Best Seminaries for Part-Time Students

Liberty Theological Seminary at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, serves as an evangelical institution offering conservative theology through extensive online and campus programs. Founded in 1973 by Jerry Falwell to promote a biblical worldview in education, the seminary is recognized for its scale as one of the largest providers of online theological education and for its ministry degrees. It is a relevant choice for students interested in integrating faith with reason, offering the Master of Divinity among other programs in Virginia's scenic hills, where learners can explore doctrinal foundations, engage with biblical culture, develop evangelistic strategies, and cultivate leadership skills.

Rockbridge Seminary, based in Springfield, Missouri, is a fully online, accredited institution founded in 2004, dedicated to developing servant leaders through distance education rooted in the Great Commandment and Great Commission. As a DEAC-accredited seminary, it serves a global student body with flexible programs designed for local church ministry, emphasizing biblical literacy and leadership skills. It offers the Master of Divinity and the Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership, preparing individuals for roles in pastoral ministry, church planting, and community outreach, with a commitment to providing affordable and accessible theological training.

Kairos University, previously known as Sioux Falls Seminary, offers theological education through a competency-based and personalized model. Recognized for its innovative online seminaries and competency theology degrees, the university provides the Master of Divinity with affordable, self-directed paths. The program includes portfolio assessments for skill demonstration, mentorship-guided projects, learning modules, and flexible timelines, supporting individualized ministry growth aligned with personal and professional contexts.

Lexington Theological Seminary, located in Lexington, Kentucky, serves as an institution affiliated with the Disciples of Christ, offering online education with a focus on justice for both lay and ordained ministry. Established in 1865, the seminary adapts to modern needs in Kentucky's bluegrass region, making it a relevant choice for students interested in online Disciples seminaries or Kentucky theological education. It provides the Master of Divinity emphasizing equity and advocacy, along with flexible pathways to service in churches, nonprofits, and community leadership.

United Theological Seminary, located in Dayton, Ohio, is a United Methodist-affiliated institution founded in 1871, committed to preparing leaders for ministry through a blend of academic excellence and practical experience in a Midwestern setting. The seminary focuses on Wesleyan theology with an emphasis on social holiness and community transformation, offering a welcoming space for students from various denominations. It offers the Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, and Doctor of Ministry, equipping individuals for roles in pastoral care, education, and nonprofit leadership with a foundation in ethical reflection and spiritual growth.

Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., is a United Methodist-affiliated institution founded in 1882, committed to preparing leaders for Christian ministry and public leadership in a capital city setting. The seminary emphasizes theological scholarship and a prophetic voice in the public square, offering the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Ministry to equip students for roles in pastoral ministry, education, and advocacy, with a focus on global and cross-cultural ministry. Its location near political and cultural hubs provides unique opportunities for engaging faith with societal issues.

Iliff School of Theology, located in Denver, Colorado, operates as a graduate theological institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church, with a focus on social justice and progressive theology. Established in 1892 to advance Methodist education in the Rockies, the school emphasizes inclusive practices and innovative approaches to faith, making it a relevant choice for students interested in Colorado progressive seminaries or programs centered on activist training. Its urban setting in Denver provides a context for exploring theology integrated with community activism and ethical frameworks in a changing world.

Meadville Lombard Theological School, located in Chicago, Illinois, serves as a Unitarian Universalist (UU) institution focused on liberal ministry with emphases on anti-oppression and progressive values. Established in 1844, the school has pioneered UU progressivism in Chicago's urban core, offering a low-residency format that supports flexible learning. It is a relevant choice for students interested in UU seminaries or progressive ministry training, providing the Master of Divinity through a portfolio model that integrates covenantal justice practices, spiritual liberation frameworks, humanist leadership development, and counter-oppression strategies.

Starr King School for the Ministry in Oakland, California, is a Unitarian Universalist seminary founded in 1904, committed to progressive theological education with a focus on counter-oppressive and multicultural ministry. As a member of the Graduate Theological Union, the school emphasizes social justice, environmental ethics, and interfaith leadership in a Bay Area campus setting. It offers the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Social Change, preparing students for roles in chaplaincy, activism, and community organizing with a commitment to inclusive spirituality.

Eden Theological Seminary, located in St. Louis, Missouri, operates as a graduate theological institution affiliated with the United Church of Christ (UCC), founded in 1850 by German Evangelical immigrants. The seminary holds accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), offering education that emphasizes progressive theology and public engagement.