State guide · West Coast · Reviewed August 2026

Theology, Ministry, and Christian Education Programs in California

254 programs at 41 institutions across California, covering theology, biblical studies, ministry, Christian education, counseling, and missions. Every listing links to the institution's own page.

AI summary

California has 41 institutions in our database offering 254 theology, ministry, and Christian education programs, 114 with a documented online option and 35 Master of Divinity programs. Programs concentrate in La Mirada, San Diego, Irvine, Van Nuys, and other locations. The deepest theological education market in the western United States, with Fuller, Biola, Talbot, Azusa Pacific, and a wide multilingual ministry demand across Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and the Central Valley. Prominent traditions: Roman Catholic, evangelical nondenominational, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Korean American and Latino Protestant. Ordination is granted by denominations rather than by the state, so requirements vary by tradition rather than by location. Nationally, our 2026 survey of 1,083 graduates found 82 percent placed within 9 months, with median Master of Divinity compensation of $65,000. Last reviewed August 2026.

The ministry landscape in California

The deepest theological education market in the western United States, with Fuller, Biola, Talbot, Azusa Pacific, and a wide multilingual ministry demand across Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and the Central Valley.

The traditions with the strongest institutional presence here are roman catholic, evangelical nondenominational, presbyterian, pentecostal, korean american and latino protestant. This matters more than prospective students usually realize. Your denomination determines the education requirement for ordination, which institutions it recognizes, whether congregations call you directly or a regional body appoints you, and what pension and benefits structure you will accrue. Choosing a school before establishing those things is the most common sequencing error in theological education.

What is available in California

Programs are grouped below by subject and by credential level, so you can see the shape of what the state offers before you look at individual institutions. Categories overlap, since a single program frequently carries more than one subject classification.

By subject

Program categories

Biblical studies80
Ministry and pastoral studies87
Christian counseling14
Christian education5
Missions and intercultural5
Apologetics and philosophy22
By credential

Degree levels offered

Certificate27
Associate10
Bachelor75
Master108
Doctorate33

Programs in California, ranked

One entry per institution, ordered by Theology Program Quality Index score. Where an institution offers several relevant programs, we show its strongest and the complete list appears further down this page. Full scoring detail is on the methodology page.

Master · Online available

Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Leadership - Biblical and Pastoral Ministry Concentration

Biola University

School or department
Talbot School of Theology
Location
La Mirada, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Doctorate

Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Biblical and Theological Engagement

Bethel Seminary-San Diego

School or department
See program page
Location
San Diego, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master of Arts in Theology - Greek and Non-Greek Tracks

Concordia University-Irvine

School or department
Church Work and Theology Department
Location
Irvine, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor · Online available

Bachelor of Ministry Leadership (BML) - Pastoral Ministry

King's University

School or department
See program page
Location
Van Nuys, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Doctorate

Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Counseling

The Master's University and Seminary

School or department
School of Biblical Studies
Location
Santa Clarita, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Certificate

Certificate in Biblical Language

Hope International University

School or department
Pacific Christian College of Ministry And Biblical Studies
Location
Fullerton, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry

Fuller Theological Seminary

School or department
School of Mission and Theology
Location
Pasadena, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor · Online available

Bachelor of Arts in Theology - Ministry and Leadership Concentration

Vanguard University of Southern California

School or department
Theology Department
Location
Costa Mesa, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master of Arts in Christian Ministry

Point Loma Nazarene University

School or department
School of Theology and Christian Ministry
Location
San Diego, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor · Online available

Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies / Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies

Southern California Seminary

School or department
Bible and Theology Department
Location
El Cajon, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Doctorate

Doctor of Ministry

University of Redlands

School or department
Graduate School of Theology
Location
Redlands, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Bachelor · Online available

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Professional Studies - Biblical Counseling Concentration

Shasta Bible College and Graduate School

School or department
See program page
Location
Redding, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master

Master of Divinity - Biblical Studies Emphasis

Azusa Pacific University

School or department
Department of Theology
Location
Azusa, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Doctorate · Online available

Doctor of Ministry

Epic Bible College & Graduate School

School or department
See program page
Location
Sacramento, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Doctorate

Doctor of Ministry in Christian Counseling and Spiritual Formation (DMin in CCSF)

World Mission University

School or department
See program page
Location
Los Angeles, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Certificate

