The study of theology involves acquiring deep knowledge about specific religions and the global history and nature of religions in general. This knowledge can be applied to leadership positions in the church, evangelical missions, ministry, and a host of other pursuits. A theology degree can help launch a career in pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, or theological research. Theology is a broad field of study, and the types of classes students take vary significantly, depending on what religion they are interested in and the subjects of their theses. Many theology degrees concern Christianity, and will involve classes about Biblical exegesis, sermon writing, history, and classical languages like Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit, in which the earliest known religious documents were first written. Theology, as a scholarly discipline, is deeply entwined with philosophy, which means, broadly, the study of knowledge itself.
Studying theology offers the twofold rewards of allowing students to study the faith they are passionate about while making them qualified to earn money in a job related to their faith. The median income for clergy is above the overall national median income in the United States, and the top 10% of clergy earn nearly double the national median. Students who are committed to their faith, and want to be able to have nuanced discussions and share their beliefs, will learn and grow in a theological degree program.
Earning a Degree Online
Even at the undergraduate level, many prospective students are faced with a conflict between their work obligations and a typical college class schedule. Fortunately, a large number of universities offer online options for an online degree in religion or theology. While requirements differ from school to school, most online degree programs have the same admission requirements as a traditional programs.
Earning a religion or theology degree online gives students a level of flexibility not found in typical programs. Coursework can be completed from any location, as long as students have access to the internet; additionally, the freedom to complete coursework on their own schedule is a tremendous benefit to busy students who wouldn't otherwise be able to pursue a college degree.
