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Perhaps you’re moving into paid ministry after working in a different field. Maybe you’re interested in studying theology at a higher level, but you’re not ready to commit to a full degree program. Pursuing a theology certificate can be a great way to expand your theological knowledge while preparing yourself for future studies.
This article answers several of the most common questions about theology certificates. At the bottom, you’ll find a full directory of theology certificate programs you can use to research various options.
What Are University Certificate Programs in Theology?
A theology certificate program is a short nondegree track providing students 15 to 25 hours of concentrated coursework. Some schools offer general Bible and theology certificates, while others offer more specialized theological certificates.
Earning a theology certificate doesn’t typically require the same time or financial commitment as a full-length degree. Many programs allow students to take classes part time while continuing to work a full-time ministry or secular job.
Getting a theology certificate can be a great way to expand your skillset or broaden your understanding of theological concepts. Sometimes, students can even transfer certificate credits into a full-length undergraduate or graduate degree program.
What Types of Theology Certificates Are Available?
Theology certificates are available at both undergraduate and graduate levels. For example, Sacred Heart Major Seminary offers an undergraduate certificate in Catholic Theology. This program includes 27 credit hours and requires students to take courses in catholic faith, moral theology, and apologetics. Students also participate in three formation sessions throughout their time in school.
Luther Seminary offers multiple graduate-level certificates, including their Certificate in Bible, History of Christianity, and Systematic Theology. Students completing this certificate can choose to concentrate on Old Testament, New Testament, History of Christianity, or Systematic Theology. They will also have their choice of four elective courses within the domains of Bible, history of Christianity, and systematic theology. For instance, Thinking Theologically and Confessing Publicly is a required course in this program, but The Triune God and the World is an elective for students interested in studying systematic theology as they work on their certificate.
Theology certificates are often more specialized than full-length degree programs. The Catholic Theological Union has developed a Certificate in Asian Pastoral Theology and Ministry to equip students to effectively serve Asians and Asian-Americans. They also offer a Certificate in Black Theology and Ministry that requires students to take nine Black-themed hours. Course options include Pastoral Care in an African-American Context, Black Spirituality, and Perspectives in African Biblical Interpretation.
Coursework Examples from Theology Certificate Programs
Most certificate programs include several required courses. In addition, some schools allow students to choose elective courses based on their career goals or personal interests. A typical theology certificate includes classes in historical and systematic theology. Many programs also include courses in Biblical interpretation, and some even have classes on pastoral ministry or discipleship.
Barclay College’s flexible online program allows students to earn a Certificate in Biblical Studies after taking five required courses and three electives. They teach online courses in categories such as the Bible, Christian ministry leadership, missions, Old and New Testament studies, pastoral ministry, and theological studies. They also developed an Introduction to Worship class, where students learn about the development of various practices within Christian worship and how to plan and lead various elements of group worship services.
Wesley Biblical Seminary’s graduate-level Certificate in Biblical Theology includes 25 hours of masters-level coursework. “Discipleship and Spiritual Formation” is a four-hour course, with the additional seven courses each having three hours. In “History of Christian Thought,” students learn how biblical theology has developed and evolved over time. In classes such as “Christ, Revelation, God, and Humanity” and “Salvation, Holy Spirit, Church, and Last Things,” students take an in-depth look at important themes and concepts from Scripture as they work to develop their own perception or understanding within each of these areas.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Certificate in Theology?
Most theology certificates require students to complete 15 to 25 hours of required courses before receiving their certificate. The amount of time needed to complete a program sometimes depends on the number of courses a student can handle at one time. Many students can earn their certificate in one year, while others may need two to three years to finish.
The time frame can also depend on how the school structures its program. At Great Lakes Christian College, students who enroll in the online graduate-level Certificate in Bible and Theology take one course every eight weeks, finishing the program in 18 months. It’s laid out this way so that students can participate in classes while also working full time.
How Much Does a Certificate in Theology Cost?
Theology certificates can vary in price between different schools. Keep in mind that tuition costs don’t include money spent on books, supplies, or travel for programs with residency requirements or intensive courses.
