MA in Ministry and Leadership

The Master of Arts in Ministry and Leadership degree program enables you to bring transformation to churches and parachurch organizations in a North American context through a rich biblical understanding and a refined leadership skill set. This training spans communication theory, biblical studies, theology, discipleship and spiritual formation—with the result that you'll lead and serve effectively in a wide variety of global ministry roles. While this program is a great fit for support pastors or parachurch leaders, it is not designed to prepare you for ministry roles that may require ordination.

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What Sets Our Leadership Training Apart?

• An emphasis on building a theological framework that empowers decades of impactful ministry leadership
• Survey all books of the Bible through the lens of biblical theology
• A rigorous Candidacy process, ministering to real people under the supervision of an seasoned ministry practitioner
• An Open Track allows you to build specialization as unique and missional as your call to ministry

Curriculum

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Specialize Your Leadership Studies

Increase the relevance of your training by tailoring it to your ministry context. Work with your academic advisor to develop a concentration in a given area of specialization. Specialized areas of study include (but are not limited to):

• Biblical Languages
• Biblical/Theological Studies
• Chaplaincy
• Coaching 
• Exegetical Languages 
• Pastoral Studies
• Women's Transformational Leadership

A Candidacy Process for Real-world Learning

During your Ministry Leadership Formation courses, you'll form a mentoring team within your own ministry setting, while also joining Ministry Leadership groups that work through case studies formed from students' greatest challenges in serving. This process sees you submit a portfolio of ministry experiences after completing half of your studies, combined with an assessment by your mentoring team as well as select faculty. After advancing to candidacy and completing all your courses you graduate with our promise of ministry readiness.

Accessible Scheduling

You may complete the MA in Ministry and Leadership may in a little less than two years of full-time studies through our online campus, or at any of our seminary campuses in Oregon and California, or by completing some studies at the Seattle Teaching Site in addition to final studies at any degree-granting campus. Students who live at a distance may also complete their training without the need to relocate or leave their ministry context through the following scheduling options, though their completion timeframe may be extended:

Note: Any campus-based MA in Ministry and Leadership student must complete at least 20 residency credits on campus, while the rest can be completed through online courses.

Ministry Training That Keeps Debt Down

Ministry work can bring limited financial reward. That's why we encourage wise financial stewardship as you pay for school. In fact, the average Western Seminary student graduates with an average of only $8532 in loan debt to repay. It might surprise you to learn that only about 19% of our students utilize loans, with most choosing instead to pay out of pocket, with scholarships, or via a monthly payment plan. Look into your options for financial aid.

Admission Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• A completed application for admission and all admissions materials

If you do not have a bachelor's degree or do not meet one of the requirements above, contact an Admissions Counselor to explore alternative MA in Ministry and Leadership admission requirements.