M.A. in Church Leadership

Train the Next Generation of Ministry Leaders Through Regent’s M.A. in Church Leadership Degree Program

Are you ready to mobilize people for service in the local church and parachurch ministries? Regent’s Master of Arts in Church Leadership can train you to lead any number of ministries in the church or parachurch setting. This degree offers a balanced blend of coursework that includes Old and New Testament, Spiritual Formation, and Christian Theology, alongside specialty classes that may sharpen your area of interest. You can learn effective administration and management skills, including organization structure, budgets and facilities, church and nonprofit law, and church security. You can also gain the practical tools needed to minister in a diverse, changing world. Presented from a Christian perspective, this high-impact degree is offered fully online and taught by seasoned pastor-theologians and respected faculty in Virginia Beach.

Location: Online

Total Credit Hours: 36

Next Session Start: January 13, 2025

Approved Degree Plan: Download PDF

BROADEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Learn new ways to lead, preach, administrate, and manage budgets for growth and impact.

LEARN FROM TOP SCHOLARS & PRACTITIONERS

Learn how to get to the next level of ministry from instructors who have walked out similar challenges and wins.

GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

Enjoy real-world ministry practice through a capstone internship.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

Top 25 Best Master's Programs in Virginia, 2024, UniversityHQ.

The M.A. in Church Leadership at Regent University is accredited by The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).

Career Opportunities

On completing the M.A. in Church Leadership degree, you can:

Develop strategies for effective emotional and spiritual healing in the Church.
Prepare transformational messages that communicate biblical life and truth.
Apply key ministry practices for church renewal and revitalization.
Avoid pastoral pitfalls by understanding critical issues in pastoral leadership.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Ministerial/Church Leader
Christian Educator
Church Leadership Consultant
Nonprofit Organization Executive

Courses

Featured Courses
Code	Name	Credits
BIBL 508	New Testament	3	Contents, themes, and genres of the New Testament canon; methodologies for interpreting the texts in light of their historical contexts.
BIBL 509	Old Testament	3	Contents, themes, and genres of the Old Testament canon; methodologies for interpreting the texts in light of their historical contexts.
COSM 500	Cosmogony & Anthropology	3	Biblical apologetic for the nature of God, humankind, and creation. Focuses on God’s revelation of Himself through creation with practical application to Christian witness.
PMIN 501	Leadership in Church & Ministry	3	Foundational biblical principles of church leadership and life with an emphasis on team ministry. Examines key ministry practices as foundations for church renewal and revitalization. Recommended as a prerequisite to other ministry courses.
PMIN 524	Preparation of Biblical Messages	3	Systematic approach to developing biblical messages that are driven by genuine human need, sound biblical exegesis and by clear, specific application of biblical truth to the lives of hearers. Focus is on preparing transformational messages that communicate biblical life and truth.
PMIN 602	Pastoral Care, Counseling & Conflict	3	Strategies for effective emotional and spiritual healing in the unique context of the Church. Presents models for biblically based, spiritually-gifted strategies to address key issues as an integrated part of the mentoring and disciple-making process.
PMIN 603	Christian Leadership Development	3	Biblical principles concerning the development and exercise of Christian leadership in ministry settings. Emphasis on mobilizing people for Spirit-led service in the local church.
PMIN 604	Ministry Administration	3	Effective administration and management in ministry, with emphasis on application in the local church. Special attention is given to organization structure, budgets and facilities, church and non-profit law, and church security.
PMIN 606	Pastoral Theology	3	An integrated perspective of the pastoral functions, practices and offices in the local church, with special applied emphasis on the sacraments, ordinances, funerals and weddings. Critical issues in pastoral leadership are examined with an emphasis on avoiding pastoral pitfalls and fulfilling one’s calling with integrity.
SFRM 501	Spiritual Formation Foundations	3	Examines the biblical, historical, and theological aspects of Christian formation, including the holistic and other models, with emphasis on both personal life and ministry contexts. Taken in the first semester of degree and begins the Spiritual Formation Portfolio.
SFRM 695	Ministry Internship	3	Addresses spiritual formation application of a 200-hour ministry internship experience; serves as the basis for the assessment of spiritual progress and vocational preparedness within the professional context. Continues the Spiritual Formation Portfolio. Prerequisite: SFRM 501. Pass/No Pass.
THEO 500	Christian Theology	3	Key tenets and central doctrines of the Christian faith. Special focus on biblical foundations, historical developments, theological method, and major controversies and confessions.

Admissions Requirements

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

Session	Semester Check-In	Session Start Date
Session A	Friday, August 9	Monday, August 19
Session M	Friday, September 6	Monday, September 16
Session B	Friday, October 11	Monday, October 21
Session C	Wednesday, January 8	Monday, January 13
Session T	Friday, January 31	Monday, February 10
Session D	Friday, March 7	Monday, March 17
Session E	Friday, May 2	Monday, May 12
Session F	Friday, June 13	Monday, June 23

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Tuition & Fees

2024-25 Tuition Rates

PART-TIME STUDENTS

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$530	6	$3,180
Master of Divinity (MDiv)	$530	6	$3,180
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)	$530	6	$3,180
Master of Theology (ThM)	$670	3	$2,010
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)	$670	3	$2,010
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)	$670	3	$2,010

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$530	9	$4,770
Master of Divinity (MDiv)	$530	9	$4,770
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)	$530	9	$4,770
Master of Theology (ThM)	$670	6	$4,020
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)	$670	6	$4,020
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)	$670	6	$4,020

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

2023-24 Tuition Rates

Part-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$530	6	$3,180
Master of Divinity (MDiv)	$530	6	$3,180
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)	$530	6	$3,180
Master of Theology (ThM)	$670	3	$2,010
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)	$670	3	$2,010
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)	$670	3	$2,010

Full-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$530	9	$4,770
Master of Divinity (MDiv)	$530	9	$4,770
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)	$530	9	$4,770
Master of Theology (ThM)	$670	6	$4,020
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)	$670	6	$4,020
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)	$670	6	$4,020

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

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“I want to take what Regent taught me back to Uganda in a language they can easily understand and relate to.”

Boniface Odong, M.Div., 2017

“The online and on-campus experiences were different, but both very rewarding. The way they designed online learning really felt like a live classroom environment — still very informative and relational, even with people from around the world there.”

Jesse Eisenhart, Joint M.A., 2009 M.A. in Practical Theology & Human Service Counseling

“My Spiritual Formation class acts as a daily guide for me...I was once away from God and wrestling with him...The book points out that the Kingdom of Heaven is wherever Jesus is. Because I am a believer, The Almighty is with me...Regardless of how and what we feel, God still blesses us by showing us how mighty He is. A God of His word.”

Chaplain Mario Samaniego, Master of Divinity

“I received a direct commission to the U.S. Army Reserves in the rank of Second Lieutenant on April 10, 2019. The decision to pursue a military career came as a result of my prayerfully discerning a clear call from God to join ministry, specifically through military chaplaincy during this time.”

Whitney Mathis, M. Div., 2020