Who We Are

In 1971, the Reverend Jerry Falwell dreamed about world change. He envisioned a generation of professionals in every field who loved God, served others, and were the best at whatever they were called to be. He saw a university on a mountain where this training could happen—and he started to build it.

Liberty University has been pioneering distance education (now online education) since 1985 and was founded to develop Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact the world.

More than 50 years later, Liberty University is an accredited evangelical liberal arts institution with 15 colleges and schools, over 100,000 students, and 700+ programs of study from the certificate to the doctoral level.

Choosing Liberty to pursue your online college degree or certificate program means you are earning your online degree from a university whose online programs are widely recognized for academic quality, affordability, and accessibility. Liberty is committed to Training Champions for Christ around the world by offering online degree programs in a wide variety of subject areas.

More than that, Liberty University trains pilots, counselors, CEOs, nurses, teachers, artists, law enforcement personnel, pastors—professionals in almost every field who love God, serve others in their communities, and are the best at what they are called to be.

Emphasizing just the right balance between academic theory, research, and hands-on training, Liberty’s unique approach to education means that you can be prepared to not only succeed in your profession of choice but also to adapt and thrive in a constantly changing marketplace.

At Liberty University, you’ll be equipped to do your job ethically and with excellence. Gain the critical thinking, research, data analysis, and communication skills you need to become an essential contributor in your field and the kind of leader who inspires others.

Hard work, courage, and integrity define our faith, so we don’t just equip students with a degree — we Train Champions for Christ who impact the world. 

Online Programs – An Extension of Our Mission and Our Campus

What started as a vision for a thriving university in Virginia has now spread across the world. Online education programs have been growing in popularity, but Liberty University has been paving the way in distance education since the mid-1980s. Our program began in 1985 as the Liberty University School of Lifelong Learning because we recognized that through distance education, many students were able to work while attending school for the first time.

Our distance education programs started as correspondence courses. Liberty would mail VHS tapes loaded with course content to students, and students would send back in assignments and tests overseen by a proctor. The internet boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s made it possible for Liberty to offer Christian college degree programs exclusively online.

Today, students access their course content in Canvas: Liberty’s online learning platform. Tests and assignments that once had to be mailed back to our Virginia campus are now submitted online from students across the globe. Liberty’s state-of-the-art digital resources allow students to connect with classmates as well as access the best in academic resources, including over 750,000 electronic books, journals, and peer-reviewed articles. Students also have access to the Online Writing Center and various online student communities.

You are always welcome to come and explore Liberty’s campus in Lynchburg, Va. On-campus  intensive classes, Homecoming, and Commencement are wonderful events to participate in as an online student and provide opportunities for you to connect with your school. But even if you don’t, know that the most important thing we build here is changed lives — at Liberty, you’ll benefit from nearly 40 years of learning, growing, adapting, and innovating for the distance learner and more than a decade of researching the needs of the online student. You can be confident that we’ve taken the time to learn what’s important to you.

Students from all walks of life choose Liberty to complete their online college degree program because our online programs are taught from a Christian worldview. Our late-founder Dr. Jerry Falwell used to say, “If it’s Christian, it ought to be better.”

Today, Liberty offers hundreds of programs of study and specializations in a flexible online college program format. With quality online undergraduate certificates, graduate certificates, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Tens of thousands of students from around the globe seeking the best online college have decided to pursue their education through one of Liberty’s quality online degree programs.

Transferring into One of Liberty’s Online College Degree Programs is a Simple Process

We understand that you have worked hard for the college credit you have earned and desire to transfer as much as you can toward your degree. Liberty offers free transfer evaluations for students considering one of our online college degree programs. Continue your education with credit for prior learning and experience, such as military training, law enforcement experience, specific professional licenses, and other life experience. Transferring to one of Liberty’s online college programs will be a simple way to pursue your education with the flexibility you need at a price you can afford.

Liberty University is a nonprofit university, which means we work hard to keep tuition prices low to make your online education affordable. Tuition for our online degrees has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university. We do not distribute our surplus funds to owners or shareholders, but instead, we use them to reinvest in technology and student support services to improve our residential and online academic programs.

Many of our online degree programs have earned additional program-specific accreditation. Earning your degree through one of our online college programs provides the same accreditation you would receive if you decided to move your life and family to Lynchburg, Va. to complete one of our residential degrees.

A Trusted Support Network of Academic Advisors from a Christian University You Can Trust

Our devoted Christian academic advisors in our online degree programs, along with state-of-the-art online education support services and career guidance, are here to help you at every step of completing your online degree program. Liberty University’s Christian staff and online college professors provide you with the tools necessary to complete your online degree and succeed in your future. See Liberty’s academic resources for online students to see how we can help you succeed.

Our Faculty

Being a Christian university doesn’t mean we only offer Bible college programs.

Liberty offers hundreds of degrees including undergraduate and graduate certificates as well as associate, bachelor’s, graduate, and doctoral programs in fields such as cyber security, business, and education. If you’re interested in an online Bible college program, the Willmington School of the Bible may be a great option for you.

The faculty who will mentor you at Liberty are distinguished men and women with years of real-world experience, advanced degrees from some of the world’s most respected schools, and a strong commitment to the Christian faith.

Each member of our faculty is dedicated to mentorship and to helping students become leaders in their field. They combine academic excellence with robust Christian faith and are determined to help you do the same. 

Our Graduates

Your degree won’t just change your life — you’ll use it to change others’ lives. At Liberty, we’ll help you with the details of your education so that you can get your degree and all the benefits that come with it. All of our courses are taught from a biblical perspective. We don’t just train skilled professionals — we train exceptional professionals who want to make a difference. Our mission is to develop Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for impacting the world.

Graduates leave Liberty skilled and confident, ready to serve others and make a lasting impact on their profession. Recruiters from companies including Apple, Google, IBM, and KPMG actively seek out Liberty alumni because integrity, personal discipline, compassion, and versatility are the hallmarks of a Liberty education. We also offer a strong online community where you can connect with classmates and build an academic and professional network — connections that will help you throughout your degree program and beyond.

Our vision for you extends past graduation. Getting the right job often requires both a good education and effective networking — Liberty helps you with both. Our Career Center is here to help you find the career that’s right for you. You’ll have access to services such as résumé critiquing, online career fairs, and externship and internship opportunities. And our LU Network connects job seekers like you with employers around the world. 

Apply Today to Begin Your Journey at a Top Online Christian University!

Join the mission of Liberty University and see the value of Christian education for yourself. Start on the path toward continuing your education through one of Liberty University’s online college degree programs.

Liberty is, in every way, a world-class institution of higher learning devoted to preparing you for success in all aspects of life.

We understand the impact of investing in your online education and believe that pursuing one of our online degree programs will be a beneficial move for your plans and career. Transform your life with a degree from one of Liberty University’s online college programs.

Read more about Liberty University’s online program strengths.