Degree Programs and Career Opportunities

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Biblical Studies

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Biblical Studies focuses on the academic and faith-based study of the Bible. Students examine the Old and New Testaments, biblical history, interpretation, languages, theology, archaeology, and the cultural settings in which biblical texts were written.

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Career opportunities by degree level

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• Associate: Ministry assistant, church program assistant, missions assistant, youth ministry aide, or religious education assistant.

• Bachelor’s: Bible teacher, youth minister, ministry coordinator, missionary, Christian writer, or nonprofit ministry worker.

• Master’s: Biblical studies instructor, chaplain, pastor, biblical researcher, curriculum developer, or ministry director.

• Doctoral: College or seminary professor, senior biblical scholar, author, researcher, academic administrator, or theological consultant.

 

Christian Studies

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Christian Studies provides a broad examination of Christianity, including Scripture, theology, Christian history, ethics, ministry, discipleship, and contemporary Christian life. The program prepares students to understand and apply Christian principles in churches, organizations, and communities.

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Career opportunities by degree level

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• Associate: Church administrative assistant, ministry support worker, outreach assistant, or Christian education aide.

• Bachelor’s: Ministry coordinator, youth director, missionary, Christian nonprofit employee, or church administrator.

• Master’s: Pastor, chaplain, ministry director, Christian school administrator, nonprofit leader, or instructor.

• Doctoral: Professor, theologian, researcher, senior ministry executive, academic dean, author, or consultant.

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Christian Education

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Christian Education prepares students to teach and nurture Christian faith in churches, schools, and community ministries. Coursework may include curriculum design, teaching methods, biblical foundations, educational leadership, child and adolescent development, and discipleship.

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Career opportunities by degree level

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• Associate: Sunday school assistant, preschool ministry worker, children’s ministry aide, or Christian education assistant.

• Bachelor’s: Christian education director, children’s minister, youth educator, curriculum writer, or Christian school teacher where permitted.

• Master’s: Educational ministry director, curriculum specialist, Christian school administrator, ministry trainer, or instructional coordinator.

• Doctoral: Professor of Christian education, educational researcher, academic dean, curriculum director, or senior education consultant.

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Pastoral Counseling

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Pastoral Counseling combines biblical and theological principles with counseling and caregiving skills. Students learn how to provide spiritual guidance, crisis support, grief care, premarital preparation, family ministry, and referrals for specialized clinical treatment.

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Career opportunities by degree level

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• Associate: Pastoral care assistant, peer-support worker, church outreach assistant, or bereavement ministry aide.

• Bachelor’s: Pastoral care coordinator, ministry counselor in a nonclinical setting, family ministry worker, or community-support coordinator.

• Master’s: Pastoral counselor, chaplain, pastoral care director, bereavement coordinator, or licensed counselor when all jurisdictional requirements are met.

• Doctoral: Advanced pastoral counselor, professor, clinical pastoral education leader, researcher, author, or pastoral counseling program director.

 

Christian Counseling

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Christian Counseling integrates Christian beliefs with counseling principles to help individuals, couples, and families address personal, relational, and spiritual concerns. Studies may include counseling theories, human development, ethics, crisis care, marriage and family support, and pastoral counseling techniques.

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Career opportunities by degree level

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• Associate: Counseling ministry assistant, peer-support facilitator, intake assistant, or community outreach worker.

• Bachelor’s: Case-management assistant, church counseling coordinator, family ministry worker, behavioral health support worker, or nonprofit program coordinator.

• Master’s: Christian counselor, marriage and family counselor, mental health counselor, chaplain, or counseling program director, subject to applicable licensing requirements.

• Doctoral: Counselor educator, advanced clinician, researcher, clinical supervisor, counseling center director, author, or consultant, subject to applicable licensing requirements.

 

Christian Leadership

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Christian Leadership develops the spiritual, organizational, and practical abilities needed to lead churches, ministries, schools, nonprofits, and community organizations. Students study leadership theory, ethics, communication, strategic planning, team development, conflict resolution, and organizational management.

