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
These rates are reflective of academic year 2024-2025. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
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
