Support and inspire others with an associate degree in theology

Religion has had a significant impact on the development of our cultures, laws, and even our nations, making theology one of the oldest and most influential industries of all time. If you're looking for a meaningful career helping and supporting people spiritually, consider earning an associate degree in theology.

Common theology careers

While clergy is often the career most closely linked to theology, it is only one of many. Earning your associate degree in theology can open up doors to a number of different careers, but most typically have a common goal: helping those in need. Popular careers for those with theology degrees include:

• Clergy, chaplain
• Church, community director
• Counselor
• Teacher
• Political Leader

An associate degree in theology alone may limit your career options to clergy or similar church worker, so many choose to pursue higher degrees, including bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees in religious studies.

Licensure or ordination

Depending on their ultimate career goals, many theology degree holders must be certified to work. In the case of clergy, most pastors, rabbis, or priests must meet certain criteria set by their affiliated churches to become ordained. Those who want to become teachers must often earn teacher certifications. Finally, those who hope to become social workers or counselors must typically be licensed by the states in which they work.

Salary and employment outlook for theology graduates

Because career fields for those with theology degrees are so diverse, salaries vary tremendously. In general, however, earnings tend to improve with ongoing education. That means that while earning your associate degree in theology can get your foot in the door, you'll likely earn more with ongoing education.

The following details mean wage and occupational outlook data for some of the most common theology careers, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2009.

• Clergy: $46,960. The BLS does not provide projections data for clergy professionals at this time.
• Post-secondary Religious Studies Teachers: $67,610. Positions for post-secondary religious studies educators are expected to grow by 15 percent between 2008 and 2018--faster than the national average.
• Counselors: $49,020. Employment for counselors is expected to grow by 21 percent between 2008 and 2018--much faster than the national average.

What to expect while earning your associate degree in theology

While theology is the study of any religion, those earning theology degrees often focus on one particular faith or denomination. Theology students' interests are typically either academic or spiritual. Those with an academic interest in theology often become teachers, historians or the like. Those who pursue theology for spiritual reasons often hope to understand their faiths on a deeper level so that they can enter the clergy or social service occupations. In both cases, students typically learn the history and basic principles of the faith they're studying.

Earn an online associate degree in theology

Because theology isn't typically as hands-on discipline, it's well suited for online learning. That means you can earn an online associate degree in theology at home, on your own terms. Those who would prefer to earn theology degrees from a campus-based school often find they have a number of choices available to them.

Find financial aid

Fortunately, a number of schools offering theology degrees accept financial aid. You can begin by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid free online.

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