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Career opportunities by degree level

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• Associate: Ministry team assistant, church office coordinator, volunteer coordinator, or outreach assistant.

• Bachelor’s: Ministry leader, church administrator, nonprofit program manager, missions coordinator, or community outreach director.

• Master’s: Executive pastor, ministry director, nonprofit executive, Christian school administrator, organizational consultant, or leadership coach.

• Doctoral: Senior executive leader, professor, researcher, organizational strategist, academic administrator, author, or leadership consultant.

 

Christian Counseling and Psychology

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Christian Counseling and Psychology examines human thoughts, emotions, behavior, and relationships through psychological study and a Christian worldview. Coursework may include developmental psychology, counseling theories, abnormal psychology, assessment, ethics, research, and spiritual formation.

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Career opportunities by degree level

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• Associate: Behavioral health technician, human-services assistant, peer-support worker, or residential support worker.

• Bachelor’s: Case manager, social-services coordinator, psychiatric technician, ministry counseling coordinator, or community program specialist.

• Master’s: Licensed professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, school counselor, mental health clinician, or program director when licensing and educational requirements are satisfied.

• Doctoral: Licensed psychologist, counselor educator, professor, researcher, clinical supervisor, behavioral health director, or consultant when all licensing requirements are satisfied

 

Theology

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Theology is the systematic study of God, religious belief, Christian doctrine, Scripture, ethics, church history, and the relationship between faith and contemporary life. Students develop skills in research, critical thinking, theological reflection, writing, and teaching.

Career opportunities by degree level

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• Associate: Ministry assistant, church education aide, mission's assistant, or religious-program worker.

• Bachelor’s: Ministry coordinator, Christian educator, missionary, church administrator, writer, or nonprofit worker.

• Master’s: Theologian, pastor, chaplain, seminary instructor, ministry director, author, or ethics consultant.

• Doctoral: Theology professor, senior scholar, researcher, academic dean, author, denominational leader, or theological consultant.

 

Divinity

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Divinity is a professional and advanced field of study designed for ministry, pastoral leadership, chaplaincy, theological scholarship, and service. It commonly combines biblical studies, theology, preaching, worship, pastoral care, ethics, church history, and practical ministry.

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Career opportunities by degree level

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• Associate: Ministry assistant, church administrative worker, outreach aide, or worship ministry assistant.

• Bachelor’s: Ministry coordinator, missions' worker, youth leader, church administrator, or religious educator.

• Master’s: Pastor, chaplain, preacher, missionary, denominational leader, or ministry director. The Master of Divinity is frequently used as professional preparation for ordained ministry.

• Doctoral: Senior pastor, advanced chaplain, professor, ministry researcher, denominational executive, seminary administrator, author, or ministry consultant.

 

Ministry

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Ministry prepares students for practical service and leadership in churches, faith-based organizations, missions, and community programs. Areas of study may include preaching, worship, evangelism, discipleship, pastoral care, church administration, leadership, and community outreach.

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Career opportunities by degree level

 

• Associate: Ministry assistant, worship assistant, outreach worker, youth ministry aide, or church program coordinator.

• Bachelor’s: Associate pastor, youth pastor, worship leader, missionary, church administrator, or nonprofit ministry coordinator.

• Master’s: Senior pastor, chaplain, ministry director, church planter, missions director, executive pastor, or denominational leader.

• Doctoral: Senior ministry leader, professor, advanced ministry practitioner, seminary administrator, author, researcher, or church-growth consultant.

 

Important Career Notice

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Some careers listed above—including psychologist, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, school counselor, teacher, and certain chaplaincy positions—require specific accredited degrees, supervised experience, examinations, certifications, or government-issued licenses. Pastoral titles may also require ordination or endorsement by a church or denomination. A degree does not by itself guarantee eligibility for employment, professional licensure, ordination, or certification. Prospective students should review the requirements that apply in the state, country, denomination, or organization where they intend to serve.

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