In existence since 1871, Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, provides a comprehensive education to those seeking an interdenominational Christian school. In addition to its seminary, there are more than 100 academic programs from which to choose. Bethel's seminary is one of the largest accredited seminaries in the nation, with 1,400 students. The school offers Master of Arts degrees in theological studies, Christian education, Christian thought and marriage and family therapy, among others.
Louisiana Baptist University and Theological Seminary was founded in 1973 and provides an option for those seeking a distance education with a conservative faith. The seminary offers master's degrees in ministry, theology, divinity and theological studies. A Doctor of Theology degree is also available. The school aims to assist mid-career ministers in earning an advanced degree without having to leave their home church. Master's programs take between 30 and 90 credits to complete, depending upon the course of study.
The Jewish Theological Seminary of New York focuses on conservative Judaism and encompasses a graduate school, rabbinical school, cantorial school and Jewish education school. All incoming freshman take classes in conservative Judaism and faith and spirituality. Undergraduates and graduate students can major in subjects such as Jewish thought, Talmud and rabbinics, Bible and ancient Judaism. Students in the rabbinical school take five years to complete the curriculum, with an internship at a temple required during the fourth year of study.
In existence since 1993, Virginia Theological University opened as a nondenominational research and teaching school with an emphasis on teaching comparative religion. In the years prior to the events of 9/11, the school focused on teaching Christianity, Judaism and Islam, but has since shifted its focus primarily to Islam. All classes are taught through distance education, which students can complete at their own paces. Degrees offered include a bachelor in theological counseling, Master of Theology in religious philosophy and a Doctor of Theology in theological counseling. Sample classes for studies in theology include Islamic History, Early Christianity and early American thought. Students receive assignments by email and can log on the school's Intranet to correspond with other students in the class.