Liberty University’s online Graduate Theology Certificate Program costs $395 per credit hour for part-time students. Their program requires students to take 12 credit hours, bringing the total cost for the certificate to $4,740 (full-time students receive a reduced rate).
Rather than billing students per credit hour, Oral Roberts University charges a flat rate of $3,400 for their Advanced Certificate in Theology. Estimating the cost of books and supplies at $660, students are charged a total of $4,060. This program includes 12 online lessons, which usually takes students one year to complete.
Instead of charging per credit hour or for the entire program, United Theological Seminary prices each course individually. All classes include a $30 registration fee and a $70 technology fee in addition to a tuition cost of $400. They award students a certificate after completing 12 courses, which generally takes students three years to finish.
Depending on which school you’re considering, you may be able to apply for scholarships or financial aid. If you’re working with a church or para-church organization, your employer may contribute to the cost of your tuition as a contribution to your professional development.
Browse Theology Certificate Programs
157 Schools Found
Alabama
Huntsville Bible College
Huntsville, Alabama
Certificate of Biblical Studies
Offered Online
Certificate of Church Ministry
Offered Online
California
Azusa Pacific University
Department of Biblical and Religious Studies
Azusa, California
Bethel Seminary-San Diego
San Diego, California
California Lutheran University
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
Thousand Oaks, California
Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology
Berkeley, California
Franciscan School of Theology
San Diego, California
Hope International University
Pacific Christian College of Ministry And Biblical Studies
Fullerton, California
La Sierra University
Riverside, California
Pacific School of Religion
Berkeley, California
Certificate of Theological Studies
Offered Online
Santa Clara University
Jesuit School of Theology
Santa Clara, California
Shasta Bible College and Graduate School
Redding, California
Certificate in Biblical Studies
Offered Online
Simpson University
Redding, California
University of Redlands
Graduate School of Theology
Redlands, California
Certificate in Theological Studies
Offered Online
World Mission University
Los Angeles, California
Colorado
Denver Seminary
Littleton, Colorado
Nazarene Bible College
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Certificate in Ministry Preparation
Offered Online
Connecticut
Hartford Seminary
Hartford, Connecticut
Certificate of Ministerial Studies
Offered Online
Yale University
Yale Divinity School
New Haven, Connecticut
District of Columbia
Catholic University of America
School of Theology and Religious Studies
Washington, District of Columbia
Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies
Washington, District of Columbia
Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family
Washington, District of Columbia
Wesley Theological Seminary
Washington, District of Columbia
Certificate in Christian Studies
Offered Online
Florida
Barry University
Department of Theology and Philosophy
Miami, Florida
Florida Christian College
School of Christian Ministries
Kissimmee, Florida
Certificate in Christian Ministries
Offered Online
Southeastern University
Ministry and Theology Department
Lakeland, Florida
Trinity College of Florida
Trinity, Florida
Georgia
Mercer University
School of Theology
Macon, Georgia
Toccoa Falls College
Bible and Theology Department
Toccoa Falls, Georgia
Certificate in Biblical Studies
Offered Online
Idaho
Boise Bible College
Boise, Idaho
Certificate in Bible
Offered Online
Illinois
Catholic Theological Union at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Evanston, Illinois
McCormick Theological Seminary
Chicago, Illinois
Meadville Theological School of Lombard College
Chicago, Illinois
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois
Certificate in Biblical Foundation
Offered Online
Certificate in Biblical Studies
Offered Online
Certificate in Disability Ministry
Offered Online
Certificate in Ministry to Women
Offered Online
North Park University
Theological Seminary
Chicago, Illinois
Certificate in Christian Studies
Offered Online
Certificate in Intercultural Ministry
Offered Online
Northern Baptist Theological Seminary
Lisle, Illinois
Trinity International University-Illinois
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Deerfield, Illinois
Certificate in Educational Ministries
Offered Online
Certificate in Theological Studies
Offered Online
Wheaton College
The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies
Wheaton, Illinois
Indiana
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary
Elkhart, Indiana
Anderson University
School of Theology and Christian Ministry
Anderson, Indiana
