Best Bachelor's Degrees in Ministry

A degree in ministry can range from an associate level, for those beginning to learn, or as advanced as a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) for those who wish to lead a large church, organization, or teach as a professor. Most, though, will earn a bachelor's or master's degree as their education goal.

There are many subjects a student will learn including Biblical history and interpretation, Christian counseling and discipleship, education teaching, worship music, church administration, and cross-cultural missions. Many will specialize and go on to receive further education as a concentration or pursue additional studies as a minor. Students with a heart's desire to be a pastor will most likely need to earn a master's degree.

Associate Degrees in Ministry

An Associate of Ministry, whether as an Associate of Arts (A.A.Min) or Associate of Science (A.S.Min) as some schools offer, is a beneficial or productive starting point into this field. It generally takes about 60 credit hours or less than two years.

An associate degree, while giving a student foundational knowledge, also allows a student to transfer significant credits earned into a bachelor's program later if desired. Coursework includes introduction to Biblical interpretation, preaching, and evangelism. Some programs even have foreign language requirements for cross-cultural teaching.

Bachelor's Degrees in Ministry

A bachelor's degree in ministry will require general education courses, a solid foundation in both core Biblical and evangelism topics, as well a wide selection of ministry electives. Many schools like Boyce College have different labels or titles to their ministry degrees including church leadership, youth and family ministry, worship and music ministries. It is important for the student to experience many of the electives and find the true calling a student desires.

A bachelor's degree may be listed as either an Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) due to minor differences in the core requirements. A Bachelor of Arts or Sciences in Ministry can be completed in 4 years and will give a student the skills need for beginning a career serving in ministries. Students who wish to achieve a masters and head pastor or higher roles may be interested in an accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Ministry/Master of Divinity combination degree program. This offering at select schools allows a motivated student to complete both ministry related degrees in a quicker, five year window, saving on costs as well as time.

Master's Degrees in Ministry

A master's degree in a ministry field will open up more doors for career possibilities. At this education level the ministry degree programs become more tailored to a student's interests and abilities. For example, Dallas Baptist University (DBU) offers master's degrees in family ministry, student ministry, children's ministry, church ministry, and chaplaincy.

A typical master's program consists of 36 hours of graduate courses and can be completed within 1-2 years. Additionally, at a master's level many schools offer classes during the evening, weekends, and as a hybrid (part online, part classroom) for the student who is employed and currently balancing work and family life.

For those who wish to pursue two greater disciplines, there are dual track master's programs where a student can earn two master's degree in complimentary fields. For instance, a learner could earn a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministries or a dual Master of Divinity and Christian Education, as offered by Princeton Theological Seminary.

Doctoral Degrees in Ministry

A Doctor of Ministry degree (D.Min.) is the highest level of education one can pursue in this field. This degree opens professional positions as a college or seminary professor, ministry organization administration roles, or even author/editor duties with religious journals.

A doctoral degree will often involve a chance to specialize in pursuits and research for a thesis presentation and defense. A typical doctoral degree is completed within 2 years and may be up to 30 hours of credit hours.

Certificates in Ministry

For those students who have a beginning interest in the ministry world but may not want to pursue a full bachelor degree or wish to just contribute more to their church, a residential or local campus certificate in ministry may be what a student needs. Several schools like Pittsburgh Theological Seminary offer on-campus or weekend intensives to help a student find the time to invest in their ministry education.

1. Johnson University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$16,920	53%	63%	97%	No	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

2. Lee University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$18,770	82%	60%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

3. Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$27,296	67%	71%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

4. Mid-America Christian University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$18,838	No Available Data (2019-2020)	33%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

5. Oakwood University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$19,990	65%	51%	100%	No	Yes	AP Credits

6. Rochester University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$23,996	100%	52%	99%	No	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

7. Cornerstone University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$25,360	78%	60%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

8. Bethel University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11,448	90%	32%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

9. Ouachita Baptist University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$27,900	61%	63%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

10. Cairn University-Langhorne

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$28,668	83%	60%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

11. Grace College and Theological Seminary

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$24,078	80%	69%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

12. John Brown University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$27,668	76%	72%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

13. Southern Adventist University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$22,520	No Available Data (2019-2020)	55%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

14. Greenville University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$27,910	56%	56%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

15. Huntington University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$26,846	75%	70%	95%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

16. Lubbock Christian University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$23,330	91%	50%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

17. Brescia University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$23,500	42%	34%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

18. University of Sioux Falls

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$18,910	91%	64%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

19. Faulkner University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$22,310	78%	33%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

20. Siena Heights University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$27,152	73%	47%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

21. Trevecca Nazarene University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$26,098	62%	56%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

22. Concordia University-Saint Paul

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$22,800	98%	51%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

23. Drury University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$29,515	64%	58%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

24. King University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$30,616	62%	59%	92%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

25. Campbellsville University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$25,400	70%	36%	94%	No	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

26. Madonna University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$23,100	75%	60%	97%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.

Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Concentrations or specializations to a bachelor's in ministry degree can be wide and unique to a student's preferences. For example, a student may earn a concentration in Youth Ministries, Hispanic Pastoral Ministries, Children's Ministries, Missions, and even Pastoral Care, like at Mid-America Christian University. These can be completed with additional electives a student may pursue. A concentration could also be viewed as a minor emphasis in addition to a major declaration.

A bachelor's degree in ministry or any one of the ministry-specific fields is composed of three parts. General education courses include basic grammar, math, and university requirements that all bachelor students must take.

The second part is the core components of the ministry curriculum including apologetics, interpretation of Scripture, leadership of the church, and global missions. Lastly, the third part is the ministry-specific electives a student may wish to concentrate their education in, whether that be children's, youth, family, or other outreach evangelism opportunities. Here's an example of the core component curriculum of a typical Bachelor of Arts in Ministry degree program:

• Apologetics- A study of the defense and veracity of Christianity, with a foundation on the biblical and theological methodologies as well as addressing the contemporary challenges to the truth of Christianity.
• Study and Interpretation of Scripture- Understand both the historical and contemporary approaches to the interpretation of scripture using literary and contextual analysis for word meanings and clarity.
• Leadership of the Church- Learn the Christian principles of servant leadership by studying the biblical foundations of how a church is administered by both pastoral and committee roles.
• Global Missions- Understand the Great Commission as commanded in scripture and how to serve and respond in countries and cultures around the globe.

A usual bachelor's in ministry degree program from a residential campus college or university will require 120 credit hours and up to 4 years as a full-time student. This is very similar to other bachelor degree programs.

Some students may wish to accomplish this coursework faster or slower depending on their work/family schedule or existing academic workloads. Additionally, some of the earlier general education courses can be completed before beginning this degree program at other institutions or even online. Also, those who have completed an Associate of Arts or Science in Ministry may mark or receive credit for some of the earlier Bachelor of Arts or Science in Ministry courses as well.

An accredited bachelor's in ministry degree program is necessary and important for a student to have the assurance that the coursework meets the academic expectations of a quality education. To verify this rigor, an approved accrediting organization reviews each school's degree program details and requirements for graduation. An accrediting organization guarantees that the school's degree program meets or exceeds the national, state, or other governing bodies of academia's standard for merit.

One example of such an accrediting organization is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) that largely oversees the Southeastern states. While there are national or regional accrediting organizations for many degree programs, there are also dedicated religious or biblical school accrediting organizations like the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools Accreditation Commission (TRACS), which specifically accredit or verify ministry degree programs.

There are many other accreditation organizations for each region of the United States and even international boards as well. It is in the student's best interest to make sure the degree program at their intended school is officially accredited both for academic transfer credit, education quality, financial scholarships, and federal student loan availability.

A bachelor's degree in ministry gives a student the ability to find employment in a wide variety of positions with local churches, non-profits, or other humanitarian community groups. A pastor or minister position, however, will require a ministry license or minister license to be officially ordained by a denomination.

Each state may have their own rules and regulations, but a general rule is a minister license gives a church representative the ability to visit locations for spiritual encouragement purposes including hospitals, nursing homes, and jail or detention centers. Furthermore, a minister license gives the official right to officiate weddings in certain states as well.

A difference exists with the distinction of an ordained minister. An ordained minister is one who has been approved or deemed by a specific denomination of faith, church leadership, or national association like the National Association of Christian Ministers to preach officially and pastor a church.

Generally, the official head or senior pastor/minister of a church will most likely need a master's degree or higher prior to obtaining this ordination. Once again, there are some denominations that may have their own approvals or requirements for pastoring that may depend on the location and size of the church congregation. Still, most starting positions in a church ministry program, especially at the children's, youth, or community outreach level, do not require an official license after a bachelor's degree to serve.

