pastoral Counseling Director
- Missions
- Designed for the distance learner who knows they want to go out in the world and spread biblical messages, this course teaches them how to reach out to diverse communities, plant churches, maintain cultural sensitivity, and work to bring light and support to communities.
- Careers this concentration prepares for:
- Missionary
- Church Planter
- Biblical Counseling
- Students who follow these concentrations know they want to serve others by providing counseling services from a biblical perspective. They learn about how the Bible can apply to modern day life while also studying topics such as therapeutic strategies, counseling methods, and interventions.
- Careers this concentration prepares for:
- Pastoral Counselor
- Church Counselor
- Director of Counseling Programs
- Music Ministry
- Individuals in this concentration want to work in worship music. During their enrollment, students develop their musicianship while also learning about worship leadership and how to convey biblical principles through music.
- Careers this concentration prepares for:
- Worship Leader
- Music Minister
- Director of Music Programs
- Choir Director
How Long Does It Take to Get a Degree in Ministry?
Most programs require between 120–130 credits and take four years to finish if studying on a full–time basis. Some of the characteristics affecting the overall time requirement include number of credits, internship requirements, and student schedules.
Individuals who want to graduate more quickly may decide to take additional credits during the fall and spring semesters or enroll in summer courses. Others may decide they want to move through the program more slowly and not feel stressed by school work alongside all their other personal and professional responsibilities. If enrolled on a part–time basis, the actual credits still cost the same amount, but students will pay more in semester–based fees due to being in school for a longer amount of time.
Courses in an Online Bachelor’s in Ministry Program
Most online ministry degrees require 120–128 credits, consisting of general education courses, Bible and theology coursework, and electives. Core classes include ministry leadership, congregational dynamics, Old and New Testament studies, history of the church, systematic theology, church life, spiritual formation, and world missions. Many online ministry programs culminate with a capstone course, ministry internship, or practicum in which students gain hands–on experience in churches and other religious settings.
- Survey of Old and New Testament
- Students in survey classes examine the historical background, translations, and key themes of the Old and New Testaments. Coursework covers the development of the Gospels and the nature of the intertestamental period. Online students learn to prepare sermons from both texts and practice sermon delivery through preaching experience.
- Christian and Pastoral Ethics
- Christian and pastoral ethics courses examine the contemporary and historic development of Christian values. These courses help students learn how to think critically and make wise and faith–driven choices as a representative of Jesus Christ. By examining case studies and traditional ethical codes in religious settings, students gain a solid understanding of the foundations of Christian ethics and the relationship between values and contemporary issues.
- Leadership
- Leadership classes help students develop strong leadership qualities and administrative competencies. These courses emphasize the importance of communication, interpersonal abilities, and teamwork. Students examine training, organization, supervision, program evaluation, and financial management within the church, Christian workplace, and other religious–based settings.
- Biblical Studies and Interpretations
- Biblical studies and interpretation courses examine the historical, cultural, and literary contexts of the Bible. Focusing on the methods and principles of biblical interpretation, students examine the structure, content, key themes, and messages of the books of the Bible. Online students examine the important relationship between the church’s scriptures.
- Religions and Cultures
- These courses examine the world’s major religions including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Online students examine various cultures and how they influence the mission and growth of the Christian church. Students reflect on their own cultural worship and the effect of religious participation and spirituality on society.
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