125 credits
required for program
- Minor Available
- PSEO/Early college online classes
Prepare for a career in the church, mission field, and world. This degree lays the foundation for you to pursue graduate study.
Ministry may be the right degree for you if you
- want to serve and disciple others in a professional setting
- are a good communicator
- have a desire to learn more about scripture
Why study ministry at Northwestern?
Northwestern has been training the next generation of church leaders, missionaries, nonprofit leaders, and other ministers for over 100 years. With our small class sizes, you’ll get hands-on attention from ministry professionals with years of experience in the field. Focus your passion for ministry by choosing a concentration in media ministry, next generation ministry, nonprofit leadership, social justice, or youth and emerging adult ministry.
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What degree concentrations are offered in Ministry?
Students will complete 12 credits specific to Media Ministry.
- Story Structure
- Audio Production
- Video Production
Students will complete 12 credits specific to Next Generation Ministry.
- Spiritual Lives of Children
- Spiritual Lives of Youth
- Family Studies
- Leading Children and Families
- Serving Youth and Emerging Adults
Students will gain essential skills in relational leadership, managerial leadership, and missional leadership to work in a local church or nonprofit organization. Classes include Management, Introduction to Entrepreneurship, and Principles of Marketing.
Students will be prepared with the theological and practical understandings needed to act mercifully and love justly in a broken world. Required classes include Theology for Social Engagement, Social Justice, Race and Ethnicity in America, and Urban Community Development.
Students will be prepared for ministry with youth and emerging adults in the local church or nonprofit contexts. Required courses include Everyday Lives of Adolescents and Youth, Spiritual Lives of Adolescents and Youth, and Practices of Youth and Emerging Adult Ministry.
Accelerated M.A. in Ministry Leadership
Students may apply through the Ministry department to combine an undergraduate degree in Ministry with an accelerated Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership. Ministry majors complete up to 16 credits of the MA degree during their undergraduate program and the remaining 20 credits during a fifth year of study. The fifth year can be completed on site or through online learning. This pathway saves students time and tuition expense as they add a graduate degree to their portfolio.
Careers in ministry
There are a variety of career and academic pathways that begin with a degree in ministry.
What types of work are related to this degree?
- Campus ministry
- Christian education
- Curriculum development (church/para-church)
- Ministry support or coordination
- Pastoral roles
- Para-church ministry worker
- Social/human services worker or case manager
- Fund development
- Disaster/aid relief worker
- Program administration or development
- Dorm parent/international school or residential treatment facility
- Missions or tent making ministry
- Residence life or student development
- Job development or life skills coaching
What will I learn?
You will learn how to engage non-believers and develop effective communication skills.
MIN 3231
Care and Counseling in Ministry
This course provides a foundation and overview of counseling techniques, practices, and typical counseling situations which are faced in both church and parachurch ministry settings. Emphasis is placed on methods and techniques for effectively counseling people in crisis from all age groups. Guidance is given in the counseling of lay leadership, families in crisis, and the handling of abuse cases. Consideration is given to the legal, ethical, and practical implications of Christian counseling. A $100 course fee required.
MIN 1007
Ministry Foundations
This course addresses theological, philosophical, and historic foundations for Christian ministry. Students will be introduced to various fields of ministry, explore giftedness and call, discover the purpose of the church, and wrestle with cultural implications for ministry practice. The student will connect with a local ministry and begin to formulate a personal theology and philosophy of ministry during the context of this course.
MIN 3207
Ministry in a Globalized World
This course prepares students to understand the impact of globalization on present day ministry. Students will be equipped to investigate diverse social and cultural contexts and develop strategies to minister effectively in an era of cultural, religious, and ethical diversity.
MIN 3206
Relationships
This course will examine biblical and theological foundations, social science research and relationship models for healthy relationships. Focus will be given to the process of relationships: identity formation, friendship, dating, courtship, engagement and marriage. Additional issues including singleness, intimacy, forgiveness, gender issues, communication skills, conflict resolution, relational integrity, cultural awareness and financial planning will be addressed.
MIN 3218
Teaching Methods in Ministry
A theoretical and practical approach to giving students experience in the development and practice- teaching of biblical lessons. The course will address contemporary methods, scope and sequence and curriculum analysis and evaluation, with special attention to the effect of gender and culture on the teaching/ learning process.
Still have questions about this program or how to apply?
Our team is ready with answers!
Discover the Department of Christian Ministries
Professors at Northwestern are focused on their students first. Our faculty include experts in their respective fields who want to help you grow in your faith while you earn your degree.
