Master Of Arts in Ministry
Prepare Yourself for Ministry
The Master of Arts in Ministry degree is a focused academic and practical ministry training program, designed for flexibility and efficiency. If you’re preparing for ministry but do not need and desire an MDiv degree, the MAM will provide you with foundational ministry knowledge and skills at a fraction of the time and cost.
This program may be a good fit for you if you are interested in pursuing:
- Bi-vocational church ministry (solo pastor, deacon, etc.)
- Associate pastoral ministry
- Youth/children/family ministry, church planting, etc.
MAM Program Details
Required Credits
To graduate with a MAM degree, you will be required to complete a total of 36 credits. This typically involves the completion of twelve 3-credit courses, including a capstone project course.
Time to Complete
This 36-credit program can be completed within 2 years if you maintain a full-time course load (9 credits per trimester).
Distance Learning
The MAM can be completed entirely via distance learning. All courses have the option to attend classes either in person or via Zoom, and many courses can be taken completely asynchronously with no required class meetings.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
A graduate of United’s Master of Arts in Ministry degree program will be able to:
- interpret a selected biblical passage from multiple historical and contemporary perspectives and using one or more critical methods, demonstrating an understanding of the influence of their own situatedness on that interpretation;
- identify and pose distinctly theological questions in texts, artworks, and human existence;
- articulate the value of theological study in light of their own religious convictions;
- critically interpret, analyze, and reflect on a selected theological text or perspective in its historical context as well as through the lens of modern questions and challenges;
apply to their vocational context or academic study an appropriate critical analysis of and reflection on a selected moral dilemma from a variety of Christian OR interreligious ethical perspectives; - evaluate one’s spiritual development in light of one’s own “sources of the self” and religious horizons;
- identify, transform, and/or create specific sources of spiritual power that resist human degradation and enhance human life;
- demonstrate a reflective awareness of how theological study and practical learning at seminary has shaped and empowered oneself as a religious leader;
- demonstrate effective graduate-level writing and argumentation skills; and
- demonstrate the capacity to intervene articulately and persuasively in one’s existing field of ministry / religious leadership in a way that a) responds to some real-world problem or question, and b) integrates the knowledge and skills cultivated in seminary.
COURSES (as of Academic Year 2025–2026)
- Invitation to Theology: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty
- One additional Theology and Religion course
- Introduction to Religious Texts
- Hebrew Bible
- New Testament
- Choose one:
Christian Ethics
Comparative Religious Ethics - Introduction to Spiritual and Personal Formation
- Four Practices of Ministry courses
- MA in Ministry Capstone
Master of Arts in Ministry Degree FAQs
What is a Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM)?
The Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) is a 36-credit ministry master’s degree that provides practical training for church leadership, pastoral care, and community ministry. Unlike the more academic Master of Arts (MA) or the professional Master of Divinity (MDiv), the MAM is focused on practical ministry training, developing the hands-on skills needed for ministry in real-world contexts.
What can you do with a Master of Arts in Ministry degree?
Graduates of the MA in Ministry degree are well-prepared to serve in a variety of roles, including associate, youth, or family pastor; bi-vocational ministry leader; church planter or community ministry leader; nonprofit or parachurch ministry worker; and lay leader or congregational leadership team member. In addition, the program equips students with transferable pastoral leadership skills that can be applied in counseling, chaplaincy, and social services.
How long does it take to complete a Master of Arts in Ministry?
The MAM program can be completed in approximately two years of full-time study, taking 9 credits per trimester. Students who study part-time or with an asynchronous, distance-learning pace may take longer, but the program is structured to remain flexible for working professionals and bi-vocational ministers.
Is a Master of Arts in Ministry worth it?
If your primary goal is to grow in practical ministry and pastoral leadership skills without committing to the length and cost of an MDiv, then yes!. The MAM program is especially worthwhile for students seeking to strengthen their pastoral abilities while serving in associate or bi-vocational ministry, youth/family leadership, or church planting.
Can I earn a Master of Arts in Ministry online?
Yes. United offers a Master of Arts in Ministry online pathway that is 100% distance-learning, with options for live Zoom classes, hybrid formats, or fully asynchronous courses. This flexibility allows you to complete your degree while actively serving in ministry.
What is the difference between a Master of Arts in Ministry and a Master of Divinity?
The MAM vs MDiv distinction lies in scope and purpose:
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The MAM program is shorter (36 credits vs ~72 credits), focused on practical ministry skills, and includes a capstone project rather than a thesis. It’s designed for students pursuing lay leadership, bi-vocational ministry, or associate pastoral roles.
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The MDiv is a professional degree that prepares students for ordination and senior pastoral leadership, with broader theological training and formation.
How many credits is a Master of Arts in Ministry program?
The MA in Ministry degree requires 36 credits, structured as 12 courses (3 credits each), including a final ministry capstone project.
Do I have to write a thesis or capstone for a Master of Arts in Ministry?
Instead of a thesis, the MAM program concludes with a capstone project. This applied project allows you to integrate classroom learning with real-world ministry practice—such as developing a ministry plan, launching a church initiative, or designing a program for youth or family ministry.
Is a Master of Arts in Ministry a terminal degree?
The MAM is considered a professional ministry degree rather than a terminal research degree. While it’s not intended as a pathway to PhD study like the academic MA, it does meet The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) accreditation standards and can serve as a stepping stone into further graduate theological study.
Is the MAM program accredited?
Yes, the Master of Arts in Ministry program is fully accredited under ATS accreditation standards and recognized across a wide range of denominations.
