Bible colleges are a great option for students who want a faith-based education. This could mean education in preparation for a ministry career, like becoming a pastor or a pastoral counselor, or it can simply mean earning a more general degree (like English or music) in a religious environment. Either way, if you're considering bible colleges, there are both online and campus programs offered to students that might be right for you. Here's a quick guide to how these types of programs differ and which one is right for you.

Educational Value

At one time, online programs were considered to be not as valuable as traditional programs, but today, thousands of students are graduating from these programs with degrees that are just as valuable as those earned at campus programs. The key here is accreditation. Whether you go to a bible college online or offline, look for a Bible college that has been accredited by either a national or regional accrediting agency. This will ensure that the education you receive is adequately preparing you to work in your field of choice.

Flexibility

One of the main advantages to going to Bible college online is the flexibility these types of programs offer. Instead of attending classes three times a week or whatever may be the case with a traditional program, you'll instead log on and complete your coursework whenever it is convenient for you, be that in the early morning before you kids are awake or on your train commute home from work in the evenings. You also have the flexibility to do work from anywhere, so you could be "at class" while at the park with your family or during your lunch hour at work - or even in bed!

Community

Many students choose to attend Bible college over a secular school because of the faith-based community these schools offer. When you go to school online, you still do receive education with a religious spin, but there are usually fewer options in terms of student activities and groups you can join. Online, you get a lot of freedom to work independently, but if you're craving a close-knit community, a campus program might be the better option.

Cost

Every program is different, but the average online Bible college program is less expensive than the average campus Bible college program. When you go to school online, you don't have to pay for room and board (rent and groceries on your own is usually much cheaper), and your tuition is lower to reflect that you're not using campus facilities, participating in student activities, etc. For students on a budget, the lower cost of online colleges is certain a major draw.

Keep in mind, however, that campus programs typically offer more scholarships and grants for students. You can still apply for financial aid for online schools through outside programs, but the coll

Professor Access

Students considering online school are often worried about not having a connection with professors - but this is usually not a problem. While you can't pop into your professor's offer during typical office hours, virtual professors are connected to you 24/7 via email to answer you questions, and many have "office hours" via chat applications, so you can be assured that they're available to answer your questions in real time.

In addition, online, you'll have access to professors who are based around the world. This means you can take a class taught by the best professor in the respective field, even if that professor doesn't live locally. However, keep on mind that with all of your professors, you won't have as much hands-on learning, so if you're someone who values this close connection, online college might not be the best option for you.

Program Availability

While online Bible colleges are becoming more and more common, some programs still are only available at typical campus colleges. Others might have a few classes available online, but you still have to complete your degree at a campus college. It depends on your major and what you want in a program. In some fields, complete courses are readily available online. In other fields, there are very few educational options online.

Youth ministry can be fun…or it can be frustrating. No matter how you feel about youth ministry, it’s nice to know that a supportive network is available via blogs, education, tools and volunteers. The following top 50 blogs by youth ministers includes all that help and more…as ministers-in-training or youth workers who have been in… Read the full article →

If you want to study The Bible, you can do it the hard way with concordances, a few Bibles and reference books. Or, you can use one of the twenty search engines listed below. These search engines range from simple searches to portals that contain commentary and reference materials to entire directories that can take… Read the full article →

One of the great things about technology is the access it gives you to a number of resources. Indeed, there are a great many web resources that can help you in your study of scripture. Ancient scripture has been brought into the 21st Century with the help of computers and the Internet, and you can… Read the full article →

If you think of Christian history professors, you may think to look in divinity schools. But, not all professors work within Christian colleges. Some of the most influential history of religion professors may be digging in the sand in a Mediterranean desert or he or she may be hired by a Christian college, but have… Read the full article →

Top 50 Christian Video Sites

October 28, 2010

As with any other study, the Internet is home to Christian videos that can inform, educate and expand your knowledge about Christianity, Bible studies and the Christian way of life. The following top 50 Christian video sites include portals that contain videos, video sites that contain a wide variety of video options, sermons and Bible… Read the full article →

The Bible is an interesting book, filled with stories about God’s dealings with man. The Bible offers interesting information and religious truth for Bible scholars and non-scholars alike. Understanding the Bible takes years of study, something that is not surprising, considering the many complexities of the Bible, from its historical record, to its parables, to… Read the full article →

If you are a Christian who loves a good debate, or who is seeking knowledge or companionship online, you have plenty of opportunity for all that and more through Christian forums. The following top 50 Christian forums on the Web range from formats that accept and address all Christian faiths to forums focused on specific… Read the full article →

If you haven’t made Android your major mobile device, perhaps the following Bible study apps for may convince you to go that route. From complete Bibles to study aids and from quizzes and online Christian communities, these twenty-five essential Android apps for Bible study represent just the tip of the Bible-study iceberg. About ninety-nine percent… Read the full article →

Top 50 Biblical History Blogs

February 08, 2010

Learning the Bible takes more than scripture memorization. Other keys to understand Biblical history include languages, interpretations and archaeological studies as well as a focus on culture, history in general and the variety of interpretations you may encounter. With that information in mind, the following list of top fifty Biblical history blogs were written by… Read the full article →