State guide · South Central · Reviewed August 2026

Theology, Ministry, and Christian Education Programs in Texas

255 programs at 31 institutions across Texas, covering theology, biblical studies, ministry, Christian education, counseling, and missions. Every listing links to the institution's own page.

AI summary

Texas has 31 institutions in our database offering 255 theology, ministry, and Christian education programs, 92 with a documented online option and 19 Master of Divinity programs. Programs concentrate in Waco, Dallas, Conroe, Abilene, and other locations. The largest theological education market in the country, with Dallas Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist, Baylor Truett, Austin Presbyterian, and enormous Spanish-language ministry demand statewide. Prominent traditions: Southern Baptist, Roman Catholic, Latino Protestant, Churches of Christ, nondenominational. 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 Texas

The largest theological education market in the country, with Dallas Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist, Baylor Truett, Austin Presbyterian, and enormous Spanish-language ministry demand statewide.

The traditions with the strongest institutional presence here are southern baptist, roman catholic, latino protestant, churches of christ, nondenominational. 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 Texas

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 studies89
Ministry and pastoral studies123
Christian counseling9
Christian education8
Missions and intercultural25
Apologetics and philosophy2
By credential

Degree levels offered

Certificate15
Associate8
Bachelor73
Master137
Doctorate22

Programs in Texas, 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

Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) in Congregational Ministry

Baylor University

School or department
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Location
Waco, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master of Arts in Chaplaincy and Ministry Care - Chaplaincy and Counseling

Dallas Theological Seminary

School or department
See program page
Location
Dallas, Texas
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master of Arts in Theological Studies - Biblical Studies, Pastoral Leadership

Dallas Baptist University

School or department
College of Christian Faith
Location
Dallas, Texas
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master

Master of Ministry (MM) in Ministry Leadership

Grace School of Theology

School or department
See program page
Location
Conroe, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master of Arts in Christian Ministry - Ministerial Leadership

Abilene Christian University

School or department
Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry
Location
Abilene, Texas
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Mission, Ministry and Leadership

Austin Graduate School of Theology

School or department
School of Bible/Ministry
Location
Austin, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Doctorate · Online available

Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Leaderships

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

School or department
See program page
Location
Waxahachie, Texas
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Doctorate

Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)

Southern Methodist University

School or department
Perkins School of Theology
Location
Dallas, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Master

Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry (M.A.T.M.)

Brite Divinity School

School or department
Divinity School
Location
Fort Worth, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Doctorate

Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in African American Pastoral Leadership

Oblate School of Theology

School or department
See program page
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Master

Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology

Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary

School or department
See program page
Location
Jacksonville, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Doctorate

Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Missional Leadership

Houston Graduate School of Theology

School or department
See program page
Location
Houston, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership

East Texas Baptist University

School or department
Department of Christian Ministry
Location
Marshall, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Master

Master of Divinity (MDiv) in Public Theology

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

School or department
See program page
Location
Austin, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Master

Master of Divinity (MDiv) - Biblical Languages

Houston Christian University

School or department
Department of Theology
Location
Houston, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Graduate certificate

Graduate Certificate in Children's Ministry

Lubbock Christian University

School or department
Graduate School of Theology
Location
Lubbock, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Master

Master of Divinity (MDiv) in Chaplaincy

Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest

School or department
See program page
Location
Austin, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Bachelor · Online available

Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and Ministry

LeTourneau University

School or department
School of Theology and Vocation
Location
Longview, Texas
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Theology

University of St Thomas

School or department
Department of Theology
Location
Houston, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Master

Dual B.A. in Biblical Studies and M.A. in Biblical and Practical Theology

Global Christian University

School or department
See program page
Location
Dallas, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Science in Biblical Counseling

College of Biblical Studies-Houston

School or department
See program page
Location
Houston, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education - Ministry Leadership

Howard Payne University

School or department
School of Christian Studies
Location
Brownwood, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Graduate certificate · Online available

Graduate Certificate in Biblical Studies

St. Mary's University

School or department
Department of Theology
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor · Online available

