M.A. in Spiritual Formation

Mentor, Equip & Lead Through Regent’s M.A. in Spiritual Formation

Regent’s Master of Arts (M.A.) in Spiritual Formation, offered fully online, can train you on how to lead people in spiritual formation and personal transformation through God’s redemptive power. Develop proven ministry methods that make room for the work of the Holy Spirit to profoundly change lives and usher in renewal. Taught from a Christian Renewal perspective, our School of Divinity programs are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).

Location: Online

Total Credit Hours: 36

Next Session Start: May 12, 2025

Approved Degree Plan: Download PDF

Advance Your Career

Join one of the fastest-growing seminaries in the nation to advance your career in full-time ministry or missions.

Deepen Your Knowledge

Learn the dynamics involved with spiritual formation and discipleship at both individual and corporate levels.

Be Equipped for Effectiveness

Explore how to evaluate the spiritual needs of a community, then design and apply a process for growth.

Access Faculty Expertise

Experience Regent, ranked among top national universities by U.S. News & World Report, 2022. Be mentored by a renowned faculty of scholars and practitioners that also teaches on campus in Virginia Beach.

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

Association of Theological Schools (ATS) Accredited

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

The M.A. in Spiritual Formation 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 Spiritual Formation degree, you can:

Apply your knowledge of church history, the development of major Christian doctrine and spirituality, and the modern Renewal Movement.
Provide guidance based on a deeper understanding of Christian spiritual formation, including life stages, discipleship in communities, and vocational integration.
Apply discipleship strategies for a range of settings.

Career Opportunities

Discipleship Training Leader
Spiritual Formation Specialist
Ministry Specialist
Church Leadership
Christian Educator

16%

Higher Earnings with a Master's Degree Bureau of Labor Statistics

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 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 602	Christian Spirituality	3	Explores the biblical meanings and theology of the various “streams” of spirituality, including historical development and contemporary practice of spirituality, encompassing Christian faith, life and ministry.
SFRM 603	Early Christian Spirituality	3	Covers the early Christian writers and their thoughts on human nature, sin, grace, salvation, the work of the Spirit, the sacraments, the development of virtue, and the moral life.
SFRM 604	Elements of Spiritual Formation	3	Examines the specific biblically-defined elements that comprise Christian spiritual formation, including: calling, conversion, empowerment, Scripture, sacraments, ordinances, community, disciplines, ministry, mission, joy, suffering and eternal life.
SFRM 605	Classics in Spiritual Formation	3	Explores historical and contemporary writings that serve to both inform and form needed changes and growth in character, behavior, relationships, vision, values, ministry, godly influence and servant leadership.
SFRM 606	Spiritual Formation & Community	3	Covers design and application of models, principles, processes and practical theology of both spiritual formation and discipleship in faith communities and other ministry contexts.
SFRM 607	Life Stages in Spiritual Formation	3	Explores various formative stages of growth and change, their characteristics and challenges, in Christian spiritual life, from childhood to advanced age.

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

2025-26 Tuition Rates

Part-Time Students

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)	$565	6	$3,390
Master of Divinity (MDiv)	$565	6	$3,390
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)	$565	6	$3,390
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)	$565	9	$5,085
Master of Divinity (MDiv)	$565	9	$5,085
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)	$565	9	$5,085
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)	$900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

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 »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

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“I was so glad that I was able to study at the Regent University School of Divinity and earn my Master of Theological Studies (MTS). It has changed my perspective. After attending seminary, I have a different understanding of how to interpret God’s Word. Through the church history courses, I now see how important it is to know what kind of church Jesus is building today!”

Pastor Kevin Wu, Master of Theological Studies, 2016

“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

“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

“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

“In preparing to fully embrace God’s call on my life, I was attracted to Regent’s commitment to Christian Leadership to Change the World. I needed a world-class institution to help me develop the confidence to do it. My professors gave me the holistic spiritual formation I needed and refined my worldview. At Regent, I obtained the academic and theological foundation necessary to build the global ministries, businesses, and brands I oversee. I am proud and honored to be among the Regent alumni who are changing the world.”

Pastor James E. Ward Jr., Master of Divinity, Graduated Fall 2013