Online Master's Degrees > Best Online Master's Degree Programs in Religious Studies

ONLINE MASTER'S DEGREE INRELIGIOUS STUDIES

Table of Contents

TOP ONLINE SCHOOLS: MASTER'S IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Our Methodology and Sources

Methodology

To be included in the rankings, all colleges had to meet the following criteria:

Offer the particular graduate program online
Enroll full-time or part-time graduate students
Have at least 1 percent of their graduate students enrolled in distance education classes
Have awarded at least one graduate degree in any related subject between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016

Once we had our list of schools for each subject and degree level, we ranked them on four criteria:

Affordability, based on the in-state average tuition for full-time graduate students, National Center for Education Statistics, 2016
Flexibility, based on the percentage of graduate students enrolled in any distance education courses, National Center for Education Statistics, 2016
Program Prominence, The ratio of the number of students receiving master’s/doctoral degrees in that program to the total number of graduate students awarded a degree, National Center for Education Statistics, 2015-16
Related Degrees, based on the number of programs the school offers that are in this particular subject and similar subjects, National Center for Education Statistics, 2016

Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2016-17, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Article Sources

Master of Arts in Religion, Yale University, http://divinity.yale.edu/admissions/master-arts-religion

Online Comparative Religious Studies, Texas Wesleyan University, https://txwes.edu/academics/artsletters/religion-and-humanities/online-comparative-religious-studies/the-degree-program/

The Religious Studies Graduate Program at UCSB, University of California Santa Barbara, http://www.religion.ucsb.edu/graduate/

Master of Religious Education, Loyola University New Orleans, http://lim.loyno.edu/online/master-religious-education

Online Christian Studies Program, University of the Cumberlands, http://gradweb.ucumberlands.edu/religion/macs/overview

Accreditation, Hampton University, http://www.hamptonu.edu/global/accreditation.cfm; Accreditations and Affiliations, Moody Bible Institute, http://www.moody.edu/accreditations-affiliations/

Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Liberty University Online, http://www.liberty.edu/online/masters/divinity/

Our Accreditation Process and Status, Won Institute of Graduate Studies, http://www.woninstitute.edu/index.php?page=accreditation

Islamic Studies in M.A. Programs in Religious Studies, University of North Carolina, http://www.unc.edu/~cernst/maprograms.html

Title and Degree Programs, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, http://www.rrc.edu/academics/degrees-and-special-programs/title-and-degree-programs

Online Master of Arts in Christian Studies, Crown College, http://www.crown.edu/online-graduate-programs/christian-studies-ma/

Master of Arts in Ministry, Ohio Christian University, http://www.ohiochristian.edu/adult-graduate-studies/master-arts_/master-arts-ministry

Music Directors and Composers, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, accessed November 17, 2015, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/music-directors-and-composers.htm;

Instructional Coordinators, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, accessed November 17, 2015, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Education-Training-and-Library/Instructional-coordinators.htm

Clergy, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-01 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, accessed November 17, 2015, http://www.umsl.edu/services//govdocs/ooh20002001/245.htm

Occupational Information Network, accessed November 17, 2015: Clergy, http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-2011.00; Directors, Religious Activities and Education, http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-2021.00

Sort By ::

Rank	School	Tuition	% Grad Students in Online Courses	% Grad Degrees Conferred	Related Degrees
5.	Criswell College	Tuition$8,190	% Grad Students in Online Courses67.8%	% Grad Degrees Conferred23.81%	Related Degrees1
6.	Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary	Tuition$4,734	% Grad Students in Online Courses38.58%	% Grad Degrees Conferred12.35%	Related Degrees1
9.	Wayland Baptist University	Tuition$10,620	% Grad Students in Online Courses72.23%	% Grad Degrees Conferred3.38%	Related Degrees1
16.	Concordia University-Chicago	Tuition$14,328	% Grad Students in Online Courses71.81%	% Grad Degrees Conferred0.23%	Related Degrees1
20.	Starr King School for the Ministry	Tuition$21,150	% Grad Students in Online Courses93.9%	% Grad Degrees Conferred12.5%	Related Degrees1
4.	Liberty University	Tuition$8,051	% Grad Students in Online Courses96.34%	% Grad Degrees Conferred0.13%	Related Degrees1
7.	Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry	Tuition$11,976	% Grad Students in Online Courses100%	% Grad Degrees Conferred43.24%	Related Degrees1
13.	Epic Bible College	Tuition$14,362	% Grad Students in Online Courses71.43%	% Grad Degrees Conferred40%	Related Degrees1
15.	Nyack College	Tuition$10,350	% Grad Students in Online Courses28.54%	% Grad Degrees Conferred0.77%	Related Degrees1
17.	Cairn University-Langhorne	Tuition$11,790	% Grad Students in Online Courses42.95%	% Grad Degrees Conferred14.29%	Related Degrees1
18.	Valparaiso University	Tuition$11,070	% Grad Students in Online Courses26.43%	% Grad Degrees Conferred2.17%	Related Degrees1
24.	Spertus College	Tuition$18,000	% Grad Students in Online Courses3.08%	% Grad Degrees Conferred13.16%	Related Degrees1
25.	Marquette University	Tuition$19,350	% Grad Students in Online Courses3.76%	% Grad Degrees Conferred0.91%	Related Degrees1
27.	Harvard University	Tuition$43,296	% Grad Students in Online Courses13.58%	% Grad Degrees Conferred0.02%	Related Degrees1
1.	Graceland University-Lamoni	Tuition$9,079	% Grad Students in Online Courses99.87%	% Grad Degrees Conferred7.59%	Related Degrees2
2.	Crown College	Tuition$8,910	% Grad Students in Online Courses98.14%	% Grad Degrees Conferred34.15%	Related Degrees1
3.	Holy Apostles College and Seminary	Tuition$5,760	% Grad Students in Online Courses71.12%	% Grad Degrees Conferred16.85%	Related Degrees1
8.	Columbia International University	Tuition$9,540	% Grad Students in Online Courses61.41%	% Grad Degrees Conferred5.52%	Related Degrees1
10.	Wesley Biblical Seminary	Tuition$11,565	% Grad Students in Online Courses65.06%	% Grad Degrees Conferred40%	Related Degrees1
11.	Mount Vernon Nazarene University	Tuition$8,964	% Grad Students in Online Courses29.71%	% Grad Degrees Conferred8.15%	Related Degrees1
12.	Beulah Heights University	Tuition$9,720	% Grad Students in Online Courses30.77%	% Grad Degrees Conferred25.37%	Related Degrees1
14.	Gratz College	Tuition$16,452	% Grad Students in Online Courses100%	% Grad Degrees Conferred3.97%	Related Degrees1
19.	Chicago Theological Seminary	Tuition$17,520	% Grad Students in Online Courses62.8%	% Grad Degrees Conferred17.95%	Related Degrees1
21.	Claremont School of Theology	Tuition$19,375	% Grad Students in Online Courses54.99%	% Grad Degrees Conferred37.84%	Related Degrees1
22.	Antioch University-Midwest	Tuition$19,176	% Grad Students in Online Courses53.39%	% Grad Degrees Conferred5%	Related Degrees1
23.	Hebrew College	Tuition$28,305	% Grad Students in Online Courses51.74%	% Grad Degrees Conferred22.58%	Related Degrees1
26.	Fordham University	Tuition$32,160	% Grad Students in Online Courses10.33%	% Grad Degrees Conferred0.56%	Related Degrees1

