B.A./B.S. & MA in Ministry Leadership

Why choose the accelerated Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership at Northwestern?

Through the accelerated master’s track, you can earn a Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership one year after your bachelor’s degree. This fast-tracked, affordable degree will equip you better in the workplace. You will gain tools for spiritual formation, biblical interpretation, and organizational leadership—while saving you 14-16 credits of graduate tuition expenses. Additionally, you may continue on from this MA degree to pursue the Master of Divinity or other graduate degree offerings including the MBA.

All undergraduate ministry majors include an accelerated MA in Ministry Leadership pathway including:

• B.A./B.S. in Intercultural Studies
• B.A./B.S. in Ministry (On-campus or Online)
• B.A./B.S. in Nonprofit Leadership
• B.A./B.S. in Pastoral Ministry
• B.A./B.S. in Youth and Emerging Adult Studies

You will receive a bachelor’s degree after completing the undergraduate requirements. This degree includes 14-16 credits of the Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership (MAML) courses taught in a traditional day-school format. You’ll wrap up the remaining 20-22 credits with one year of graduate studies offered in an accelerated format (evenings or online) through our Graduate Studies Program.

A Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership may be the right degree for you if you have a desire to become a:

• pastor
• associate pastor
• missionary
• nonprofit leader

This degree provides a foundation for growth in strategic planning, communication, and impact. You will also grow personally and spiritually throughout this process.

What will you learn?

• You’ll develop as a leader through discussing contemporary theology in a non-denominational setting.
• You’ll develop strategies for reproducing leaders in a diverse and global world.
• You’ll get involved in ministry through internships with the option to apply to an outside Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program for chaplaincy work.
• You’ll be encouraged by our faculty who are practitioner-scholars with a personal vision to help you grow as a ministry leader.

Core degree classes

• Spiritual Formation for Leadership
• Leading and Organizing Ministry
• Effective Communication and Leadership
• Ministering Culturally and Globally

Next Steps

Because this degree is rigorous and accelerated, we encourage you to talk with your enrollment advisor and faculty as soon as possible. If you desire to pursue a Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership, you must first apply to Northwestern to be admitted and then submit an application for this program through your academic department. Scholarship funds are available for qualified students in addition to financial aid.