by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you enjoy speaking to large groups of people? Do you have a strong faith and enjoy spreading the word of God? A degree in Theological and Ministerial Studies may be for you.
While the theology part of this field allows you to learn about religion and the role it plays in everyday life, the ministerial part prepares students to attend a seminary or other religious program to become ordained as a minister or religious leader. You will take classes in biblical studies, religious studies, philosophy, sociology, history, literature, anthropology, and foreign languages to prepare for a career within the church.
If you are interested in learning about world religions, you may want to major in general Theological Studies. However, some colleges offer areas of specialization that include Divinity/Ministry, Pre-Theology Studies, Rabbinical Studies, and Talmudic Studies. These areas allow you to focus on the aspect of theology and ministry you are most passionate about.
In 2021-2022, theological & ministerial studies was the 63rd most popular major nationwide with 15,527 degrees awarded. This year's Best Theological & Ministerial Studies Schools ranking compares 54 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom theology rankings further below.
Students who choose to pursue a career as a minister or religious leader should have strong interpersonal and communication skills. You will be expected to speak in front of large groups as well as counsel individuals.
A degree in this field often leads to a full time job in a variety of fields. While those who wish to become ordained will be expected to attend religious ceremonies on the weekends and during the week along with their other responsibilities, graduates who pursue a different career may work more typical work hours. The work environment varies depending on the occupation you pursue.
Theological and Ministerial Studies students should pursue an internship or summer job or volunteer with their church or congregation. This will give students experience working for a religious group and help them decide which career path they want to follow.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic theological & ministerial studies program qualifications, to serve in some theology careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Theology degree levels vary. Theological & Ministerial Studies programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest theology degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a theology degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to theology, with approximately 39.9% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to theology tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 40.5% |
| Doctoral Degree | 36.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 12.0% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 6.2% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.0% |
83.7% of theology workers have at least a master's. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in theological & ministerial studies have received.
This of course varies depending on which theology career you choose.
Graduates with a degree in in Theological and Ministerial Studies have gone into a variety of fields. While those focusing on Ministerial Studies usually go on to become ordained as religious leaders, other Theological graduates are counselors, teachers, lawyers, church administrators, and healthcare professionals. This field is growing at an average rate.
Want a job when you graduate with your theology degree? Theological & Ministerial Studies careers are expected to grow 8.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to theological & ministerial studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clergy | 263,800 | 8.2% |
| Religious Workers | 57,300 | 7.7% |
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | 35,700 | 12.3% |
Recently graduated theological & ministerial studies students earned an average of $48,724 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $15,327 to as high as $114,729. As you might expect, salaries for theology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for theological & ministerial studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers theology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Religion Professors | $82,420 |
| Clergy | $53,290 |
| Religious Workers | $35,860 |
With over 1,381 different theology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased theology school rankings to help you with this.
Theological & Ministerial Studies is one of 7 different types of Theology & Religious Vocations programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Divinity/Ministry | 6,777 |
| Theology | 6,583 |
| Other Theological & Ministerial Studies | 1,797 |
| Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies | 215 |
| Rabbinical Studies | 155 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biblical Studies | 4,021 |
| Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries | 3,465 |
| Religious Education | 1,292 |
| Missionary Studies | 1,282 |
| Theology & Religious Vocations (Other) | 1,192 |
