5 Things to Check Before Choosing an Online Theology Degree

This updated checklist helps prospective students evaluate online theology degrees. It recommends confirming recognized accreditation (including ATS for seminaries), ensuring curriculum and practicum align with your beliefs and goals, avoiding rapid-award or life-experience-only degrees, verifying the institution's physical address and contactability, and confirming the degree's acceptance by employers or denominational bodies.

Choosing an online theology degree: five practical checks

Online theology programs are common today, but quality varies. The following five checks preserve the core concerns students have always had - accreditation, doctrinal fit, contactability, physical presence, and acceptability - updated for current practice in distance education.

1) Confirm recognized accreditation

Start by confirming the school's accreditation. In the U.S., recognized accreditors appear on lists maintained by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). For professional theological credentials, look for specialized recognition such as the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) for seminaries in the U.S. and Canada. Religious-body accreditation exists too, but it may not transfer for employment or further study - verify transferability and credential recognition before you enroll.

2) Ensure the curriculum aligns with your beliefs and goals

Read program descriptions, course syllabi, and faculty profiles. Theology covers a wide range - from confessional ministry training to academic biblical studies. If you plan to serve a denomination or apply to ordination, make sure required courses and doctrinal statements match your tradition. Also check for required field education, internships, or practicum components if you want ministry experience.

3) Watch for diploma mills and life-experience claims

Some programs advertise quick degrees or award credit solely for life experience. While legitimate competency-based programs exist, many rapid-award degrees are worthless outside that issuing organization. Verify that the institution issues transcripts, follows clear assessment policies, and is in good standing with recognized accreditors.

4) Verify the institution's contactability and presence

A reputable school publishes a physical address, phone number, and reachable student services. A campus visit or an arranged online meeting with staff or faculty helps you evaluate support services, technology platforms, library access, and academic advising. Even fully online schools usually maintain an administrative office and local accreditation records.

5) Check acceptance by employers, denominations, and further-study programs

Before you commit, ask prospective employers, denominational bodies, or graduate programs whether they accept the degree. Policies vary: some churches, mission agencies, and seminaries require degrees from specific accrediting bodies or from institutions endorsed by the denomination.

Practical next steps

Request a catalog and sample syllabi. Ask for faculty CVs, student outcome data (graduation and placement rates), and the refund and grievance policies. Confirm transfer-credit rules if you may move to another institution later.

Choosing an online theology degree requires the same due diligence as any higher-education decision: verify accreditation, confirm doctrinal and practical fit, avoid diploma mills, test the school's responsiveness, and ensure the credential will serve your ministry or academic goals.