Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) – Pastoral Ministry
Learn the Skills You Need for a Successful Ministry with Our Master of Arts in Religion – Pastoral Ministry Degree
Pastoral ministry involves caring for God’s people and walking with them in their Christian faith. Pastoring a church requires a variety of skills, and our Master of Arts in Religion – Pastoral Ministry degree will provide you with the foundational training you need to have a successful ministry. In your pastoral ministry classes, you will study pastoral counseling methods, spiritual warfare, influential factors in church growth, and the logistical aspects of serving as a pastor.
Our professors have real-world experience in pastoral ministry, and they are dedicated to helping you follow God’s calling on your life. As a university, we want to help you reach your full potential as you work to further the kingdom of God. Partner with us and become a Champion for Christ.
Pursue Your Degree with Confidence
- Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of ATS, the Association of Theological Schools.
- Learn from theologians who have years of experience as well-respected authors, speakers, and researchers.
- We are committed to defending the authority of Scripture and conservative evangelical theology.
- Our master’s degree in religion provides hands-on experience within the local church as well as opportunities to serve with churches and organizations like the International Mission Board, Hume Lake, Samaritan’s Purse, and Second Baptist Houston.
- The option to take Monday-only classes allows residential graduate students to complete large portions of their M.A. in Religion by attending classes 1 day a week.
- We offer multiple scholarship opportunities to our residential students, including the full-tuition Keesee Scholarship.
What Will You Learn?
- How to develop an active personal prayer life
- How to set realistic expectations for your ministry and prevent burnout
- The relationship between biblical teaching and counseling
- The spiritual factors of church growth
Career Opportunities for Graduates of Our Master’s in Religion – Pastoral Ministry Degree Program
- Associate pastor
- Church planter
- Evangelist
- Lay leader
- Missionary
- Youth pastor
Facilities and Resources for Divinity Students
- The John W. Rawlings School of Divinity is the world’s largest school for religious studies and ministerial training.
- Liberty’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity stands on a solid, biblically based foundation and a firm commitment to conservative evangelical theology.
- Liberty’s John W. Rawlings Scriptorium Museum exhibits Christian scriptural artifacts valued at over $1 million, which are available for scholarly research and study.
- The faculty in our John W. Rawlings School of Divinity are first-rate biblical scholars and theologians in their own right. Liberty’s faculty have impacted the field of biblical scholarship since our founding, including Dr. Ed Hindson who is a fellow of the International Biographical Association in Cambridge, England.
Admission Requirements for School of Divinity Graduate Degrees
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Admission application
- Official bachelor’s degree transcripts with a 2.0 GPA or higher
- Self-certification form for students in the final term of their bachelor’s degree
- Rawlings School of Divinity questionnaire
- Pastoral recommender contact information
- Current Liberty undergraduate students seeking preliminary acceptance into a graduate program must complete a degree completion application through their ASIST account
Credit Hours
Available On Campus
Class Type
Residential
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Aug 18, 2025
Accreditation
ATS Commission on Accrediting
