Online Associate in Theology Degree Guide

Many people want to pursue a career in ministry, teach Sunday school more effectively, or simply develop their personal theology. Unfortunately, a traditional four-year degree doesn’t always fit their time or budget.

Online degrees are an increasingly popular alternative—and an associate degree in theology is a concise option, designed to take only two years. Which schools offer online associate degrees in theology, and how do they compare to traditional four-year degrees? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this succinct article.

Can You Earn a Theology Associate Degree Online?

Many colleges, universities, and seminaries offer online associate degree programs for theology and related disciplines. A list of nearly 75 such programs is featured at the end of this article.

Some community colleges (such as Guilford Technical or Wallace State) offer online religious studies associate degrees, which address religious history and culture. However, the majority of theology-related associate degrees are offered by Christian schools, preparing students for Christian teaching and ministry.

What to Expect from an Online Associate in Theology Program

An online degree offers unique advantages—and challenges—for students.

Advantages of Online Learning

Online associate in theology degrees are both affordable and accessible. Since online programs require fewer overhead costs, colleges often discount the tuition. Online students don’t have to worry about housing, meal plans, or a commute either.

Some online programs require on-site visits for events or testing. Others may offer optional on-site opportunities while also permitting students to earn their degree entirely online (such as Institute of Lutheran Theology’s Associate of Arts in Ministry). Still others are built entirely around individual study online. Convenience is the draw of online programs, and most schools make that a priority.

Pacing is another aspect of convenience. Online associate in theology degrees are two-year degrees, but that’s often adjustable. Eighteen months for an accelerated student or 4–6 years for a part-time student are typical variations.

In comparison to the other types of theology degrees, an online associate’s is by far the easiest to work into a tight budget or schedule.

Challenges of Online Learning

That flexibility comes with a trade-off, though. A traditional learning environment cannot be fully replicated online. In ministry and education, soft skills matter—so for a theology degree, online limitations can be problematic.

To address this, online courses may have scheduled class time with digital chats or virtual discussion groups. Some programs even offer a customizable mixture of online solo-study classes and virtual classes (such as Concordia University Wisconsin’s AA in Theological Studies). Even online professors may offer office hours for fielding student questions. Together these opportunities help students develop soft skills in the context of theology.

Many students augment their degree with real-world experience, such as teaching Sunday school, leading a small group, working for a church or nonprofit, or volunteering at a local ministry. The degree brings the knowledge, and the fieldwork hones application. Some programs (such as Indiana Wesleyan University’s) have an option to incorporate this fieldwork into the degree itself.

Online students have far greater flexibility in scheduling this fieldwork, which can give them an edge over traditional students. However, not every online program incorporates fieldwork. Students may have to seek out and initiate such fieldwork themselves—another burden of responsibility on the student.

Course Content

An associate degree in theology includes much of the same classes as a bachelor’s in theology. Many associate in theology degrees seamlessly transfer into a school’s bachelor’s in theology program. Common theology classes include

• Old Testament Studies
• New Testament Studies
• Hermeneutics
• Systematic Theology
• Church History

A variety of theology-adjacent associate degrees are available. An associate in biblical studies might carry a heavier courseload in Greek or Hebrew. An associate in Christian education might include classes in curriculum development.

Different denominations may emphasize different subjects as well. Church history and the Church Fathers play a greater role in Catholic theology than in Baptist theology, for example. Naturally, the school’s denomination can affect post-graduation opportunities and networking as well. Students should be sure to consider their range of options in light of their career goals.

Are Online Associate Degrees in Theology Credible?

Historically, online degrees have struggled with stigma. Some concerns include:

• Are classes as rigorous and well-proctored?
• Does the student have people-skills and practical experience?
• Is the institution providing the degree established and accredited?

Online “diploma mills” (i.e., fake online colleges) give online learning a bad name. However, online degrees offered by accredited institutions are much less likely to be stigmatized. If an online degree is from an established brick-and-mortar institution, that helps credibility too.

In any case, many employers may not ask (or care) if a degree was earned online. Some may even respect the self-drive and initiative it took to earn the degree online while juggling other responsibilities. After the pandemic, more and more employers are valuing electronic communication, the ability to work remotely, and self-management. An online degree is proof that you have skills to succeed in those areas.

Who Should Pursue a Theology Associate Degree Online?

A theology associate degree builds a concise foundation for understanding Christian thought. It’s a good fit for missionaries, Bible teachers, church administrators, youth leaders, nonprofit workers, social workers, and Christian counselors.

For many would-be students, pursuing a traditional degree would require leaving a job or a ministry. Such a sacrifice could set back finances and work experience by several years. Many parents with young children at home cannot realistically pay for childcare and a traditional degree simultaneously. Even if finances aren’t an issue, attending a brick-and-mortar degree program may require a long commute or even a move.

Remote, self-paced study solves those problems—and opens a career path that may otherwise have stayed closed.

For those intending to pursue the pastorate or the priesthood, an associate degree can also be a stepping stone to further education. Many schools seamlessly transfer credits from an associate degree toward their bachelor’s degree program. Even between different schools, some credits may transfer if the schools are accredited.

With the right associate in theology degree, students have the potential to pivot their career path.

Who Should Not Attempt a Theology Associate Degree Online?

An online associate degree in theology isn’t a good fit for everyone. For instance, students with limited internet access or poor self-management may struggle with their coursework. Students with poor soft skills may struggle to develop those skills online—a significant drawback for anyone entering ministry.

An associate degree also carries less clout than a bachelor’s degree. Anyone aspiring to become a pastor will need a bachelor’s degree at minimum—and most pastors and priests will need both a bachelor’s degree and a seminary degree. While some schools have associate degree programs that transition seamlessly into their bachelor’s degree programs, transitioning between schools almost always wastes credits.

If a student knows they’ll need a bachelor’s degree, there’s no need to complicate their academic path. Rather than choosing a bachelor’s degree based on which program carries over the most credits, it’s often best to choose one’s preferred bachelor’s program from the start.

An online associate degree in theology fills a specific niche. It isn’t enough to prepare you for priesthood or the pastorate, and you won’t be teaching any college-level courses. If that’s your career goal, a bachelor’s degree is a better place to begin. However, an online associate degree is short. It’s affordable. It’s accessible. And it gives you the foundation you need to work in a variety of ministries.