Portland MAML Cohort
Launching in Spring 2025!
Western Seminary is partnering with churches to help equip the next generation of ministry leaders. That's why we're launching a new cohort in Portland for our MA in Ministry and Leadership degree. This cohort is uniquely designed to equip and train local church leaders within their current ministry contexts in the Northwest.
What Sets This Cohort Apart?
- Enjoy a condensed classroom format, meeting only once a month.
- Take advantage of our church matching grant to lower your tuition costs up to 40%.
- Journey through your degree alongside the same small group of students from start to finish.
- Build a theological framework that empowers decades of impactful ministry leadership.
- Be equipped and trained within your ministry context with an experienced mentor in ministry.
I have a passion for seeing the next generation of ministry leaders identified, equipped, and sent out. This degree will equip you to meet the challenges of today and help sustain you for the long term in ministry.
Tim Osborn
Portland MAML Cohort Curator
Curriculum
See Course Schedule
Year One
| Semester One | ||
|---|---|---|
| BT501 | Hermeneutics | 2 |
| BT502 | Understanding Biblical Theology | 2 |
| MF501 | Introduction to Theological Study and Ministry Formation | 2 |
| Semester Two | ||
| BL501 | Interpreting the Old Testament I: Genesis to Song of Solomon | 4 |
| CS501 | Loving God Loving Others | 2 |
| Semester Three | ||
| BL502X | Interpreting the Old Testament II: The Prophets | 2 |
| BL502Y | Interpreting the New Testament I: The Gospels | 2 |
| CS502 | Growing in Prayer and Other Key Spiritual Disciplines | 2 |
Year Two
| Semester One | ||
|---|---|---|
| BL503 | Interpreting the New Testament II: Acts-Revelation | 4 |
| ML501 | Theology and Practice of Gospel-Centered Ministry | 2 |
| Semester Two | ||
| TH501 | Theology I: Knowing the Triune God | 4 |
| ML502 | Transformational Leadership | 2 |
| Semester Three | ||
| TH502 | Theology II: Glorifying the God of Our Salvation | 4 |
| ML504 | Taking the Gospel to Diverse Cultures | 2 |
Year Three
| Semester One | ||
|---|---|---|
| TH503 | Theology III: Living as the Community of the Spirit | 4 |
| ML506 | Ministerial Ethics | 2 |
| Semester Two | ||
| TH526 | Religions of the World | 2 |
| ML507 | Gospel Responses to Contemporary Challenges | 2 |
| PT502 | Theology and Practice of Worship | 2 |
| Semester Three | ||
| CH502 | Insight and Inspiration from Church History | 2 |
| TH504 | Integrating Ministry and Theology | 2 |
Church Matching Grant
Western offers a Church Matching Grant for Portland MAML Cohort students, matching contributions from a student's partner church up to 20% of tuition for those enrolled in four or more credit hours per semester. To qualify, the supporting church must have a signed Church Match Agreement on file with the Financial Aid office and submit the matching funds by the agreed-upon contractual date.
In addition to this matching grant, students may also be eligible for need-based aid covering up to 15% of tuition. To apply for the need-based grant, students must submit a Need-Based Grant Application, and the grant amount will be calculated based on the Student Aid Index (SAI).
For more details or assistance with the application process, see our Financial Aid page or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Develop Deep Relationships
Cohort students journey together with the same group of students in their classes as part of their three-year degree program. The deep relationships developed in the cohort enable the friendship and trust for mutual growth in knowledge, character, and skills for ministry. Discussions and assignments are designed for immediate application in the students’ ministry context, enriching both the classroom and church life.
Meet Once a Month
Class meetings are conveniently scheduled once a month. Taking classes one day a month drastically reduces commute and travel time. Classes typically meet on a Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The once-a-month format also makes it manageable for commuter students, who may not live in the Portland area.
Learn from Ministry Practitioners
Cohort curator Tim Osborn, longtime pastor and church planter in the Northwest, will help guide you in applying the insights you gain in the program to the challenges of life and ministry. Teaching will also come from Western Seminary faculty in their areas of expertise on Bible and theology. You will be able to have discussion with professors as you are equipped for ministry in today’s world. In addition to the teaching professors, you will also work with an experienced cohort mentor.
Real-World Ministry Application
It is not enough to master content and learn the head knowledge. Transformative theological education encompasses the whole person. This program embraces a holistic educational model that will also include a highly personalized approach to your own formation as a student, a follower of Jesus, and a ministry leader.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Will Western find a mentor for me?
No. The expectation is that cohort students have a mentor in mind for the cohort when they apply. Western will help train your assigned mentor.
Is this an Online Program?
While there are online compenents, the once-a-month classes are in person, and the interaction is face-to-face. Professors may have students submit work online, or give information through an online portal, but these are in-person courses.
Can I web-conference into the all-day Friday class?
It is vital to have all students present for each of the four all-day Friday classes in the semester. Please talk with your cohort host and professor if for some reason you can't be there in person.
What will a course load look like time-wise?
Whether you're registered for a traditional campus course, a hybrid course (with content delivered both in the classroom and online) or an online course, you can use these metrics as general rules of thumb:
|
2 hours of out-of-class study per hour of instruction time |
15 hours of instruction time per credit |
30 hours of out-of-class study per credit |
The only difference with this standard is the classroom time lessened to one Friday per unit. This will mean that other work must substitute for that missed seat time.
How soon in advance with the schedule be posted?
You will know what the schedule will be at least one year in advance.
Will the schedule look differently in summer months?
No.
Will I receive a grade for courses?
Yes. Bible and Theology courses will be graded like any seminary course. Ministry courses will be graded by the mentor as Pass or Fail.
Students may view grades by logging in to the Student Information System at the conclusion of each semester in which course work is attempted. Courses which are assigned a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory grade are not computed in the grade point average. Transfer credits are not included in the determination of the grade point average.