Upon achieving a bachelor's degree in ministry, a student is qualified to begin several opportunities in the ministry fields. The most common choices to start with are youth pastor, children's director, missionary, community outreach coordinator, and other supporting ministry roles. A general job description and yearly salary estimation according to Payscale.com are listed below for the following:

• Youth Pastor- $38,672 - Leads and oversees the youth ministry demographic of a church with duties including pastoring, counseling, and outreach to encourage a spiritual life and connection with the church.
• Community Outreach Coordinator- $42,254 - Serves both the community and the church/non-profit by managing programs, charity drives, resources, and connections to benefit and grow the organization.
• Camp Director- $40,435 - Organizes and manages a youth camp program and property. This includes managing the counselors, curriculum, and youth outdoor recreation and development.
• Children's Ministry Director- $35,026 - Oversees a church's nursery and preschool program by coordinating education, music, staff, and parents while providing a safe environment under the leadership of the church.
• Missionary- $43,840 - Fulfills the call to minister to other cultures, countries, and the world by learning their customs, needs, and history while sharing their good will and Christian beliefs and hope.

How to Become a Youth Pastor

A youth pastor position can be obtained by following the right educational steps and personal checks along with the successful completion of a bachelor's in ministry degree. While working on an online bachelor's degree, there are opportunities for students to serve at a local church voluntarily or within an internship for a more hands-on approach and on-the-job training. In addition to volunteering, churches may require both a background security check as well as a personal interview about the student's spiritual life and motivation due to the sensitive nature of working with youth.

Once educational training with a degree has been completed, volunteer time has been proven, and a clean background check and personal motivation has been established, a youth pastor role becomes a great experience that allows a student to apply their education and social skills to serve. According to Payscale.com, a typical youth pastor salary is around $38,672 depending on location, church size, and previous experience.

The salary and job opportunities do increase with experience ($47-51k for 10-20 years) and greater metropolitan cities (San Diego 9% higher, Dallas 8% higher) for compensation. Many students will work as a youth pastor as they obtain their master's or Doctor of Ministry to become a future administrative or head pastor.

How to Become a Community Outreach Coordinator

Another career option for a graduate of a bachelor's degree in ministry is community outreach coordinator. This career falls under the larger category of social community service managers, as there is no specific data for that exact job title according to BLS.gov. This role exists within many churches and other non-profit charitable organizations, like Habitat for Humanity and the Alzheimer's Association.

The duties include creating and managing outreach programs in hospital visitations, food drives, fundraisers and awareness campaigns. The community outreach coordinator role requires excellent communication and management skills as well as a solid foundation in Christian and humanitarian principles.

Most opportunities for these positions require at least a bachelor's degree with some work experience or volunteer service. A community outreach coordinator earns a salary of about $42,254 a year depending on location and years of experience. The job outlook for the category of social community service managers is expected to grow 17% according to BLS.gov due to the rising number of the elderly and mental health population needs. A community outreach coordinator is a wonderful career option that will use both a student's education and fulfill the heart with goodwill.

Any prospective student should take advantage of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This is a nationwide application form that allows a student to receive potential grants, loans, or opportunities for work-study financial aid. In addition to federal aid, many religious denominations and organizations have scholarships and trusts available to those seeking to enter a ministry program.

Scholarships from these groups may have different requirements including those awarded to significant financial need, academic achievement, or agreement to serve in a future destination or role. Lastly, individual institutions may offer scholarships to their school to help lower costs for those who apply. Whether through federal, denominational, benefiting organizations, or even the schools themselves, a student should pursue all avenues to seek financial aid and commit to the process.

Before choosing a degree, it is essential to be aware of similar religious, biblical, or other ministry-related degrees.

• A Bachelor's of Science in Christian Leadership and Church Ministries, prepares a student on how to develop, plan, and administer a ministry organization.
• A Bachelor's of Science in Pastoral Leadership teaches an in depth knowledge of the Scriptures as well as the leadership dynamics of a pastor and church.
• A Bachelor's of Arts in Religion is described as the traditional degree from which there is a more intensive theological, world religion, and evangelical course plan leading to a more established minister occupation.
• A Camps and Outdoor Adventure Leadership is a hands-on practical experience program teaching how to run, market, and minister to sports outreach groups and youth summer camping events. Many online schools may have slightly different names, so be sure to research the degree, whether it be administrative, education, or a traditional pastoral training, and make sure it matches the goals envisioned.

For those truly wishing or have a calling to serve as an ordained pastor or licensed minister, a career advancement beyond a bachelor's degree in ministry can be obtained by earning a Master of Arts in Ministry (M.Min.). In most churches and denominations, an ordained or licensed pastor/minister candidate is traditionally required to have a master's in ministry.

While it is possible to serve as a pastor at smaller churches or with other background experience, most see this degree as the standard for which to hire a pastor. This is definitely within reach of those who have completed their bachelor's degree. Additionally, a Doctor of Ministry lies as yet another milestone for those who wish to serve as a professor, author, or dean at a seminary.