Certificate in Ministry Foundations
Offered Online
Bethany Theological Seminary
Richmond, Indiana
Christian Theological Seminary
School of Theology
Indianapolis, Indiana
Concordia Theological Seminary
Pastoral Department
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Earlham College
Richmond, Indiana
Saint Meinrad School of Theology
Graduate Theology Department
St. Meinrad, Indiana
Union Bible College
Ministerial Department
Westfield, Indiana
Iowa
Divine Word College
Department of Theology and Philosophy
Epworth, Iowa
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary
Ankeny, Iowa
Certificate in Biblical Worldview
Offered Online
Wartburg Theological Seminary
Dubuque, Iowa
Advance Certificate in Rural Ministry
Offered Online
Certificate in Hispanic Ministry
Offered Online
Certificate in Theological Studies
Offered Online
Kansas
Barclay College
Haviland, Kansas
Kentucky
Asbury Theological Seminary
Wilmore, Kentucky
Lexington Theological Seminary
Lexington, Kentucky
Certificate in Hispanic Ministries
Offered Online
Certificate in Pastoral Ministry
Offered Online
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Ministry
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisiana
Louisiana College
School of Missions and Ministries
Pineville, Louisiana
Loyola University-New Orleans
College of Nursing and Health
New Orleans, Louisiana
Certificate in Theology and Ministry
Offered Online
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans, Louisiana
Maryland
Loyola University Maryland
Department of Theology
Baltimore, Maryland
Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary
Capitol Heights, Maryland
Women's Institute of Torah Seminary and College
Baltimore, Maryland
Massachusetts
Boston College
School of Theology and Ministry
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Certificate in Theology and Ministry
Offered Online
Boston University
School of Theology
Boston, Massachusetts
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
South Hamilton, Massachusetts
Michigan
Andrews University
Religion and Biblical Languages Department
Berrien Springs, Michigan
Aquinas College
Theology Department
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Calvin Theological Seminary
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Certificate in Bible Instruction
Offered Online
Certificate in Worship
Offered Online
Concordia University-Ann Arbor
Theology Department
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ecumenical Theological Seminary
Detroit, Michigan
Kuyper College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Detroit, Michigan
Western Theological Seminary
Holland, Michigan
Minnesota
Bethel University
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Luther Seminary
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Martin Luther College
New Ulm, Minnesota
Northwestern College
Department of Biblical and Theological Studies
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Certificate in Bible
Offered Online
Mississippi
Wesley Biblical Seminary
Ridgeland, Mississippi
Missouri
Aquinas Institute of Theology
Saint Louis, Missouri
Central Christian College of the Bible
Moberly, Missouri
Covenant Theological Seminary
Saint Louis, Missouri
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Midwestern Women's Institute
Kansas City, Missouri
Missouri Baptist University
Humanities Division
Saint Louis, Missouri
Nebraska
Concordia University - Nebraska
Seward, Nebraska
Creighton University
College of Arts and Sciences
Omaha, Nebraska
Nebraska Christian College
Pacific Christian College of Ministry and Biblical Studies
Papillion, Nebraska
Summit Christian College
Gering, Nebraska
Certificate in Christian Foundations
Offered Online
New Jersey
Assumption College for Sisters
Division of Theology and Philosophy
Mendham, New Jersey
Drew University
Drew Theological School
Madison, New Jersey
Saint Elizabeth University
Theology Department
Morristown, New Jersey
Seton Hall University
Pastoral Theology Department
South Orange, New Jersey
New York
Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
Rochester, New York
Derech Hachaim Seminary
Monroe, New York
Fordham University
Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education
Bronx, New York
New York Seminary
Brooklyn, New York
New York Theological Seminary
Theology Department
New York, New York
Northeastern Seminary
Rochester, New York
Ohel Margulia Seminary
Monsey, New York
St. John's University
Humanities Division
Queens, New York
North Carolina
Carolina College of Biblical Studies
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Certificate in Bible Translation
Offered Online
Certificate in Biblical Counseling
Offered Online
Certificate in Biblical Studies
Offered Online
Duke University
Divinity School
Durham, North Carolina
Hood Theological Seminary
Salisbury, North Carolina
Manna University
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Certificate in Bible And Theology