Certificate of Advanced Theological Studies

California Lutheran University

School or department
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
Location
Thousand Oaks, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Bachelor · Online available

Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and Leadership

Life Pacific College

School or department
See program page
Location
San Dimas, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Doctorate · Online available

Doctor of Ministry

Berkeley School of Theology

School or department
See program page
Location
Berkeley, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Sacred Theology

Santa Clara University

School or department
Jesuit School of Theology
Location
Santa Clara, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Associate

Associate of Arts in Theology and Ministry (AATM)

SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary

School or department
See program page
Location
El Dorado Hills, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Doctorate

Doctor of Ministry

Bethesda University of California

School or department
Theology Department
Location
Anaheim, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Graduate certificate · Online available

Graduate Certificate in Ministry

William Jessup University

School or department
School of Theology and Leadership
Location
Rocklin, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Doctorate · Online available

Doctor of Ministry

Claremont School of Theology

School or department
See program page
Location
Claremont, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master of Arts in Ministry, Leadership and Culture

Fresno Pacific University

School or department
School of Humanities, Religion and Social Sciences
Location
Fresno, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

M.A. in Pastoral Ministry

St. John's Seminary

School or department
See program page
Location
Camarillo, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master

Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership

Simpson University

School or department
See program page
Location
Redding, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counseling (BACC)

Grace Mission University

School or department
See program page
Location
Fullerton, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Master

Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology

Loyola Marymount University

School or department
Theological Studies Department
Location
Los Angeles, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Doctorate

Doctorate in Theology and Ethics - Christian Theology Concentration

Graduate Theological Union

School or department
Department of Theology and Ethics
Location
Berkeley, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Certificate

Certificate in Asian and Pacific Islander Catholic Ministry

Franciscan School of Theology

School or department
See program page
Location
San Diego, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Every program we track in California

The ranking above shows one entry per institution. This is the complete list: all 254 programs in our database for California, grouped by institution, each linked directly to the official program page. If a seminary offers twelve credentials, all twelve are here.

King's University (32 programs)

Van Nuys, California

Biola University (14 programs)

Talbot School of Theology · La Mirada, California

Graduate Theological Union (14 programs)

Department of Theology and Ethics · Berkeley, California

Hope International University (13 programs)

Pacific Christian College of Ministry And Biblical Studies · Fullerton, California

Bethel Seminary-San Diego (12 programs)

San Diego, California

World Mission University (11 programs)

Los Angeles, California

Azusa Pacific University (10 programs)

Department of Theology · Azusa, California

The Master's University and Seminary (9 programs)

School of Biblical Studies · Santa Clarita, California

Life Pacific College (8 programs)

San Dimas, California

Shasta Bible College and Graduate School (8 programs)

Redding, California

Southern California Seminary (8 programs)

Bible and Theology Department · El Cajon, California

Concordia University-Irvine (7 programs)

Church Work and Theology Department · Irvine, California

Epic Bible College & Graduate School (7 programs)

Sacramento, California

Santa Clara University (7 programs)

Jesuit School of Theology · Santa Clara, California

Fresno Pacific University (6 programs)

School of Humanities, Religion and Social Sciences · Fresno, California

Fuller Theological Seminary (6 programs)

School of Mission and Theology · Pasadena, California

Vanguard University of Southern California (6 programs)

Theology Department · Costa Mesa, California

Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology (5 programs)

Berkeley, California

Grace Mission University (5 programs)

Fullerton, California

Pacific School of Religion (5 programs)

Berkeley, California

Simpson University (5 programs)

Redding, California

SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary (5 programs)

El Dorado Hills, California

Berkeley School of Theology (4 programs)

Berkeley, California

California Lutheran University (4 programs)

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary · Thousand Oaks, California

Claremont School of Theology (4 programs)

Claremont, California

Franciscan School of Theology (4 programs)

San Diego, California

University of Redlands (4 programs)

Graduate School of Theology · Redlands, California

Westminster Theological Seminary in California (4 programs)

Escondido, California

Bethesda University of California (3 programs)

Theology Department · Anaheim, California

La Sierra University (3 programs)

Riverside, California

Point Loma Nazarene University (3 programs)

School of Theology and Christian Ministry · San Diego, California

St. John's Seminary (3 programs)

Camarillo, California

John Paul the Great Catholic University (2 programs)

San Diego, California

Loyola Marymount University (2 programs)

