The vast majority of the world’s population believes in one religion or another. It is a powerful force and its study is essential for anyone who wants to understand the world in which we live.

On an online theology degree course, students will get a very good idea of how, and why, people feel inspired to behave in the name of a higher being. It’s an ideal program for anyone interested in learning more about religion, or who are committed to their faith. They will study in depth the belief systems, texts, practices, histories, and cultures that have emerged from the great religious traditions. Ultimately they will develop an informed understanding of the core issues at the heart of theology, and at the same time learn valuable transferable skills that can lead to jobs or further postgraduate study. It’s a very wide ranging flexible subject, with a rich variety of modules, and one which offers those who enroll on it the opportunity to engage in serious and exciting explorations.

Online theology degree overview

As everything is taught through a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), there is no need for students to physically attend lectures.

Subject material is put together and classes are given by people who are experts in their respective field. These tutors will help you to think, discuss and engage critically with the subject material, and will also teach you how to find things out for yourself. They will give you the support you need to successfully pass modules, and will always be there for debating topics with, or having question-and-answer sessions.

Apart from having to take a certain number of core modules (which will focus on many of the ideas, movements and traditions shaping theology), you can also explore in depth additional topics of your choice which are of special interest to you.

Distance learning degrees have two great advantages over similar campus based courses, firstly they allow students to do the course from wherever they are, and secondly, fees tend to be very reasonable, with many universities having flexible payment plans as well.

Web based learning is not easy. Students must be organised and self motivated, as self study tutorials and group sessions require advance preparation and active student participation at all levels.

Typical modules and subjects that can be taught on an online theology degree course

  • Apologetics
  • Biblical Studies
  • Christianity
  • Church History
  • Contemporary Spiritualities
  • Dead Sea Scrolls
  • Death, Ritual and Belief
  • Divinity
  • Epistemology
  • Emotion, Religion and Identity
  • Evangelical Missions
  • Existence
  • Feminism and Theology
  • Global Christianity
  • God, Freedom and the Soul
  • Hermeneutics
  • Introduction to Theology
  • Introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls
  • Interreligious Relations
  • Introduction to Islam
  • Introduction to Judaism
  • Metaphysics
  • Morality
  • Moral Theory
  • Nature of Thought
  • New Testament
  • Old Testament
  • Philosophy of Religion
  • Philosophy of Mind
  • Political Philosophy
  • Preaching
  • Prophets and Prophecy
  • Religion in the Modern World
  • Science and Theology
  • Sermon Preparation
  • Semitic Languages
  • Theology Leadership
  • Theology, Gender, Race and Class
  • Theological Ethics
  • The Psalms

Students will learn how to

  • Carry out theological research.
  • Evaluate claims and arguments.

Students will learn about

  • The World’s major religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism).
  • Classical languages like Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit.
  • Ancient and contemporary philosophers.
  • Interreligious relations by exploring the changing forms of religion today.
  • How to develop key soft skills and attributes that are valued by employers.

About this page
This is a resource page that will give you useful information about what you can expect to learn on an accredited online theology degree course. It also lists links to a selection of popular and relevant online degrees that are run by established US and UK universities. We have focused on these two countries because at present most English language online courses are run by academic institutions based in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Through the links on this page you will find out about the:
Admission requirements
Course costs
Course length
Enrolment dates
Financial aid available to students
Modules

 

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