Skip navigation
Chat Apply Now Request Info Call Now
An alumnus: A Church Leadership certificate program is offered by Regent University.

Certificate of Graduate Studies in Church Leadership

Online
12
October 23, 2023
Download PDF

The Certificate in Church Leadership, offered online, is a graduate-level certificate that provides an important look at essential areas of leadership, discipleship, administration, pastoral care and conflict resolution.

  • Explore models of biblical discipleship to enhance your leadership in the church.
  • Examine pastoral care processes and gain a broad understanding of how to provide effective pastoral counseling.
  • Evaluate your lifestyle, disciplines, and skills to become a more effective ministry leader.

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

Regent University ranked #24 of the top 42 Accredited Certificate programs | Intelligent.com

This certificate may help you grow as an expert in your field and advance your calling as a lay minister, pastor or nonprofit team member.

DIV 500 Graduate Foundations for Divinity (2), as required upon admission, and SFRM 501 Spiritual Formation Foundations (3), plus 9 credit hours from the following list of Divinity courses:

Provides the knowledge, resources, and essential skills needed for success at the graduate level. Topics include academic writing, online learning, information literacy and advising and support services for Divinity students.
Biblical principles for building reproducing disciples based upon the Great Commission, including discipleship strategies for a range of settings.
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.
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.
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.
The theology, theory and practice of preaching with emphasis on expository, narrative and topical forms of sermons. Mainly consists of preaching experiences with feedback evaluation by instructor and students. Prerequisite: PMIN 524.
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.
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.

2023-24 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.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 11Monday, August 21
Session MFriday, September 8Monday, September 18
Session BFriday, October 13Monday, October 23
Session CThursday, January 4Monday, January 8
Session TFriday, January 26Monday, February 5
Session DFriday, March 1Monday, March 11
Session EFriday, April 26Monday, May 6
Session FFriday, June 7Monday, June 17

Certificate programs are designed for those seeking professional development through continuing education for ministers and pastors. Students earn graduate credit that can be applied toward a ministry degree program if further study is desired. Certificate students wishing to earn an academic degree must apply separately to that degree program and meet full admission requirements. Acceptance into a certificate program does not guarantee acceptance into a degree program.

Application Process:

  1. Submit Your Application
    Complete the School of Divinity Application for Admission. Note: We also require copy of the transcript showing the latest degree conferred. Regent University has partnered with DocuSign to offer a secure, electronic way for your previous college transcripts to be delivered on your behalf once you have registered for your first semester.

    Please note: All applicants should understand and accept the Statement of Faith.

  2. Provide Your Unofficial College Transcripts
    We require an official transcript indicating successful completion of a bachelor’s degree program. Regent has partnered with DocuSign to offer a secure, electronic way for your previous college transcripts to be delivered on your behalf once you have registered for your first semester.
    • If you have an unofficial copy of your college transcripts, please email those to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: DIV Certificate Application Pieces.
    • If you are an international student, or you earned college credit at non-US institutions, please submit your transcripts for a third-party course-by-course evaluation. Learn more and find recommended agencies.

Mail all documents that are completed offline to the following address:

Regent University
Enrollment Support Services
1000 Regent University Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23464 USA
Phone: 757.352.4127 | Fax: 757.352.4381

Certificate of Graduate StudiesTuition Cost Per Credit HourTotal CreditsTuition Cost for Certificate
Biblical Languages$51512$6,180
Biblical Studies$51512$6,180
Christian Theology$51512$6,180
Church History$51512$6,180
Church Leadership$51512$6,180
Online Ministry$51512$6,180
Spiritual Formation$51512$6,180
Worship & Media$51512$6,180

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

“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

“It’s tough being a student when you’re older but [Regent] had so much flexibility and understanding that enabled me to pursue my degree.”

Ed Lee, M.A., 2017 Practical Theology

“It was the beginning stages of Regent's D.Min. program that really helped define my leadership gift and lay a foundation for what the Lord has done. It gave me the practical tools that I needed.”

Mark Batterson, D.Min., 2013 Lead Pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C.; New York Times Best-Selling Author

“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