THE BEST ONLINE BIBLE COLLEGES
In a world where alarming headlines are an everyday reality, there is a growing need for clergy, counselors and others who can restore calm, encourage hope and bring people together to strengthen their faith. Bible colleges are designed to help students achieve a deeper understanding of theology and pursue vocations that allow them to serve through ministry, community outreach or missions. The focus on religious studies without the distractions and demands of a more traditional university puts students on a fast track to an online degree in Biblical Studies or Ministry.The best online programs for earning a bachelor’s or associate’s degree from a bible college are listed below. Snapshots of each college include an overview of academic strengths, learning goals and statistics. Several of the colleges offer a combination of distance learning classes with classroom instruction, while others offer all online programs.
Accredited Online Degree Programs
Distance learners are offered three online Bible study options at Bethesda. The bachelor of arts (BA) in religion prepares graduates for either graduate school or professional ministry. Students must choose one of three concentrations: biblical study, pastoral ministry, or Christian education. The online master of arts (MA) in biblical studies is targeted to students who desire a greater knowledge of the Bible but do not aspire to become pastors. This program does have a field experience component. Finally, the master of divinity (MDiv) online program is targeted towards aspiring pastors or missionaries. While classes are conducted online, the MDiv program contains significant field experience requirements.
Students at the Graceland campus may choose from 20 degree programs at the bachelor’s or master’s degree levels, all of which are focused on teaching, worship, music, missions, or ministry. BCF also offers small classes at three satellite locations. BCF’s online program makes each of these degrees available through distance education; campus-based students may opt for any Bible college online course, and students in eligible states can earn their degree entirely online. Study is generally asynchronous, and classes are delivered via the MyBCF learning management system.
Based in Longview, Texas, LeTourneau is devoted to providing educational options to students who hold full-time jobs. This Christ-centered private school is fully accredited, and offers a wide range of online Bible college classes and degree programs. Among them, its online bachelor’s programs in biblical studies are convenient options for future ministers.
LeTourneau’s multi-denominational faculty lead students on a journey through the historical, cultural, and geographical developments of the Bible. Depending on their post-collegiate goals, students can choose to pursue a BA or a BS degree in three disciplines: Christian ministry, theological study, or scripture and theology. These programs equip graduates for further study in seminary or graduate school, or employment in ministry leadership. Online study at LeTourneau is delivered via the Canvas learning management system. Classes are delivered in accelerated five-week blocks, and study is asynchronous. All classes are entirely online, but some programs do have on-site field experience requirements that students are required to arrange at an approved location.
Roughly 1,000 students attend class on the wooded Pennsylvania campus of Clarks Summit U, enjoying a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1. This private Baptist college brings a biblical approach to all of its academic offerings, whether at the undergraduate, graduate, or seminary level. Distance learners at CSU have several options, and can enjoy the benefits of a small college from anywhere in the world.
Students in pursuit of a Christ-centered education can earn a general associate of arts (AA), bachelor of integrated studies (BIS), or master of science (MS) in counseling entirely online. Seminary students may choose from online and blended study options that lead to master’s degrees. Other students who have completed an associate degree or its equivalent may opt for an online degree completion program that is customizable to the student’s interests. Others may be interested in the accelerated online certificate in Bible study that can be completed in one year. Distance education at this accredited online Bible college is delivered via Moodle, and classes are taught in eight-week sessions. Online students can begin classes at five points during the calendar year. Study is largely asynchronous, though some courses do require attendance at a one week-long session on campus.
Since its beginnings in 1984, VBC has been dedicated to helping adult learners prepare for a life of service and ministry. Today it offers degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level to students at its Fredericksburg campus and online. Each of these programs is focused on the task of equipping Christian churches with spiritually mature and Christ-like leaders.
Undergraduates may study ministry and Christian education at the associate or bachelor’s degree level; a one-year Bible study certificate is also on offer. Graduate students may choose from programs in ministry, Biblical study or Christian education. All of these options are available to distance learners. Campus-based classes at VBC are recorded and immediately made available to online Bible study students. Distance learners have one week to complete class assignments.
An institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music, TFC is an affiliate of the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination. The school is well regarded among Bible colleges and is known for its academic rigor, affordability, and distance education offerings. More than 1,200 students attend TCF, all of whom are awarded a scholarship based on prior academic performance.
Twelve Bible college online degree programs are available, each one preparing graduates for pastoral service or a related field such as business administration or counseling psychology. One-year certificate programs, two-year associate degrees, and two-year bachelor’s completion degrees are on offer for these students. Online classes at TCF are delivered in eight-week sessions. All students at TCF, including online, must meet a four-semester service requirement prior to graduation. Distance learners are invited to attend campus worship, athletics, and social events at any time.
Luther Rice University & Seminary is named after a legendary Baptist missionary, preacher, and advocate for Christian education. The private evangelical school continues his life’s work by educating the next generation of spiritual leaders. All program curricula are built on the teachings, mandates, and principles of scripture, which students are encouraged to approach critically.
Traditional classes are taught at the home campus in the Atlanta suburbs, but the majority of LRUS’ 1,200 students attend classes online. Via LRUS Global Online, undergraduates can earn a bachelor’s degree in biblical counseling, Christian worldview, or ministry entirely online. For postgraduates, online master’s degrees are presented in programs that can be completed in 18 to 24 months; study in apologetics, biblical counseling, leadership, ministry, and Christian studies is available. Divinity students may earn a master’s or doctoral degree online; these programs, however, do require attendance on campus at four one-week seminars. LRUS delivers its online Bible college study with Blackboard, scheduling classes in three consecutive eight-week sessions per term. All study is asynchronous.
Moody Bible Institute is an extensively accredited large private school in urban Chicago. Founded on a doctrine of strict orthodoxy, Moody has been serving the evangelical community since the late 19th century. Today, it seeks to prepare its students for the practical application of scripture in every academic discipline; to that end, its students are required to study the Bible more than any textbook.
Online Bible college students have abundant opportunities at Moody. Students can pursue degrees online via asynchronous study in eight-week sessions or 16-week self-paced courses; modular courses that blend asynchronous study with a week-long campus-based seminar are also available. Other alternative formats include correspondence courses and a First Year Online program. Any of these options can lead to associate or bachelor’s degrees in biblical studies, theology, ministry leadership, or biblical exposition.
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