Asbury Theological Seminary’s 48-hour Master of Arts in Ministry (M.A. in Ministry) prepares you for ministry in congregational leadership, Latino/a ministry & leadership, pastoral care, children and youth and family ministries. This degree combines core Biblical and theological reflection to help you contextualize ministry in a rapidly changing world. You’ll integrate theology, history, sociology, ethics and leadership to develop capacities for 21st century ministry.
Study online. Stay on mission.
With an online Master of Arts in Ministry degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.
Complete this 48-hour MAM degree in as few as three years with online classes and as few as two, one-week campus visits. World-renowned scholars integrate theology, history, anthropology, ethics and leadership into your coursework that’s designed specifically for your ministry context. Through campus visits, online courses and practicums, you’ll gain a community of life-long friendships and practical skills to be a creative and innovative ministry leader.
What to Expect from the Degree
As you complete your degree, you will
- Articulate a practical theology of ministry, grounded in the biblical narrative and orthodox theology with attention to your specialized ministry track, informed by insights from human sciences, church tradition and experience.
- Demonstrate competency in ministry practices of leading, preaching and teaching, and equipping congregations.
- Design faith-forming processes and programs specific to the student’s specialized ministry track.
*Refer to the Academic Catalog for the exact working of Program Learning Outcomes.
Complete your degree on campus or online.
Study online. Complete select masters degrees without leaving home by taking two-thirds of your classes online and completing the remaining third through on-campus intensives.
Study on campus. Complete your degree in one of our three locations—Kentucky, Florida or Memphis. Choose to work through your degree in either a residential or urban ministry format or cohort model.
Stay on mission. However you choose to pursue your degree, you’ll develop the biblical and theological understanding essential for a vibrant, contemporary ministry rooted in the Wesleyan tradition.
Admissions Requirements
- Application Form
- Accredited baccalaureate degree
- Official transcripts from all postsecondary schools where at least 12 hours of coursework was completed
- Personal History Essay – 1050-1500 words (350-500 words per question)
- Share your testimony starting with how you met Jesus Christ. Talk about your growth since that time and what brings you to apply to seminary at this season in your life. Include your thoughts on how you would like to see your faith grow during your time in seminary.
- What draws you to your desired major/area of study? What is your intended outcome upon degree completion? Why is that career or ministry choice meaningful to you?
- Discuss a local, national, and/or international issue and why you are passionate about it.
- Optional: If your GPA is not a good indication of your academic ability, please explain.
- Four references (references cannot be related to applicant)
- Four references, including a pastoral reference (required) and a professor or academic administrator reference (recommended). Laity or personal acquaintances are accepted.
- $50 Nonrefundable Application Fee
- For applicants whose primary language is not English, a TOEFL score of 550 (79 internet-based) or an IELTS score of 6.5
- Background check (completed by the Admissions Office)
- A personal interview may be required upon request by the Admissions Committee
Learn more about what other graduates of Asbury Seminary are doing.
Children and Family Ministry—Explore the many models and facets of early-life spiritual formation in preparation for purposeful ministry with children and youth in congregations, camps, and other agencies.
Church Planting—Be equipped to plant churches, preach effectively and make disciples wherever God calls you through theoretical, theological and practical study.
Congregational Leadership—Develop Kingdom-Centered leadership capacities and qualities as you explore what it means to lead in faith communities, the marketplace, or non-profit organizations.
Latino/a Ministry & Leadership—Learn in a bilingual environment that will help you further develop into who God has created you to be as you gain the tools you need to become a contextual leader in God’s kingdom.
Pastoral Care—Develop ancient and contemporary perspectives and skills for pastoral counseling and care-giving of persons across diverse life experiences. This degree prepares for ministry as a pastor, pastoral care-giver, lay counselor, chaplain, or licensed pastoral counselor.
Preaching—Nurture a vision of Christian preaching as a theological and pastoral activity of the Church in service to the gospel as you explore what it means for preaching to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ revealed in the Christian Scriptures, to be a gift of the Holy Spirit, and to be a human vocation that serves the church’s worship of the Triune God as revealed through the narrative of the whole biblical canon.
Worship—For those interested in focusing their learning on the theology and practice of worship – equipping students to lead congregations into the presence of God.
Youth and Family Ministry—Develop a love for, knowledge of, and skills needed to minister to youth and their families in the local church and community.
The following degree plans have been approved for the 2024-25 academic year. Download the PDF below to see a full listing of all your degree requirements.
- Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) – No Concentration
- Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) – Children & Family Ministry Concentration
- Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) – Church Planting Concentration
- Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) – Congregational Leadership Concentration
- Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) – Latino Ministry and Leadership Concentration
- Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) – Pastoral Care Concentration
- Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) – Preaching Concentration
- Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) – Worship Concentration
- Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) – Youth & Family Ministry Concentration
Asbury Seminary is committed to providing you with a quality theological education and practical skills for a lifetime. We offer more than 400 scholarships annually to help you graduate with minimal debt.
Cost of Attendance
| Degree | Total Credits | Cost |
| Master of Arts | 48 credits | $712/credit hour |
| Total | $34,176 |
| Academic Year 2022-2023 | All Campuses Fall/Spring | All Campuses Summer |
| Technology Fee | $225 per semester | $110 per semester |
| Graduation Fee | $200 one-time fee | $200 one-time fee |
| Student Services Fee | $160 per semester | $80 per semester |
Scholarships
Institutional scholarships are available through Asbury Theological Seminary. Scholarships are highly competitive and priority consideration is given to those who have completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Asbury Financial Aid Application, and who have been admitted by the Admissions Office by March 1.
Recipients of scholarships must represent strong promise for Christian ministry and demonstrate a financial need.
Some of the scholarships include:
- Mary Whetstone and Walter J. Knabe Scholarship – average award $10,700
- Windgate Scholarship – average award $10,000
- J.C. McPheeters Scholarship – average award $7,000
- Timothy C. Tennent Church Planting and Cross-Cultural Missionary Service Scholarship – average award $4,500
- Leo H. Naughton Scholarship – average award $3,200
- Asbury Deans Scholarship – average award $1,500