Ministry Degrees

If you have a passion for teaching and leading youth as well as families, GCU offers various ministry degrees to help turn that passion into a rewarding career. An undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Youth Ministry, can get you started on your journey of educating and inspiring the next generation of Christian leaders. If you decide to pursue a graduate degree, a Master of Arts in Youth and Family Ministry can help you build the foundation needed to become a youth leader or serve your local community.

Those who are looking to serve God while utilizing their creativity may consider earning their bachelor’s in worship arts degree, with options of emphases such as media ministry and worship ministry. In these programs, you will be taught a foundation of biblical knowledge while having the opportunity to apply your creative talents through media production, songwriting, arranging and other aspects of musical performance.

If you are called to ministry, GCU offers degrees in Christian ministry at the bachelor’s and master’s levels so you can turn your calling into a career. Undergraduate students looking to pursue a career in ministry can gain a well-rounded theological education with a bachelor’s in Christian ministry. A master’s in Christian ministry program is set up for individuals looking to position themselves for potential key pastoral positions to guide and care for their church community.

If you feel called to spread the love of Christ to people in urban settings and around the world, GCU has a program for you. Our BA in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Global Ministry may be ideal for those who want to deepen their understanding of the Bible through exploring faith in a cross-cultural context. An MA in Urban Ministry focuses on best practices for bringing God’s Word to fast-paced, inner-city neighborhoods and implementing it in a way that makes a difference.

Having an educational foundation in organizational structure, leadership and development skills can be helpful when looking to start a ministry. You may consider earning your undergraduate degree, preferably in a discipline that focuses on ministry. A graduate degree such as a Master of Divinity degree can help you further build your ministerial education and leadership skills.

If you wish to pursue even further education, you may decide to obtain a degree such as a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership: Christian Ministry (Qualitative Research). This program may be ideal for those who would like to learn about the most important trends and themes in ministry, develop necessary leadership skills, and learn what starting a ministry entails, all while deepening your Christian faith.

A certificate in ministry shows that you have gained the background and knowledge needed to practice ministerial service. With this, you can consider positions that allow you to teach the Word of God to others, such as a director of religious activities and education or a religion teacher.

Biblical qualifications for pastors are described in several New Testament passages including, for example, 1 Timothy 3. Additionally, the church you wish to serve will have its own specific qualifications on what you need to become a pastor with that organization. However, there are some common qualifications shared by several denominations.

An aspiring pastor will likely need an education related to biblical studies, ministry, theology or divinity, such as an online pastoral degree. Programs, such as the Master of Divinity degree, are also becoming a popular choice for aspiring pastors, as these programs are designed to prepare pastors for the work required of a congregation leader, while also teaching students in-depth knowledge in other relevant areas of the church.⁴

There are certain steps that aspiring religious education teachers can take when pursuing this career path. These professionals should have a background in theology, religious studies or another related area. Depending on the individual school’s requirements, you may need to complete student teaching hours to meet state licensure requirements.

To teach at a college level, you may need to earn an advanced degree, such as a doctoral degree. Some candidates may also benefit from completing a graduate certificate — such as a graduate certificate in biblical foundations or ministry education — to continue learning and developing as a teaching professional.⁵

A degree with a focus in urban ministry aims to provide you with the awareness, strategies and leadership ability to provide guidance to and make the teachings of the gospel accessible for the fast-paced urban community that you will minister to. In contrast, a degree in global ministry can deepen your understanding of scripture while also teaching you various leadership and communication styles in a religious context to help you make an impact and engage others in different cultural settings.

Depending on your career goals and aspirations in the church, you can decide which ministry degree is best for you. If you’re new to ministry and religious studies and you’re looking to build a theological foundation and develop the necessary skills to become a ministry leader, a bachelor’s degree in Christian ministry may be your ideal starting point. If you choose to take your education to the next level, a master’s degree in Christian ministry can provide hands-on field experience and in-depth ministry instruction to help you position yourself for potential advanced ministerial and pastoral positions.

While some churches may not require a formal education, the journey to becoming a youth pastor typically begins with earning a bachelor’s degree with a focus in religious studies or youth ministry. You will also need to complete relevant experience, such as an internship or field hours. This is where you will make connections while also developing and implementing your knowledge of biblical principles, youth leadership and youth-related issues.