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 will learn effective administration and management skills, including organization structure, budgets and facilities, church and nonprofit law, and church security. You’ll 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.
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.
To learn more about this program, please complete the Request Information form on this page.
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 will be able to:
- 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.
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.
2021-22 Semester Check-In Deadlines:
All new 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 13 | Monday, August 23 |
| Session M | Friday, September 10 | Monday, September 20 |
| Session B | Friday, October 15 | Monday, October 25 |
| Session C | Tuesday, December 21 | Monday, January 10 |
| Session T | Friday, January 28 | Monday, February 7 |
| Session D | Friday, March 4 | Monday, March 14 |
| Session E | Friday, April 29 | Monday, May 9 |
| Session F | Friday, June 10 | Monday, June 20 |
*International applicants may begin in the fall or spring semesters only with an application deadline of February 15 (fall) or July 15 (spring).
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for acceptance into the master’s programs at the School of Divinity, the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) requires applicants to have a completed four-year bachelor’s degree (in any field) from a regionally accredited, post-secondary institution or an institution accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree from a non-regionally accredited institution will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Note: Army active duty, reserve and National Guard members may find detailed information on the application process through GoArmyEd on our GoArmyEd Admissions Guide.
In addition, applicants should have:
- a minimum GPA of 2.75
- high intellectual achievement and scholarship as evidenced by college transcripts and the applicant’s writing sample
- spiritual maturity and integrity of character
- personal goals consistent with the mission of Regent University
- understand and accept the Statement of Faith
Application Process
1. Submit Your Application
Complete the School of Divinity Application for Admission. Note: We also require your official transcript from your degree-granting institution, which indicates 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.
2. Pay Your $50 Application Fee
Your application will be fully processed once we have received your nonrefundable application fee. Mail a check payable to “Regent University” to Enrollment Support Services (see address below).
3. Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA.
4. Complete Your Admissions Questionnaire
Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests, and provide thoughtful and thorough responses. This will give us a better opportunity to get to know you and see how your objectives align with our programs. Once completed, the questionnaire will be sent directly to an admissions counselor who will be in touch with you to help complete the rest of your application. Access the Admissions Questionnaire.
5. Submit your Unofficial College Transcripts*
We are able to examine and view your unofficial transcript from a U.S.-based school, which indicates successful completion of a bachelor’s degree program, in order to review you for an admissions decision. Please submit your unofficial transcript to our Admissions Office by email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: DIV Master’s Application Pieces.
Non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company. For further details, please review the International Admissions Checklist on the International Students Admissions page.
International Applicants: Please visit the International Students Admissions page for a more detailed explanation of the Regent University application information and to determine whether or not you qualify as an international student.
*Upon conditional acceptance to the program by review of unofficial transcripts, Regent University’s Admissions Office will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution, which indicate successful completion of a bachelor’s degree program. We will notify you if your previous institution will not release transcripts directly to us.
6. Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please email a scanned copy or photograph of it to apply@regent.edu with the subject line: Government ID.
7. Mail all documents that are completed offline to the following address:
Regent University
Enrollment Support Services
1000 Regent University Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Phone: 757.352.4127 | Fax: 757.352.4381
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent and cannot be returned.
PART-TIME STUDENTS
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $500 | 6 | $3,000 |
| Master of Divinity (MDiv) | $500 | 6 | $3,000 |
| Master of Theological Studies (MTS) | $500 | 6 | $3,000 |
| Master of Theology (ThM) | $650 | 3 | $1,950 |
| Doctor of Ministry (DMin) | $650 | 3 | $1,950 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | $650 | 3 | $1,950 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $500 | 9 | $4,500 |
| Master of Divinity (MDiv) | $500 | 9 | $4,455 |
| Master of Theological Studies (MTS) | $500 | 9 | $4,500 |
| Master of Theology (ThM) | $650 | 6 | $3,900 |
| Doctor of Ministry (DMin) | $650 | 6 | $3,900 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | $650 | 6 | $3,900 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $800 |
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $650 |
Part-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $500 | 6 | $3,000 |
| Master of Divinity (MDiv) | $500 | 6 | $3,000 |
| Master of Theological Studies (MTS) | $500 | 6 | $3,000 |
| Master of Theology (ThM) | $650 | 3 | $1,950 |
| Doctor of Ministry (DMin) | $650 | 3 | $1,950 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | $650 | 3 | $1,950 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $500 | 9 | $4,500 |
| Master of Divinity (MDiv) | $500 | 9 | $4,455 |
| Master of Theological Studies (MTS) | $500 | 9 | $4,500 |
| Master of Theology (ThM) | $650 | 6 | $3,900 |
| Doctor of Ministry (DMin) | $650 | 6 | $3,900 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | $650 | 6 | $3,900 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $750 |
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $600 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
Estimated Cost of Attendance: View the estimated cost of attendance to see an example of the total cost of tuition and fees.