Master of Ministry Studies Online
An online Master of Arts in Ministry Studies degree at Grace Theological Seminary will help equip you to serve in a church or help you on your ministry career path.
The M.A. in Ministry Studies is a 36-hour online program designed to provide professional and practical training for those who are pursing or are already involved in ministry. This degree will prepare and equip you with the necessary personal, professional, and theological training for your unique Christian calling within ministry. This program allows you to achieve the credentials you need, while enjoying the flexibility of online education. Our recently updated concentrations reflect the most relevant needs in ministry: Christian Ministry, Women’s Leadership, Counseling, Leadership and Management, Technology, and Spiritual Formation.
Christian Ministry Concentration
The Ministry concentration is designed to equip ministry leaders seeking support positions and leadership positions in the local church. This program strikes a balance between foundational theological preparation and real-life ministry training. The six concentration courses are ministry-based and taught by instructors with significant and successful experience in ministry.
Women’s Leadership Studies Concentration
The Women’s Leadership Studies concentration is for leaders who desire interaction and challenge from others within ministry. Students in the program will gain leadership skills related to the organization and administration of ministry programs in church, parachurch, and mission environments while internalizing a biblical worldview of dependency on God.
Counseling Concentration
The Counseling concentration is designed to equip leaders with important ministry tools to help those who are hurting. The six counseling courses are ministry-based and taught by instructors who are engaged or have been engaged with counseling in a local church. These courses are different from the clinical courses taught in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Grace College.
Technology Concentration
The Technology concentration is designed to offer ministry leaders in our current digital age, creative thinking to better use technology equipment and applications to enhance ministry productivity and connections. This program merges the timeless message of Scripture with innovative strategies helping ministries meaningfully engage with technology.
Leadership and Management Concentration
The Leadership and Management concentration is designed to equip ministry leaders to integrate their ministry calling with business and leadership skills that can be applied in a variety of settings. This program will help leaders blend business and ministry or help ministry leaders enhance the organizational structures of their local churches.
Spiritual Formation Concentration (Under Development)
The Spiritual Formation concentration is designed to offer ministry leaders an opportunity to grow individually and to lead people in personal transformation. The concentration offers a solid knowledge-base in the Word and understanding of spiritual formation methods to understand yourself and the ability to offer soul care to others.
Ideal Fit
The Master of Arts program is for those who need formal training in ministry.
This program is perfect for those who already have vocational ministry experience, but desire further theological study in order to be better prepared.
Career Opportunities
Unlock opportunities with a Master of Arts in Ministry Studies online degree. This degree is designed to provide a strong theological foundation for vocational ministries.
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Associate Pastor
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Outreach Coordinator
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Senior Pastor
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Worship Pastor / Leader
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Camp Director
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Executive Director of Camps
I knew I wanted to pursue further education in order to have an impact on people. The Ministry Studies program was efficient and provided a strong foundation of biblical knowledge and counseling skills!
Rick Nier
2021 Master of Arts in Ministry Studies, Pastoral CounselingCourse Overview
This course is an introduction to theology and its sources. Foundations will be laid in the areas of prolegomena, Bibliology (The Bible), Theology Proper (God), Christology (Christ), Pneumatology (The Spirit), and Angelology (Angels including demons and Satan).
After successfully completing this course, the student should be able to demonstrate a knowledge of background issues which introduce one to the study of various concepts of the New Testament, the historical milieu of each New Testament book studied, the purpose and general content of each New Testament book studied, the relationship between the New and Old Testaments, and the use of the New Testament in modern ministry.
A study and interaction with these topics will implement that purpose: servant leadership, mentoring, visionary leadership, and leading as a change agent. The methods will include reading and writing assignments, online discussions, pastoral interviews, a self-assessment and an action plan paper.
The goals for this course are (1) to give Christian ministry students as awareness of the nature of cultural systems and how they affect ministry in multi-cultural settings and (2) to give them insights, methods, and skills for adapting their perspective and activities for a relevant ministry to those of other cultural backgrounds.
This course will examine the relationship between the fields of psychology and theology. A theology of “integration” will be presented, along with discussions concerning specific “psychological” topics (i.e. personality, sensation/perception, self-esteem, etc.) from a biblical vantage point. A biblical discussion of depression and anxiety will be an aspect of this course, along with how one would use this material to counsel/minister to others.
Admission Requirements
Grace Theological Seminary welcomes applications from all individuals who have a testimony of personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
To be admitted as a Grace Theological Seminary student, you’re asked to provide:
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Official transcripts from the school where you obtained your degree. (If you are currently working on your degree, you can submit an unofficial transcript for admission until term completion, at which time an official transcript is required. Transcripts should be sent to admissions@grace.edu.
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A spiritual life reference
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International applicant must provide a copy of TESOL test scores, and provide a financial certificate indicating sufficient funding for the program of study.
Entry Requirements
In order to be considered for enrollment in the Master of Arts program at Grace Theological Seminary, you must fulfill certain admissions requirements:
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A four-year bachelor‘s degree or its equivalent (for international students) from a recognized institution of higher learning. Graduates of Bible colleges, liberal arts colleges, and state colleges and universities are encouraged to apply.
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A student who received his or her pre-seminary education at an institution that is not accredited or who achieved less than a 2.5 GPA in pre-seminary education may be admitted on academic restriction.
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Applicants without a bachelor’s degree who have completed some or no college may be admitted if they meet certain ministry and research/writing requirements. Please contact seminary admissions for more information; email: gtsrec@grace.edu or phone: 877.607.0012.
Options for those without bachelor’s degrees
In harmony with our ATS accreditation, Grace has pathways to a seminary master’s degree for non-bachelor degree holding applicants. Our pathways vary depending on the number of undergraduate credits an applicant has (including none). At a minimum, applicants must demonstrate the ability to research and write and have ministry experience to qualify. To learn more about our non-bachelor pathways, schedule a call with seminary admissions Click Here.
Accreditation
Grace College Online accreditation is through the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Grace Theological Seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
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