Master of Arts in Religion – Pastoral Ministries Tailor Your Ministry Path

60

Credit Hours

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100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) is designed to prepare students entering ministry with an in-depth but practical education in theology, biblical studies, and ministry practice. While completing the online Master of Arts in Religion, one of Liberty’s most popular online ministry degrees, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a program that provides flexibility to tailor the degree plan to your passions and needs. Students who complete an online ministry degree program like our online master’s degree in religion can effectively pursue ministry in churches, parachurch organizations, and non-profit organizations while opening the door to further study at the graduate and doctoral levels.

The pastoral ministries area of study for the Master of Arts in Religion is designed to give pastors and church leaders additional training in providing pastoral care to meet the spiritual needs of their congregation and community. Students who are called to a hands-on ministry role and feel unequipped to meet people’s spiritual and relational needs will find the tools for effective, personal ministry leadership in the pastoral ministries area of study.


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What Sets Us Apart?

  • Private Nonprofit University
  • 600+ Online Degrees
  • No Standardized Testing for Admission
  • Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
  • Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

As an accredited online Christian college, Liberty University makes it easier to pursue an online ministry degree with the flexibility of a 100% online format, while holding weight as a master’s degree credential. Liberty University’s online seminary programs, such as the online master’s in religion, will give you a fully-fledged, online college degree in ministry that can equip you for ministry in a variety of fields.

Students in any specialization of the online Master of Arts in Religion will receive foundational instruction in the fundamentals of discipleship ministry, sermon preparation, and practical ministry skills. Students who complete the area of study in pastoral ministries will be further equipped to meet the spiritual needs of their church and ministry with training in pastoral care and spiritual leadership. The pastoral ministries area of study provides an in-depth study of pastoral care, spiritual warfare, and the important factors of ministry growth and success through effective pastoral leadership.

Accreditation

Liberty Theological Seminary, as part of Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Your seminary degree is approved by ATS and has met rigorous accreditation standards, so you can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.

ATS Accreditation

Liberty University’s online Master of Arts in Religion contains extensive, well-rounded training in ministry, administration of Christian organizations, theology studies, and biblical studies. The core of the online master’s in religion will provide in-depth topic studies of the Old and New Testament, history of Christianity, systematic theology, and the research, writing, and sermon preparation process.

The online pastoral ministries area of study provides training in the spiritual factors of growing churches, as well as the role of a pastor or church leader in strategic prayer and spiritual warfare for bringing the congregation together and meet ministry challenges.

Students in the pastoral ministries area of study will also receive pastoral counseling training to better serve their congregation and community, as well as learn the most effective ways of preventing ministry failure.

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)


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Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Electronic textbooks are provided for many divinity courses* all for one convenient fee. To continue our mission of providing affordable education, this fee is waived for students who enroll by Summer 2024 D-term.

*Electronic textbooks are not provided for courses that fall under departments outside the School of Divinity.

Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours) $2,750
Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (0-8.99 or over 15 credit hours) $395/Credit
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours) $2,475
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (0-8.99 or over 15 credit hours) $275/Credit

These rates also apply to the MA in Pastoral Counseling, which falls under the School of Behavioral Sciences.


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Military

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

  • Active Duty
  • Reserve/National Guard
  • Veterans/Retirees
  • Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
  • Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

  • Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for part-time graduate and postgraduate divinity courses
  • Discounted divinity block rate – $2,475 per semester*
  • Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)**
  • 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

These benefits also apply to the MA in Pastoral Counseling, which falls under the School of Behavioral Sciences.

*Credits taken below 9 and above 15 credit hours per semester are charged at the part-time rate.

**Not applicable to certificates.