MASTER'S IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES PROGRAM DETAILS

Two primary types of religious studies programs can be found at universities across the country. One is primarily comparative, taking into account a diverse array of sacred texts and traditions and looking at them side by side, and the other is structured as a deep exploration of a single religious tradition, typically focusing on building the practical skills and scriptural knowledge needed for individuals to join the ranks of leadership in their religious community.

Here's a short list of subjects that you might encounter when pursuing an online master's degree in comparative religious studies:

Native American religions
Religion and pop culture
Philosophy and spirituality
Great religious minds
Christian traditions
Buddhist teachings
Religion in the African diaspora
Global religion and film

Single-faith religious studies are often called by a title that more closely reflects the perspective from which the courses will be taught. These are just a few of the titles that may be given to an online master's degree in religious studies that focuses on a single tradition:

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Christian Studies
M.A. in Jewish Letters
M.A. or Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in Ministry
M.A. in Islamic Studies
M.Div. in Chaplaincy

The accreditation of religious studies degrees isn't quite as cut and dry as it may be in other disciplines. Some divinity programs may lack accreditation or be accredited by niche agencies unrecognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, so be sure to look into the requirements for transfer credits at the institution where you plan to complete your degree.

TOP CAREERS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Once you graduate with your religious studies degree, there may be a wider array of careers available to you than you expect. Here are a few that closely align with the subject matter covered during an online master's degree program in religious studies:

1. Music Director

Music directors work with churches, community religious groups and other faith-based agencies to select, arrange, orchestrate and conduct the musical programming performed in accompaniment to services. Taking courses in sacred music and spending elective credits on performance, music history and music theory classes may give candidates a leg up when pursuing a career as a music director.

Average Salary

$64,670

Projected Job Openings

7,800

Job Growth Potential

1.2%

2. Minister

Ministers and other members of the clergy serve as religious and spiritual leaders for their congregations, teaching and interpreting the traditions of their faith. Smaller congregations may have a single minister, or one senior clergy member and one junior, while larger organizations may have dozens of ministers and clergy on staff and divide the administrative and ministerial duties as best suits the experience and training of each.

Average Salary

$55,190

Projected Job Openings

27,500

Job Growth Potential

5.9%

3. Religious Education Coordinator

Religious education coordinators develop the curriculum and teaching standards for religious and faith-based education. They are often responsible for designing instructional material, meeting with teachers to assist in its implementation, observing and evaluating teachers' performance, and coordinating or conducting conferences and training workshops for teachers under their supervision. Certain institutions may offer an online master's degree in religious education for students aiming at this career, but adding some coursework in curriculum development and pedagogy to a regular religious studies degree can also help students prepare for this career.

Average Salary

$50,490

Projected Job Openings

20,900

Job Growth Potential

4.6%

RELIGIOUS STUDIES SALARIES BY STATE

Average Salary for Religious Studies

Average Annual Job Openings

Hourly Mean Wage

TOP

ONLINE MASTER'S DEGREE INRELIGIOUS STUDIES

GETTING A MASTER’S IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

TOP ONLINE SCHOOLS: MASTER'S IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

MASTER'S IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES PROGRAM DETAILS

TOP CAREERS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

RELIGIOUS STUDIES SALARIES BY STATE