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
Liberty University’s Master of Theology in Church History Can Help You Use the Past to Impact Your Future in Ministry
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.
Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity provides ThM students with professors who have an abundance of experience in the field. As a student, you will 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 learn how to address challenges in the Church today by drawing on lessons from the past.
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.
Why Choose Liberty University’s Master of Theology Degree in Church History Online?
As a student in Liberty University’s Master of Theology in Church History program, you will 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 necessary 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.
Benefits of Pursuing Your Online Master of Theology at Liberty University:
- Unlike many online Bible colleges or seminaries, Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
- Our church history and theology degree online is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
- Our professors have years of experience in the field and are available to mentor and pray for you as you pursue your historical theology degree.
What Will You Study in Our Master of Theology in Church History Degree?
Your ThM 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.
Potential Career Opportunities
Our Master of Theology degree provides quality training that can help you thrive in the following roles:
- Bible instructor
- College or seminary professor
- Historian
- Ministry worker
- Missionary
- Nonprofit worker
- Pastor
- Pastoral counselor
- Professor
- Researcher
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity.
- View the Graduate Divinity Course Guides (login required).
Degree Completion Plan
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Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
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) | $2,750 |
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Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (0-8.99 or over 15 credit hours) | $395/Credit |
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours) | $2,475 |
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (0-8.99 or over 15 credit hours) | $275/Credit |
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Liberty’s ThM in Church History Degree Online
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) showing regionally or nationally accredited degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels are required. Transcripts must show a Master of Divinity (or M.Div. equivalent — see M.Div. Equivalency Policy below) with a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission in good standing. Please note: Students that confer a master’s degree with Liberty University and apply for the Th.M. must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in order to gain admissions. Students with an LU graduate GPA below 3.0 will be denied admission.
- Admission to this program requires the following:
- Submit Contact Information for a Pastoral Recommendation
- Submit the School of Divinity Questionnaire
- 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.
M.Div. Equivalency Policy
- Regionally or nationally accredited seminary degree with at least a 3.0 GPA for admission in good standing
- 72 accredited graduate hours (any graduate credit)
- 9 hours in graduate-level Bible and/or theology
- 9 hours in graduate-level church history, apologetics, evangelism, discipleship, global studies, leadership, homiletics, and/or church ministries
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
- Complete a Master’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 transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
- 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 doctoral degree.
Transcript Policies
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.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
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 – $275 per credit hour for part-time graduate and postgraduate divinity courses
- Discounted divinity block rate – $2,475 per semester*
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)**
- 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.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you do with a Master of Theology in Church History online?
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).
What is the difference between a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology in Church History?
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. At 75 credit hours, 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.
What are the benefits of pursuing a ThM in Church History?
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.
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