Western Launching Cohorts in the Bay Area, Portland, Orange County, Sacramento, and Tulsa

June 23, 2025

To make seminary degrees more accessible to church leaders, Western Seminary is launching new cohorts in Portland, the Bay Area, Orange County (Southern California), Sacramento, and Tulsa. These five cohorts are all currently open to applicants and will begin meeting in fall 2025 or spring 2026. Students who complete the cohort will earn the MA in Ministry and Leadership in three years, and all coursework can be applied to a Master of Divinity for those desiring a second master's degree.

“The need for theological training is greater than ever,” says Dan Kimball, DMin, Associate Professor of Leadership and Theology. “These cohorts will equip you to develop the skills of theological discernment as you lead and guide people in your local church or wherever God has placed you.”

Kimball will serve as the cohort curator for the Bay Area and Orange County and cohorts. Every cohort at Western is led by a curator who provides mentorship and guidance to students, helping them apply the insights they gain in class to the challenges of life and ministry. Teaching comes from other Western faculty in their areas of expertise on Bible and theology.

Most cohorts meet once a month in an all-day intensive with occasional shorter meetings via web conference. This format drastically reduces commute and travel time, making it more accessible for church leaders who desire to remain in their ministry context. Cohort students journey together with the same group of leaders in their classes as part of their three-year degree program. The deep relationships forged in the cohort enable the friendship and trust for mutual growth in knowledge, character, and skills for ministry.

To learn more about cohort start dates and locations, visit our cohorts page.