Christian theological colleges, just like other major universities and colleges, offer undergraduate, master and Ph.D. degrees in a variety of fields. Some institutions offer associate degrees and certificates, as well. Within each type of study, a person may choose a major that coincides with a career path. Counseling, preaching, theological studies and church administration are all examples of majors in these colleges. These programs also have different lengths, but they typically range from two to four years.
Christian theological colleges offer a range of courses. Religious texts, scholarly literature and cultural phenomenon may be included in a theological study. Some common courses in these colleges include Biblical counseling, introduction to contemporary preaching, fundamentals of church growth, pulpit communication, critical approaches to the New Testament and the Gospel of John. The courses have a range of specificity and practicality, but they all seek to prepare individuals for the field of ministry.
There are numerous Christian theological schools in the United States, but not all of them have an official accreditation. The bodies that govern and recognize accredited Christian theological institutions include the Association of Theological Schools and the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. These entities are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council of Higher Educational Accreditation.
Christian theology schools prepare individuals for a variety of career paths. Preachers, priests, clergy, youth counselors, church business administrators and counselors may all need degrees or certificates from a Christian theological college, although this requirement depends on the individual church. A recent trend shows that many students attending the seminary do not desire to work with a church, but instead hope to take their teachings with them another career field. In this way, a Christian theological college can prepare a student spiritually for any type of career.