Why study pastoral ministry at Northwestern?

Be fully equipped for ministry through hands-on experience, practical classes, and helpful mentoring. Develop key leadership skills for visionary impact.

Discover your unique calling and how to use your talents to help your community. Experience spiritual transformation as you learn and grow.

Get pastoral training that really works. Learn from faculty with real life experience serving as pastors and missionaries.

Learn how to inspire others in their faith. Build Christ-like relationships as you engage with diverse cultures and communities.

Gain valuable skills through your ministry internship:

• teach, lead, plan, and observe
• be encouraged by your mentor
• apply what you’re learning in class
• serve 200 hours during your junior and senior years
• build your resume
• develop your God-given gifts in pastoral ministry

Planning on graduate school? Consider these affordable, accelerated options to complete your bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years (instead of seven).

Accelerated Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Start your ministry career equipped with two degrees, multiple internships and local pastor mentorships. Combine your undergraduate degree in Pastoral Ministry with an accelerated Master of Divinity (M.Div.). You’ll save up to two years and $20,000 by completing 38 graduate credits during your undergraduate program. The remaining 38 credits can be completed on site or online during a final year of graduate study. Apply through the Christian Ministries department for this program after you have been admitted to Northwestern. Scholarship funds are available for qualified students in addition to your financial aid package.

Accelerated Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership (MAML)

Take your leadership skills to the next level. Combine an undergraduate degree in Pastoral Ministry with an accelerated Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership (MAML). You’ll save approximately $8,000 by completing up to 16 graduate credits within your undergraduate program. The remaining 20 credits can be completed on site or through online learning during a fifth year of graduate study. Apply through the Christian Ministries department for this program after you have been admitted to Northwestern. Scholarship funds are available for qualified students in addition to your financial aid package.

Ready to find your mission?

If you feel called to be a pastor, desire to see others grow in their faith, and want to influence your community, this might be the right degree for you.

What will you learn?

You’ll learn how to teach, preach, counsel, and lead effectively so you can impact the world for Christ.

Some classes include:

• Foundations of Pastoral Ministry
• Ministry in a Globalized World
• Care and Counseling in Ministry
• Communicating the Biblical Message
• Leadership in Ministry