Do you have an interest in studying the Bible and building a career in ministry? Earn the best online bachelor’s in bible studies!
If you feel called to spread the word of God, but know you need to gain confidence in teaching it to others, earning your bachelor’s degree in bible studies will get you there. This degree program typically uses a Christian worldview approach to understand different books of the Bible and key principles within the church.
What is a Biblical Studies Degree?
An online bachelor’s degree in biblical studies is a four-year degree program providing students with professional and spiritual training for ministry at the college level. This degree program will help students gain a firm understanding of biblical contexts, theology, and best practices of ministry.
Throughout this undergraduate study, the curriculum involves topics relating to Christian history, ministry leadership, and various books of the Bible. Typically, students who complete their bachelor’s in bible studies end up with positions at the local church; however, this degree can be used in any evangelical work setting.
How Much Can You Earn With an Online Bachelor’s?
Keep in mind that there are several career options you can choose from once you complete your online bachelor’s degree in biblical studies. There’s always potential to work within ministry or at the local church, but graduates of this degree can also work within any business or organization that embraces spiritual principles. Non-profit organizations are another common workplace for graduates of this program.
According to PayScale, individuals who hold a BA in biblical studies make an average salary of $48,000.
Here are some examples of salary positions held by biblical studies graduates:
- Youth Pastor: $38,000
- Senior Pastor: $58,000
- Associate Pastor: $44,000
- Minister: $48,000
If price is a major obstacle for you, check out the Most Affordable Online Biblical Studies Degrees.
What is Required for an Online Degree?
Like most bachelor programs, students are typically required to complete 120 credit hours to earn their undergraduate degree in bible studies. During the application process, most institutions will require a high school diploma or GED equivalent, along with standardized test scores.
Once you begin your undergraduate studies, your coursework will involve topics relating to the Bible, apologetics, and systematic theology. Some programs may allow you to specialize in a certain area of focus like Christian counseling, Christian education, or youth ministries. Students may have to complete a senior seminar, practicum, or capstone course depending on the institution.
Bible Studies programs may also cover ancient history, comparative literature, or other humanities topics. If these classes interest you, consider a bachelor’s degree in humanities.
What are the Best Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies Degrees?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program-specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.