Liberty’s residential Master of Theology program will only be available through the Summer 2023 semester. If you are interested in this program for Fall 2023 or later, please see our online Master of Theology.
Prepare for the Future by Studying the Past With a Th.M. in Church History
Have you completed your Master of Divinity and are unsure about where to take your education next? A Master of Theology (Th.M.) – Church History will prepare you for careers in church and parachurch ministries by building on your foundation in the historical development of Christian theology, classical reformation, and global and American Christianity.
You will work on understanding the lessons learned in the development of the modern church and how to build upon those. Our degree will help you lead your ministry into the future!
Liberty University’s Master of Theology – Church History is a postgraduate program designed for students who have previously completed a Master of Divinity or equivalent degree. This degree will advance your knowledge of the early leaders of the Christian faith, and how they grew the church from its humble beginnings to the global network and religion it is today.
Accreditation
Your divinity degree is approved by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and has met rigorous accreditation standards. You can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.
Award-Winning Campus
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education that equips students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence helped us rank among Niche.com’s Top 5 college campuses in America. Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Why Choose Liberty’s Master of Theology (Th.M.) – Church History Degree?
If you are eventually planning to pursue your doctoral-level education then the Th.M. – Church History thesis track is an excellent opportunity for you. It is specifically designed for those students like you who plan to pursue a doctorate. You’ll transition easily from your earlier M.Div. studies to prepare for the challenge of church leadership. Plus, the thesis requirement will be excellent preparation for your doctoral dissertation.
Furthering your education at Liberty will allow you to gain access to the vast resources which are provided on-campus at Liberty — one of the largest Christian universities in the nation. In addition to the Jerry Falwell Library, you will also have access to the Scriptorium and other resources of biblical knowledge and scholarly work. Between your professors and fellow students, you will cultivate a strong community of like-minded individuals who have similar callings and goals while obtaining your Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree.
What Will You Learn in Our Master of Theology (Th.M.) – Church History
You will continue your theological studies and learn about contemporary and modern Christian thought. The church history specialization will first lead you through an exploration of the early church fathers and Greek apologists. The following divisions in the church and doctrinal construction will also be studied through the Middle Ages, the Reformation Period, and the Modern Era.
Learning about the key church figures and the movements that contributed to the spread of Christianity into the New World will be an integral part of your studies. You’ll explore the history, major personalities, background, and beliefs of Evangelicalism, as well as its rise in America from the 20th century through the current day. Studying Evangelicalism from its beginnings to the modern day will allow you to better understand the present state of Christianity in the nation.
Featured Courses
CHHI 610 – Historical Development of Christian Theology
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- The doctrinal development of the early church fathers and the Greek apologists
- The doctrinal construction in the Nicene and post-Nicene period
- The further development and divisions in the Middle Ages, the Reformation Period, and the Modern Era
CHHI 620 – History of Global Christianity
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- The historic expansion of global Christianity from the first century to the present day
- Cultural contexts, key personalities, and movements that contributed to the spread and identity of global Christianity
CHHI 670 – History of Evangelism
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- The development of Evangelicalism in the 20th century
- The major issues that gave rise to Evangelicalism, such as its background, beliefs, and major personalities, the development of the Evangelical movement in America in the 20th century, fundamentalism, and the current state of Evangelicalism today
CHHI 660 – American Christianity
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- A study of the beginnings of Christianity in America to the present
- The European background, colonial Christianity, the first Great Awakening, the rise of the United States, the separation of church and state, the second Great Awakening, the development of religious diversity, the impact of the Civil War on religion, denominational development, the impact of immigration and industrialization, and the modern period
Highlights
Degree Information
Careers
Highlights of Our Master of Theology (Th.M.) – Church History Degree
- Monday-only classes for masters’ programs allow students to complete large portions of their postgraduate degree by only attending class one day a week.
- We have a state-of-the-art homiletics/teaching lab in our School of Divinity building.
- Our Scriptorium houses the Rawlings Foundation rare books valued at over $1 million, a 111 ft.-long Torah scroll that dates to the 16th century, and a functioning replica Gutenberg Printing Press.
- Local church ministry training is embedded within our programs.
- We provide experiential learning opportunities through church and para-church ministries.
Master of Theology (Th.M.) – Church History Degree Information
- Residential
- 30 total credit hours
- Transfer up to 50% of your credits
- This program falls under John W. Rawlings School of Divinity
- Download and view the Degree Completion Plan
- Find more information in our course catalog
Career Opportunities for Master of Theology (Th.M.) – Church History Graduates
- Bible instructor
- Church administrator
- Missionary
- Professor
- Teaching pastor
Admission Requirements for Postgraduate Degrees
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Admission application
- Official Master of Divinity transcripts with a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Self-certification form for students in the final term of their Master of Divinity degree
- John W. Rawlings School of Divinity questionnaire
- Pastoral recommender contact information
- Current Liberty undergraduate students seeking preliminary acceptance into a postgraduate program must complete a degree completion application through their ASIST account
