Certificate of Graduate Studies in Church Leadership

Location: Online

Total Credit Hours: 12

Next Session Start: May 12, 2025

Approved Degree Plan: 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 #23 of the top 41 Accredited Certificate programs | Intelligent.com

Career Opportunities

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.

Featured Courses

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:

Featured Courses
Code	Name	Credits
DIV 500	Graduate Foundations for Divinity	2	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.
PMIN 601	Models of Biblical Discipleship	3	Biblical principles for building reproducing disciples based upon the Great Commission, including discipleship strategies for a range of settings.
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 605	Preaching Ministry	3	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.
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.

Other Concentrations

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

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 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

2025-26 Tuition Rates

Certificate of Graduate Studies	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Total Credits	Tuition Cost for Certificate
Biblical Languages	$530	12	$6,360
Biblical Studies	$530	12	$6,360
Christian Theology	$530	12	$6,360
Church History	$530	12	$6,360
Church Leadership	$530	12	$6,360
Online Ministry	$530	12	$6,360
Spiritual Formation	$530	12	$6,360
Worship & Media	$530	12	$6,360

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Related Programs

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“Thank you Regent University for making the most out of this special day for the Class of 2020.”

Richard Sarmiento, M.Div., 2020 Recruiting Specialist, Accenture Federal Services

“I look back at my time at Regent as one of the best, God-led decisions in my life. In all the fun, networking, late-night studying, classes and meaningful conversations with fellow students and professors, God did a deeper work within me that I am forever grateful for. Regent University for me was more than a place of knowledge—it is a place where God speaks, forms, and prepares us for the High Calling he has on our lives for His glory! It was a place I was given tools for life and ministry. I am forever grateful for my time Regent and what Regent has meant for me and what it has been and will be for me and thousands of past and future students!”

Carl Ness, Master of Arts in Practical Theology, 2017

“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

“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

“Regent served as a place for acquiring a top-quality academic experience.”

Preston Braswell, M.Div., 2020 Senior Admissions Counselor, School of Law, Regent University