Are you interested in an online seminary degree? There are many important factors to consider when choosing an online seminary. This article gives a brief overview of some of the key considerations in this decision.

The most important factor to consider is online seminary accreditation. When you search for seminaries on the Internet, you will find a number of seminaries that state they are accredited. However, when you look closely at their accreditation, you will often find that they are not accredited by widely recognized accreditors.

Most prospective students do not know, that some online seminaries have either received their accreditation from organizations that are reputable, or the seminaries have simply made up their own accreditation organizations.

Here is how the scam works. An online seminary knows that it needs to be “accredited” in order to attract students. So, the seminary starts its own accreditation organization. The new organization then provides accreditation to the seminary and the need for accreditation is filled.

It is important to remember that the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) is the most trusted seminary accreditation organization.

Anyone who is considering a online theology degree should first access the ATS website at www.ats.edu and review the seminaries listed. Then cross reference these seminaries with your online search for “Online Seminary.” If you find a seminary on the ATS list, mark that seminary as a good potential candidate.

Another important factor to consider is whether the seminary requires you to attend certain classes in person in order to receive the degree. If this is the case, you may need to plan on attending the seminary for at least a short period of time in order to receive your degree. If the seminary is not located close to where you live, attending classes at the seminary may pose a challenge.

Finally, it is important to look at your career objectives. If God has called you to ministry, and you will be participating in an independent ministry, a large number of online programs may be adequate.

However, if you are planning on a career in well-established church organizations or denominations, you will want to contact prospective employers and inquire about their prerequisites for hiring.

You may find that your prospective employers only require a calling in order to minister. On the other hand, you may find that your prospective employers require a degree from well-respected and highly accredited institution. In this case, you will want to ensure that you select an online degree that will hold a high value to prospective employers.