Theological Studies Department · Los Angeles, California

Pacific Union College (2 programs)

Angwin, California

Pepperdine University (2 programs)

Religion and Philosophy Division · Malibu, California

San Diego Christian College (2 programs)

El Cajon, California

William Jessup University (2 programs)

School of Theology and Leadership · Rocklin, California

Church Divinity School of the Pacific (1 program)

Berkeley, California

Starr King School for Ministry (1 program)

Berkeley, California

University of San Francisco (1 program)

College of Arts and Sciences · San Francisco, California

Ordination and credentialing for California ministers

Unlike professions regulated by state boards, ministry credentials are granted by denominations rather than by the state. There is no California license to be a pastor. What exists is your tradition’s ordination process, and it is typically a multi-year sequence running alongside your degree rather than after it.

Most processes include candidacy status with a local governing body, psychological assessment, a background check, a supervised internship, written examinations in Bible, theology, church history, polity, and sacraments, an oral examination, and a final vote. Candidates who enter candidacy in their first year of seminary generally complete ordination within months of graduating. Candidates who begin in their final year commonly add one to three years.

Two credentials are state-regulated and worth distinguishing. Professional counseling licensure is granted by California’s licensing board and requires an approved graduate degree plus supervised clinical hours, which a ministry degree generally does not satisfy. Christian school teaching frequently requires a state teaching credential. Both are covered in our credential guides.

Where California graduates work

Employment concentrates in five places in nearly every state: congregations, Christian schools, hospital and hospice systems employing chaplains, faith-based nonprofits and relief organizations, and denominational or judicatory offices. The middle three are consistently overlooked by prospective students who picture only the first.

Nationally, our 2026 survey found pastoral ministry accounted for 28 percent of placements, Christian education 18 percent, and chaplaincy 15 percent. Christian education and chaplaincy together absorb a third of all graduates while receiving a small share of the attention at recruitment events. In any state with a significant hospital system or a network of Christian schools, those are the roles hiring most consistently.

Frequently asked questions

How many theology and ministry programs are there in California?

Our database currently tracks 254 programs at 41 institutions in California, spanning theology, biblical studies, ministry, Christian education, counseling, missions, and apologetics. 114 carry a documented online option, and 35 are Master of Divinity programs.

Can I be ordained in California with an online degree?

Ordination is granted by your denomination rather than by a state or a school, so the answer depends entirely on your tradition rather than on your location. Most denominations accept accredited online degrees, and the majority of established seminaries now run online or hybrid programs themselves. Confirm in writing with your denomination’s credentialing office before you enroll, and verify accreditation with the accrediting body rather than with the institution.

What denominations have the strongest presence in California?

Roman Catholic, evangelical nondenominational, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Korean American and Latino Protestant. This matters practically, because ordination requirements, placement systems, and which institutions are recognized all vary by tradition. The deepest theological education market in the western United States, with Fuller, Biola, Talbot, Azusa Pacific, and a wide multilingual ministry demand across Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and the Central Valley.

What do ministry roles pay in California?

Our 2026 survey of 1,083 graduates found national median compensation of $48,000 at bachelor level and $65,000 for a Master of Divinity. Local figures track congregation size and regional cost of living more than credential level. Note that many pastoral packages separate salary from a designated housing allowance treated differently for tax purposes, which makes headline figures non-comparable between offers.

Where do California theology graduates typically work?

Nationally, our 2026 research found pastoral ministry took 28 percent of graduates, Christian education 18 percent, chaplaincy 15 percent, missions 12 percent, counseling 10 percent, and nonprofit leadership 8 percent. Locally the mix follows the denominational landscape and the presence of hospital systems, Christian schools, and faith-based nonprofits, all of which are significant employers that prospective students routinely overlook.

Explore more

Careers

Ministry career guides

Ten roles with compensation, education pathways, credential requirements, and an honest account of the work.

 Rankings

All fourteen rankings

By degree level, by specialization, and by delivery format, all drawn from the same database and the same index.

 All states

Programs in other states

Compare program availability, denominational landscape, and regional ministry context across all 50 states and DC.
Verify before you decide: program availability, tuition, delivery format, accreditation, and admission requirements change. Each listing links to the institution’s own page, which is the authoritative source. Ordination requirements must be confirmed with your denomination, and counseling licensure requirements with the California state licensing board. Our database covers 2,842 programs nationally and is not exhaustive.