Build a strong ministry network, unlock new leadership skills, and engage with professors who are invested in your success. With a strong biblical foundation and practical application, the graduate degree program offers two primary types of learning experiences:
- 16-week online classes
- Each semester includes a week-long intensive featuring a structured format: one course Monday–Tuesday, a Seminar Day on Wednesday, and a second course Thursday–Friday, available in person at a Central location or remotely.
Upgrade Your Ministry
Russell School of Ministry is dedicated to excellence in and out of the classroom. Classes are taught by professors who are both scholars with a high view of Scripture and professional leaders in church and parachurch organizations. The program is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education.
Unlock New Skills
Graduate classes are taught by professors with educational expertise and a passion for ministry. Practical assignments are emphasized in all classes. The assignments are designed to apply classroom knowledge to real-world application in your ministry context and leadership development.
Balance and Build
Graduate courses are designed for flexibility and minimal time away from your ministry. With three to five days of on-campus time each semester, multiple locations to choose from, and additional options for missionaries and students outside the U.S., it has never been easier to continue your education while continuing to serve right where you are.
Afford Your Ambition
Central Bible University is committed to providing innovative ministry education in multiple locations for the Christian Church. By studying with the Russell School of Ministry within Central Bible University, there is no need to choose between cost and quality. With a low cost per credit hour and multiple payment options available, quality training remains accessible at an affordable cost.
The MA in Ministry Leadership develops ministry leaders holistically through four course types: Leadership Core, focusing on what a leader should know; Leadership Character, shaping who a leader should be; Ministry Concentration, training what a leader should do; and Ministry Integration, bringing the experience together through a ministry project or thesis.
Program Overview
- Cost: ~ $8,550 per year
- Credits: 36
- Format: Full-time
- Time to Completion: 2 years
Program Information
- The MA in Ministry Leadership develops ministry leaders holistically through four course types: Leadership Core, Leadership Character, Ministry Concentration, and Ministry Integration.
- Leadership Core: 12 hours
- Leadership Character: 6 hours
- Integration Courses: 6 hours
- Concentration Courses: 12 hours
- Available Concentrations: Preaching, Organizational Health, Co-Vocational, and Customized
Ministry Concentrations
Organizational Health
The Organizational Health concentration prepares students to lead ministries, churches, and Christian organizations with wisdom, clarity, and care. Students will explore how healthy leaders build healthy teams, cultivate faithful stewardship, provide pastoral care, and navigate the complexities of ministry in a changing culture. This concentration is especially valuable for those serving in church leadership, nonprofit ministry, organizational administration, or disciple-making environments. Students choose four courses from the concentration to shape their studies around the leadership challenges they are most likely to face.
Preaching
The Preaching concentration equips students to proclaim Scripture faithfully, thoughtfully, and effectively in a variety of ministry contexts. Students will develop their preaching through attention to biblical genres, sermon structure, congregational awareness, cultural complexity, and the centrality of the resurrection of Jesus. This concentration is designed for those who preach regularly, aspire to preaching ministry, or want to grow in their ability to communicate the gospel with clarity and conviction. Students choose four courses from the concentration to strengthen both the theological depth and practical craft of their preaching.
Co-Vocational
The Co-Vocational concentration allows students to shape their MA studies around the ministry-adjacent field that best supports their calling and context. Students import four approved graduate-level courses from another institution or discipline and combine them with the program’s integration courses to create a focused concentration that connects ministry training with practical expertise. This option is especially valuable for students serving in roles that bridge ministry with areas such as counseling, leadership, education, nonprofit work, communication, or organizational service. The result is a flexible pathway designed for students whose ministry calling does not fit neatly into a single traditional category.
Customized
The Customized concentration gives students the flexibility to shape their MA studies around their specific ministry goals, academic interests, or vocational context. Students choose any four approved non-required courses and coordinate them with the program’s integration courses to form a personalized area of focus. This option is especially helpful for students whose calling crosses multiple ministry areas or who want to build a concentration around a unique combination of practical and leadership development. The result is a flexible pathway that allows students to pursue focused graduate study without being limited to a pre-set concentration.
Enrollment Requirements & Application Checklist
Your trackable enrollment checklist can be found in your application portal.
1. Apply
2. Send your official transcripts to Central Bible University from each college and university you attended.
A minimum 2.5 undergraduate grade point average is required for admission.
Preference is given to those with exposure to Christian higher education.
Up to 18 hours of graduate-level courses may be accepted after a transcript evaluation by Central, with a minimum 2.5 grade point average.
3. Submit a Writing Sample of Work
The writing sample may be waived if the cumulative grade point average is above 3.0, if the bachelor’s degree is from an accredited Bible college, or if the candidate has extensive work experience in ministry.
4. Provide your Resume of Professional Work Experience
Please include both your ministry and secular positions.
5. Complete your Interview with our Dean of Graduate Studies
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Upcoming Class Start Dates
| Start Date | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026: Monday, August 17 | Friday, August 7 |
| Spring 2027: Monday, January 11 | Wednesday, December 30, 2026 |