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The Cross on Regent's chapel steeple: Pursue your MA in Church Leadership degree online at Regent University.

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 will 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 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.

Online
36
May 6, 2024
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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.

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).

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
Contents, themes, and genres of the New Testament canon; methodologies for interpreting the texts in light of their historical contexts.
Contents, themes, and genres of the Old Testament canon; methodologies for interpreting the texts in light of their historical contexts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Key tenets and central doctrines of the Christian faith. Special focus on biblical foundations, historical developments, theological method, and major controversies and confessions.

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

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.

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$5306$3,180
Master of Divinity (MDiv)$5306$3,180
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)$5306$3,180
Master of Theology (ThM)$6703$2,010
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)$6703$2,010
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)$6703$2,010

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$5309$4,770
Master of Divinity (MDiv)$5309$4,770
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)$5309$4,770
Master of Theology (ThM)$6706$4,020
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)$6706$4,020
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)$6706$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 »

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$5156$3,090
Master of Divinity (MDiv)$5156$3,090
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)$5156$3,090
Master of Theology (ThM)$6703$2,010
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)$6703$2,010
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)$6703$2,010

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$5159$4,635
Master of Divinity (MDiv)$5159$4,635
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)$5159$4,635
Master of Theology (ThM)$6706$4,020
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)$6706$4,020
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)$6706$4,020

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$800 (Fall & Spring)
$650 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$650

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

“Regent has maintained a high standard of scholarship and the practical aspects of leadership, and they have outstanding professors. I was blessed when I was there.”

Daniel Backens, M.A. in Practical Theology, 1999 Senior Pastor, New Life Church

“My journey through the School of Divinity was transformational, challenging and inspirational. The Spirit-filled faculty and staff were dedicated to my success as a student and a military officer. My classes — both on campus and online — exuded excellence and sound biblical teaching.”

Tierra S. Gibbs, M.A., 2012 Practical Theology

“In 2015, the Lord began stirring our hearts that it was time to leave everything familiar behind and move here to pursue our degrees at Regent.”

Cheryl You, M.Div., 2019

“When I think of Regent University, I think of destiny. Regent has been such an integral part of my, one, knowing my destiny, two, being formed and shaped to fulfill my destiny, and then, three, thrusting me into that next step.”

Kevin Turpin, M.A. in Practical Theology, 2001 Senior Assistant Pastor & President, Founder of Life Enrichment Center; Senior Associate Pastor, New Life Church

“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