Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.)

Credit Hours

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Teach Others to Study the Scriptures by Earning a Master’s Degree in Religious Education!

If you are already a professional in your field but wish to take your Christian scholarship to another level, then Liberty University’s online Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.) is for you. Our master’s in religious education degree is a 100% online program that’s designed to fit both your schedule and needs.

Liberty’s graduate religious education degree is a professional theological program in Christian education and discipleship ministries that can equip you with a broad, foundational master’s program in church ministry. Not only will you be provided with an understanding of church educational programs and discipleship ministries, but you will also acquire the tools to lead and work in a variety of church positions.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.).

Accreditation

Liberty Theological Seminary, as part of Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Your seminary degree is approved by ATS and has met rigorous accreditation standards, so you can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.

Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026

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600+ Online Degrees
No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Why Choose Liberty’s Master’s in Religious Education Online Degree Program?

Liberty University’s mission is to Train Champions for Christ. We’ve created the Master of Religious Education degree to provide a professional theology and religion degree that blends Christian education and discipleship. The master’s in religious education online degree can help equip men and women who have been called to serve as professional Christian workers.

Examples of Christian workers who will be well served by this degree are associate pastors, ministers or directors of Christian education, discipleship pastors, small group pastors, and other positions that require a broad general knowledge of church educational programs and discipleship ministries.

In this program, you will be challenged to reach beyond your foundational knowledge of ministry and improve your ministry work with new and helpful tools as you start to more effectively reach your community.

What Will You Study in Our Online Master’s Degree in Religious Education?

In our master’s in religious education online degree, you can learn a variety of critical skills that encompass effective leadership in Christian education and ministry. One of the most important components you will take away from this master’s degree is how to create effective follow-up with members of your ministry, how to disciple workers and members, and how to properly incorporate the Bible while evangelizing.

Building on this foundation, you will study the systematic theology of the doctrines of Scripture, God, the angels, humanity, and sin so that you will have a wide base of knowledge for your teaching and ministry. The master’s in religious education online degree will also provide training on how to serve and equip the church through small group ministry and the practice of effective pedagogy in classroom or pulpit presentation settings.

We can help prepare you to become an effective leader rooted in foundational biblical principles. You can learn about leadership from both a New and Old Testament perspective. In addition to becoming a stronger spiritual leader, you will be trained on the administrative side of church leadership. Seasoned professors will teach you how to approach the business side of church ministries such as managing staff, finances, buildings, and public relations to help accomplish the mission and vision of the Church.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for many divinity courses* all for one convenient fee.

*Electronic textbooks are not provided for PACO courses or courses that fall under departments outside the School of Divinity.

Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours)	$2,850
Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (1-8.99 or over 15 credit hours)	$410/Credit
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours)	$2,575
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (1-8.99 or over 15 credit hours)	$290/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Admission Information for Liberty’s Online Graduate Religion Programs

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
Admission to this program also requires:
- The School of Divinity Questionnaire (login required).
- Submission of contact information (login required) for 1 pastoral recommender.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Unofficial College Transcript Policy

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
Cumulative GPA
A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for part-time graduate and postgraduate divinity courses
Discounted divinity block rate – $2,575 per semester*
Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder **
8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

*Credits taken below 9 and above 15 credit hours per semester are charged at the part-time rate.

**Not applicable to certificates, postgraduate, or doctoral programs.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

View Military Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions for Our M.R.E. Online Degree

What degrees are similar to this one?

Master’s in Christian Apologetics – Liberty University’s Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics focuses on the philosophical, historical, and biblical knowledge you’ll need to know to defend the Christian faith. You will be provided with a deeper knowledge of the Scriptures for personal ministry and understanding of the Bible.
Master’s in Global Studies – Our Master of Arts in Global Studies is designed to provide you with the tools and skills needed to serve in cross-cultural contexts. You will be equipped with the communication and writing skills needed for global involvement and cultural understanding. This program provides a biblical and theological basis for global involvement and provides an examination of cultures, world religions, and worldviews.

What is the difference between the Master of Religious Education and the Master of Arts in Educational Ministries?

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.) Guiding Strategies for Faith-Based Education

Teach Others to Study the Scriptures by Earning a Master’s Degree in Religious Education!

Accreditation

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s Master’s in Religious Education Online Degree Program?

What Will You Study in Our Online Master’s Degree in Religious Education?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Liberty’s Online Graduate Religion Programs

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

Ready to Apply?

Military

Frequently Asked Questions for Our M.R.E. Online Degree

What degrees are similar to this one?

What is the difference between the Master of Religious Education and the Master of Arts in Educational Ministries?

Are you ready to change your future?

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