PSEO/Early college online classes
125 credits
125 credits
required for program
PSEO/Early college online classes
Department of Christian Ministries
Pastoral Ministry
Department of Christian Ministries
Pastoral Ministry
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Arts
- Undergraduate
Preaching, teaching, leading, and counseling are skills you’ll gain with our pastoral ministry degree. Our desire is to equip future pastors to accurately study the Word of God so they can lead others to maturity in Christ. Learn the many roles of a pastor through our rich curriculum taught by ministry leaders and gain experience in Christian ministry through practical internships. The degree prepares you to enter directly into full-time ministry or continue on to seminary or graduate study.
90%
of seniors grew in their relationship with God during their time at Northwestern
Accelerated
%}
Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership option
97%
of seniors feel faculty set high, clearly stated expectations
Why study pastoral ministry at Northwestern?
Our courses are taught by a team of practitioners who have served as pastors and missionaries in several roles. We are dedicated to preparing you with the practical skills needed to lead in a variety of ministry roles.
Our program also gives you the option to get your Bachelor of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry and a Master of Divinity degree in as little as five years. These degrees typically take at least seven years to complete, but with the dual B.A. or B.S./MDiv. degree you will save time and money, and be able to start your ministry fully equipped, complete with multiple internships and local pastor mentorships. For more information about ministry internships, please, visit our Christian Ministries Internships page.
Northwestern is recognized as one of the best places to study the Bible in Minnesota and the nation. Our history includes ministers, evangelists, and missionaries like Billy Graham and Roger Youderian and many alumni who serve God in their careers.
If you feel that you are called to full-time or bi-vocational ministry in the local church and have a desire to see others grow in their faith and impact their communities for Christ, this might be the right degree for you.
What will you learn?
You will develop a passion for God’s written word and be prepared to spread the good news to others.
Some classes include:
- Foundations of Pastoral Ministry
- Ministry in a Globalized World
- Care and Counseling in Ministry
- Communicating the Biblical Message
- Greek I, II
Accelerated M.A. in Ministry Leadership
Students may apply through the Ministry department to combine an undergraduate degree in Pastoral Ministry with an accelerated Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership. Pastoral majors complete up to 16 credits of the M.A. 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.
If the students leave here as whole people, who can relate in a healthy way to God, to other people around them, then they'll be able to make a huge impact in this world.
Careers in pastoral ministry
There are a variety of career and academic pathways that begin with a degree in pastoral ministry.
Discover CareersRelated Programs
Meet your professors
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.
Meet the entire department
Dale Lemke, Ph.D.
Department Chair, Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries
Prior to teaching at Northwestern, Dr. Lemke was an Assistant Professor of Ministry Leadership at Crown...
Contact Information
Department of Christian Ministries
Nazareth Hall, N4141
3003 Snelling Avenue North
St. Paul, MN 55113