Master of Theology (ThM) in Church History Rooting the Present in Time-Tested Principles
30
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
Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Theology (ThM) in Church History degree can help you become more effective in your discipleship ministries by building a foundational knowledge rooted in the history of the Christian church. By engaging in courses focused on the historical development of Christian theology, classical Reformation, global Christianity, and American Christianity, you can gain a new level of expertise to use in your career. This program is often pursued by Christian educators, lay ministry leaders, and missionaries who are looking to expand their knowledge of the history of the Church following the completion of a Master of Divinity or its equivalent.
The Liberty Theological Seminary provides ThM program students with professors who have an abundance of experience in the field. As a student, you can gain a solid, biblically based education from our renowned faculty who bring a firm commitment to conservative evangelical theology to the classroom. While obtaining your Master of Theology degree, you can also build a strong network of like-minded individuals by collaborating with educators and fellow students.
Whether you want to conduct scholarly research, further your career in Christian service, or complete a degree program at the doctoral level, Liberty’s ThM in Church History degree online can help you pursue your passion and calling as you deepen your understanding of the Christian faith. You can learn about important foundations and historical movements within the Christian church and gain a valuable credential that can help you explore new employment opportunities. Partner with us and discover how to address challenges in the Church today by drawing on lessons from the past.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Theology (ThM) in Church History.
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
As a student in Liberty University’s Master of Theology in Church History program, you can have access to a variety of resources to help further your knowledge and skills. Our professors are committed to preparing you for a successful career as they teach you from a biblical worldview and help provide you with the tools and knowledge to serve well in a ministry-related role.
Our Master of Theology in Church History degree is offered 100% online, which allows you to gain a quality education and still be involved with your family, in your job, and in your community.
Additionally, Liberty is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), meaning your degree will be well-respected by organizations and employers across the nation.
As a student at Liberty University, you get access to the Logos Bible app at no extra cost. If you’re in a Rawlings School of Divinity program, you receive a Logos Max subscription – unlocking a robust library of biblical and theological resources while you study.
The majority of our Liberty Theological Seminary master’s programs even integrate Logos into your courses, teaching you how to use it effectively and giving you additional resources and training to help you dig deeper into Scripture and prepare for ministry.

Your ThM program courses will be filled with challenging, quality content that can help you feel more prepared and confident for your ministry. Our classes can give you a deeper understanding of Christian doctrine and how to confront contemporary doctrinal issues commonly seen today. You can gain a level of expertise in understanding the history of evangelicalism and how it molded the Church today.
Additionally, you will gain a global perspective of the Church when looking into cultural contexts, key personalities, and movements that contributed to the spread and identity of global Christianity. After completing your theology degree, you can be better prepared to make an impact in your community through deep biblical teaching and a thorough understanding of the Church’s history.
Our ThM degree in church history can help give you a new range of skills and knowledge as you work to further the Great Commission. By engaging in our theology degree online, you can become equipped to make a bigger impact than ever before.
Our Master of Theology degree provides quality training that can help you thrive in the following roles:
Degree Completion Plan
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
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.
All Tuition & Fees
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
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.
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
Available Benefits:
*Credits taken below 9 and above 15 credit hours per semester are charged at the part-time rate.
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.
This Christian religious history degree can help you pursue a variety of roles in academia, nonprofit organizations, parachurch settings, and church leadership. It can also help prepare you for a doctoral divinity program, such as the Doctor of Ministry (DMin).
The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is a graduate-level program designed to help you pursue various roles in ministry, particularly if you want to become an ordained pastor. Liberty’s Master of Divinity offers a rigorous curriculum that can help you gain in-depth knowledge of the Greek and Hebrew languages, discipleship, apologetics, evangelism, and other related disciplines.
In contrast, the Master of Theology (ThM) is a postgraduate program, which means it’s designed to be completed after you’ve earned a master’s degree. Our ThM in Church History is a step above a master’s degree and a step below a doctorate.
If you already hold an MDiv (or an equivalent degree), Liberty’s Master of Theology in Church History degree program provides additional training beyond the master’s level to help you further hone your research and ministry skills. At just 30 credit hours, our Christian history degree online can help you gain specialized knowledge and pursue your goals.
An important benefit of studying church history is that you can draw on lessons from the past to help strengthen your ministry and personal walk with God, allowing you to make a difference in the Church today. Our professors have years of ministry experience and are committed to Training Champions for Christ.
Inner Navigation
Have questions?
*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.