125 credits
required for program
- On Campus
- 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
- feel called to serve and disciple others in a professional setting
- enjoy planning, leading, teaching, and/or communicating
- hope to work with the next generation in a church or non-profit context
- long to make an impact in Christ’s name locally or abroad
- 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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Accelerated Masters of Arts in Ministry Leadership (MAML)
An accelerated program, sometimes referred to as 3+2 or 4+1, allows students to complete their bachelors and masters in 5 years, saving students time and tuition.
The department of Christian Ministries offers an accelerated pathway from all five undergraduate majors into the to a Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership (MAML). While completing their undergraduate degree, students will complete 12-16 credits of graduate coursework, and an additional 20-24 graduate credits online after graduating.
Accelerated Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
The department of Christian Ministries offers an accelerated pathway from a B.A. or B.S. Ministry to a Master of Divinity (M.Div.), the standard graduate degree for those pursuing pastoral ministry. While completing their undergraduate degree, students may select to complete up to 38 credits of the M.Div. degree, completing the remaining 38 credits on site or online during a final year of graduate study. This pathway reduces time in the program from the typical 7 years to as little as 5 years.
What degree concentrations are offered in Ministry?
Students will complete a minimum of 12 credits of interrelated courses in consultation with the academic advisor including any combination of courses with the prefix ACL, BIA, BIB, ICS, MIN, YOU, or select ACC2015, FIN2025, DES2111, or MEP1013 courses. Students are recommended to take MIN1643-1644. Other courses may be approved by the department chair.
Students seeking to double major may want to consider declaring a General Concentration.
Students will complete 12 credits specific to Media Ministry. Students will take Story Structure, may choose between Audio Production and Video Production, and may select two courses with the prefix COM, ICS, MEP, MIN, PRL, or YOU, or select MEP3626-3628, ACC2015, DES2111, ENG3249, ENG3316, or FIN2025 courses.
Students will complete 12 credits specific to Next Generation Ministry. Students can take Spiritual Lives of Children or Spiritual Lives of Youth, in addition to Leading Children and Families, Serving Youth and Emerging Adults, and select courses with the prefix CFD, ICS, MIN, PSY, or SOC, or select CRJ3228, CRJ4325, DES2111, LDR3135, MEP1012, or MEP1013 courses.
Students will complete 12 credits specific to ministry in Nonprofit Leadership. Students will take Business as a Mission, and Foundations of Nonprofit Leadership, fulfilling their remaining credits with select courses, including, Principles of Financial Accounting, Grant Writing, Management, Human Resource Management, Principles of Marketing, or Nonprofit PR. Students also have the option to take courses with the prefix ACC, BUS, COM, ECO, FIN, HCM, ICS, LDR, MGT, MIN, MKT, POS, PRL, and YOU or DES2111 or ENG3248 courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
Students will complete 12 credits specific to ministry in Social Engagement. Students will take Human Global Migration, Race and Ethnicity in America, Social Justice, and select courses with the prefix ICS, MIN, PHI, POS, PSY, SOC, or YOU, or select ACC2015, DES2111, FIN2025, or MEP1013 courses. Students are encouraged to take MIN3205.
Students will complete 12 credits specific to Youth Ministry. Students will take Serving Youth and Emerging Adults, Contemporary Issues and Interventions with Youth, Spiritual Lives of Youth, Leading Youth and Emerging Adults, and select courses with the prefix CFD, ICS, MCH, MIN, PSY, or SOC, or select ACC2015, DES2111, FIN2025, or MEP1013 courses. Students are encouraged to take MIN3205.
median pay in 2025
job growth in 2025
degree required
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for the field of Theology. Retrieved August 2026.
The Christian Ministries Department faculty, adjunct instructors, and staff have a wide variety of practical ministry experiences that inform our teaching and mentoring. It is our privilege to come alongside the work of our Triune God in shaping the next generation of ministry leaders.
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.
MIN1007
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.
MIN3207
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.
MIN3206
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. Research projects and other assignments will include exegetical work in relevant scriptural passages.
MIN3218
Teaching Methods in Ministry
A theoretical and practical approach to giving students experience in the development and practice of 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?
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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.
