Graduate

Ministry Leadership

Degree type:
MA
Mode of study:
Online
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Our new ecumenical Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership is designed for individuals engaged in ministry or religious nonprofit administration seeking to advance their careers, grow as leaders, and achieve academic excellence.

Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership at Mount Saint Mary's University

This innovative program equips students to navigate the dynamic intersection of intellectual inquiry, practical application, and professional development, preparing them for impactful leadership roles and future academic pursuits. Through rigorous academic exploration, the program challenges students to critically engage with the relationship between theory and practice, explore the richness of religious traditions, and understand the cultural context shaping emerging religious issues.

In a rapidly changing and diverse world, our M.A. in Ministry Leadership empowers students to lead with wisdom, vision, and a deeper understanding of the complexities facing contemporary faith communities.

Career focused

Our M.A. in Ministry Leadership program combines academic rigor with career-focused leadership training. It retains specialized career-focused components, such as electives and interdisciplinary leadership courses, applied learning and experiential opportunities, and a focus on mentorship and networking for professional development.

Outcome based

The Ministry Leadership program is designed for both religious leaders and laypersons engaged in ministerial efforts who wish to assume leadership roles. Such leadership positions include nonprofit executives, program coordinators, development officers, and policy advocates. This program is also suitable for those hoping to pursue doctoral studies in related disciplines.

Accessible for working professionals

Our program is accessible for busy working professionals and emerging leaders. The curriculum is flexible and reflects a hybrid format with both synchronous and asynchronous online courses. The time to degree is 4-6 semesters, depending on the number of courses you decide to take each semester. Our program’s format allows you to balance work, family and school.

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M.A. in Ministry Leadership curriculum

All students are required to take a total of 9 units of core classes that reference to the study of religion, such as Sacred Texts, Ethics, Theories, Methods, and Interdisciplinary Perspectives. These theoretical courses ensure students receive a foundation of academic excellence.

Once an academic base of excellence is established, students will be exposed to concepts of leadership, administration, and management, specifically as it relates to the challenges and opportunities unique to ministry. Likewise, students will be introduced to nonprofit leadership and management, specifically as it relates to governance, financial management, and organizational development of nonprofit entities, such as churches, mosques, synagogues and other religious organizations.

Lastly, students will have the opportunity to take elective courses in related fields that are conducive to their professional goals. Students will also have the opportunity to apply their learning with an experiential capstone project or thesis that aligns with their career-focused experiences. Students are encouraged to apply their studies to their own faith community and to bring local issues into the discussion and scope of their studies.

Special grant for 2025-26

Mount Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce that it is part of Haciendo Caminos, a partnership of 18 Catholic graduate schools of theology that seeks to identify and form the next generation of pastoral leaders to accompany and serve Catholics. Haciendo Caminos brings together Catholic institutions of higher education to accompany students with demonstrated leadership experience to pursue graduate theological formation for ministry. Ten (10) eligible students who are admitted and meet the grant’s criteria will receive a full scholarship that covers 100% of program’s tuition fee. Please contact us for more information.

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