Offered Online
Certificate in Christian Counseling
Offered Online
Certificate in Christian Leadership
Offered Online
Certificate in Church Leadership
Offered Online
Certificate in Worship Ministry
Offered Online
Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Department of Bible and Christian Ministry
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Ohio
Athenaeum of Ohio
School of Theology
Cincinnati, Ohio
Ohio Christian University
Circleville, Ohio
Certificate in Biblical Studies
Offered Online
Certificate in Ministry
Offered Online
Certificate in Ministry Leadership
Offered Online
Pontifical College Josephinum
School of Theology
Columbus, Ohio
Tri-State Bible College
South Point, Ohio
United Theological Seminary
Dayton, Ohio
Certificate in Theology and Ministry
Offered Online
University of Dayton
Religious Studies Department
Dayton, Ohio
Valor Christian College
Canal Winchester, Ohio
Oklahoma
Family of Faith College
Global Awakening Theological Seminary
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Oregon
George Fox University
Newberg, Oregon
Certificate in Christian Ministries
Offered Online
Pennsylvania
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church
Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania
DeSales University
Department of Philosophy and Theology
Center Valley, Pennsylvania
Certificate in Theology
Offered Online
Lancaster Bible College
Bible and Theology Department
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster Theological Seminary
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Missio Theological Seminary
Bible and Theology Department
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Moravian College
Moravian Theological Seminary
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Theological Seminary of the Reformed Episcopal Church
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry
Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Diploma in Christian Ministry
Offered Online
United Lutheran Seminary
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
University of Valley Forge
Department of Ministry Leadership and Theology
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Villanova University
Department of Theology and Religious Studies
Villanova, Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Bob Jones University
Greenville, South Carolina
Columbia International University
Columbia Biblical Seminary
Columbia, South Carolina
W L Bonner College
Columbia, South Carolina
Tennessee
Johnson University
Knoxville, Tennessee
Lipscomb University
School of Theology
Nashville, Tennessee
Certificate in Christian Ministry
Offered Online
Mid-South Christian College
Memphis, Tennessee
Milligan University
School of Bible and Ministry
Milligan, Tennessee
Pentecostal Theological Seminary
Cleveland, Tennessee
Richmont Graduate University
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Certificate in Christian Sex Therapy
Offered Online
Sewanee-The University of the South
School of Theology
Sewanee, Tennessee
Southern Adventist University
School of Religion
Collegedale, Tennessee
Welch College
School of Theology
Nashville, Tennessee
Texas
Austin Graduate School of Theology
School of Education
Austin, Texas
Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary
Jacksonville, Texas
Brite Divinity School
Divinity School
Fort Worth, Texas
College of Biblical Studies-Houston
Houston, Texas
Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas, Texas
Grace School of Theology
Conroe, Texas
Houston Graduate School of Theology
Houston, Texas
Lubbock Christian University
Graduate School of Theology
Lubbock, Texas
Southern Methodist University
Perkins School of Theology
Dallas, Texas
St. Mary's University
Department of Theology
San Antonio, Texas
Graduate Certificate in Theology
Offered Online
Virginia
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Regent University
School of Divinity
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Certificate in Christian Ministry
Offered Online
Shenandoah University
College of Arts and Sciences
Winchester, Virginia
Union Presbyterian Seminary
Richmond, Virginia
Virginia University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia
Washington
Faith International University
Tacoma, Washington
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education
College of Ministry
Kirkland, Washington
Northwest University
College of Ministry
Kirkland, Washington
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Pacific Seminary
Seattle, Washington
West Virginia
Wheeling University
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wisconsin
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Department of Philosophy
Mequon, Wisconsin
Mount Mary University
School of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Studies
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Saint Norbert College
De Pere, Wisconsin