Bachelor of Art Biblical and Theological Studies

Baptist University of the Americas

School or department
See program page
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master of Arts in Theological and Biblical Studies

Criswell College

School or department
See program page
Location
Dallas, Texas
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Science in Music - Worship Leadership

Hardin-Simmons University

School or department
Logsdon School of Theology
Location
Abilene, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Associate

Associate of Arts in Ministry

Christ Mission College

School or department
See program page
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Religious and Theological Studies

Saint Edward's University

School or department
Department of Religious and Theological Studies
Location
Austin, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Theology

Texas Lutheran University

School or department
Department of Theology
Location
Seguin, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Associate

Associate of Arts in Christian Ministry

Messenger College

School or department
See program page
Location
Euless, Texas
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Every program we track in Texas

The ranking above shows one entry per institution. This is the complete list: all 255 programs in our database for Texas, grouped by institution, each linked directly to the official program page. If a seminary offers twelve credentials, all twelve are here.

Dallas Theological Seminary (36 programs)

Dallas, Texas

Abilene Christian University (23 programs)

Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry · Abilene, Texas

Houston Christian University (16 programs)

Department of Theology · Houston, Texas

Dallas Baptist University (15 programs)

College of Christian Faith · Dallas, Texas

Austin Graduate School of Theology (13 programs)

School of Bible/Ministry · Austin, Texas

Grace School of Theology (13 programs)

Conroe, Texas

Baylor University (12 programs)

George W. Truett Theological Seminary · Waco, Texas

Oblate School of Theology (12 programs)

San Antonio, Texas

Houston Graduate School of Theology (11 programs)

Houston, Texas

Southwestern Assemblies of God University (10 programs)

Waxahachie, Texas

Howard Payne University (8 programs)

School of Christian Studies · Brownwood, Texas

LeTourneau University (8 programs)

School of Theology and Vocation · Longview, Texas

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (7 programs)

Austin, Texas

Brite Divinity School (7 programs)

Divinity School · Fort Worth, Texas

East Texas Baptist University (7 programs)

Department of Christian Ministry · Marshall, Texas

Lubbock Christian University (7 programs)

Graduate School of Theology · Lubbock, Texas

Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary (6 programs)

Jacksonville, Texas

Criswell College (6 programs)

Dallas, Texas

Southern Methodist University (6 programs)

Perkins School of Theology · Dallas, Texas

Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest (5 programs)

Austin, Texas

Global Christian University (5 programs)

Dallas, Texas

College of Biblical Studies-Houston (4 programs)

Houston, Texas

St. Mary's University (4 programs)

Department of Theology · San Antonio, Texas

Hardin-Simmons University (3 programs)

Logsdon School of Theology · Abilene, Texas

Christ Mission College (2 programs)

San Antonio, Texas

Jacksonville College-Main Campus (2 programs)

Jacksonville, Texas

Messenger College (2 programs)

Euless, Texas

University of St Thomas (2 programs)

Department of Theology · Houston, Texas

Baptist University of the Americas (1 program)

San Antonio, Texas

Saint Edward's University (1 program)

Department of Religious and Theological Studies · Austin, Texas

Texas Lutheran University (1 program)

Department of Theology · Seguin, Texas

Ordination and credentialing for Texas ministers

Unlike professions regulated by state boards, ministry credentials are granted by denominations rather than by the state. There is no Texas 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 Texas’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 Texas 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 Texas?

Our database currently tracks 255 programs at 31 institutions in Texas, spanning theology, biblical studies, ministry, Christian education, counseling, missions, and apologetics. 92 carry a documented online option, and 19 are Master of Divinity programs.

Can I be ordained in Texas 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 Texas?

Southern Baptist, Roman Catholic, Latino Protestant, Churches of Christ, nondenominational. This matters practically, because ordination requirements, placement systems, and which institutions are recognized all vary by tradition. The largest theological education market in the country, with Dallas Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist, Baylor Truett, Austin Presbyterian, and enormous Spanish-language ministry demand statewide.

What do ministry roles pay in Texas?

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 Texas 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 Texas state licensing board. Our database covers 2,842 programs nationally and is not exhaustive.