People that want to pursue a living incorporating their religion into a career can find opportunities in distance learning programs. Becoming an active leader inside churches and communities can be pursued through training programs online. Students can enter multiple degree options offered by one of many online colleges and universities that provide theology programs.
Theology degree programs online are designed to give students a full academic background in preparation for a life long career founded on their beliefs. Study provides the required elements of theological and biblical knowledge to enter a career. Working in clergy is a prominent career, which has individuals participating as religious leaders for different faiths. The roles consist of:
- Teaching Parishioners
- Leading Worship
- Directing Religious Actions
- Providing Practical Biblical Advice
Online learning can also provide many opportunities for students to become post-secondary teachers and religious educators. In this type of role trained individuals teach and publish original work based on their area of expertise. Religious educators focus using their knowledge gained online to teach individuals about a specific faith to meet the requirements of students inside a church or college. These are just a few options available to dedicated students who enter schooling online in theology.
Students can earn an associate's degree to a doctorate degree in theology from a number of online schools. Associate's and bachelor's degree programs are useful for students who want to work within their church community. Graduate degrees online train students to become religious leaders and researchers. Online study can be achieved in a number of different religions making it a useful degree for all types of religious affiliations.
A theology degree program prepares students by focusing education on history, sociology, and civics.
- An associate's degree requires approximately 70 credit hours to be completed before graduation. Some online associate's degrees could have students completing a 15 week or semester long field experience. This is where students work within a specific area of a church like youth ministry.
- The next step in education would be gaining a bachelor's degree. In a four-year degree program online students are required to complete 120 credit hours.
- Both levels of education require students to study general education and a variety of religious courses.
Religious courses may include subjects on adolescent development and faith formation. Youth leader and director positions are some available careers students can enter upon graduation or they can choose to continue education at the graduate level.
Master's degree programs usually require students to complete around 36 online credit hours. Courses contain more in depth subjects like bible exposition and systematic theology. Many students that enter this type of degree already work with their churches and want to gain pastoral direction or have a desire to enter an online PhD degree program. PhD degrees teach students how to use their biblical knowledge to teach or conduct academic research. Curriculum may cover topics like social injustice, belief, violence, and religion. Graduate degree holders have the most opportunities to advance in this career field.
Online education in theology makes it possible for students to pursue a specific career based on their religion. By choosing an accredited educational program students can gain a quality education. The Distance Education and Training Council ( www.detc.org ) and other agencies are approved to fully accredit various programs. Enter a program that is dedicated to assisting students fulfill their goals in the church by searching out a degree program.
DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.
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Renata McGee is a staff writer for PETAP.org. Locate Online Theology Schools and Colleges providing the education you're looking for at PETAP.org, your Partners in Education and Tuition Assistance Programs.
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