Master of Ministry
All graduate degrees
The Master of Ministry degree helps prepare current pastors and church leaders in church ministry and evangelism, in leadership and management, and in biblical counseling.
Our degrees are hybrid, meaning that students will take a combination of online and in-person intensives. The intensives are offered over one to two weeks on campus during the summer, with prior reading, followed by a significant writing assignment. Online classes are offered during the regular fall and winter semesters. The recommended load is two to three courses per year for those in full-time ministry and up to six classes every year for those in part-time work. Degrees can be completed in two to six years, depending on the course load.
Applications can be accepted year-round. Students need to apply at least six weeks before the start of the semester. Please use the application button to the right to begin your application. With School of Religion approval, students may take up to 12 hours of coursework on non-degree or provisional status.
| Term | U.S. Residents | |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | April 1 | |
| Fall | July 1 | |
| Winter | November 1 | |
The MA in Religion and MMin degrees don't offer enough year-round, in-person classes to qualify international students for an F1 student visa.
All non-U.S. transcripts must be submitted through one of the following approved credential evaluation agencies:
Evaluations are to be sent directly to Southern Graduate Studies, by the service. All evaluation reports are considered to be advisory. Southern reserves the right to make final equivalency decisions.
Select an emphasis:
Biblical counseling is a practice of the local church whereby each member is empowered
to speak the truth in love, so that the whole congregation grows together toward spiritual
maturity. Biblical counseling applies the gospel to everyday life situations, allowing
the practical wisdom of Scripture to guide decisions, resolve conflict, heal emotional
wounds, build relationships, and empower change.
Biblical counseling is not professional counseling. A student who takes classes in
biblical counseling at Southern is not preparing for state licensure or to receive
church credentials. The program is designed for those who work in a church setting,
who wish to enhance their coaching and counseling skills while gaining a broad-based
ministry and theological background. It teaches the counselor how to do “triage” when
hurting people come to the church for help and how to effectively refer. The program
also prepares students for further studies in biblical counseling.
The emphasis in Church Leadership and Management is specifically designed to prepare church leaders and administrators with training in the principles of business management, as well as to equip them with leadership-ministry training skills.
The emphasis in Evangelism and Ministry is specifically designed to equip workers for gospel outreach to the world.
Thank you for considering Southern Adventist University for your graduate studies in Religion. We have attempted here to explain our programs and their rationale and delivery method. If after careful reading of this material you still have questions, please call or e-mail me, and I will be happy to try to answer your questions more fully. We look forward to being able to help you with your graduate studies if our programs fit your needs and situation.
Graduate Program Coordinator
parker@southern.edu
423.236.2683
