MA in Practical Ministry Degree Online

Credit Hours

Online,* 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026 | May 18, 2026

Align Your Master’s Degree with Your Ministry Training with Liberty’s MA in Practical Ministry Degree Online

If you’re already serving in a church setting and hope to find academic support that fits alongside your ministry residency, Liberty University’s online Master of Arts (MA) in Practical Ministry has just what you need. Rather than pulling you away from your ministry, this program is designed to complement the work you’re already doing. Your day-to-day experiences in the local church can become part of the learning process, giving you space to reflect on ministry practice while engaging in graduate-level study that is relevant to your current and future endeavors.

As you move through the coursework, you can explore Scripture and Christian theology in depth while remaining embedded in the community you’re serving. You can continue learning where you are now, bringing questions from the field into the virtual classroom and applying insights from your coursework into your ministry setting. Our goal is to help you become a Champion for Christ who seeks to further the Kingdom of God and impact the lives of those around you.

If you’re searching for a learning experience that is integrated, adaptable, and grounded in the local church, then we can help. We’re excited to come alongside you as you follow God’s calling on your life. Partner with us and prepare to take your ministry skills to the next level!

Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Arts (MA) in Practical Ministry.

*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.

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.

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No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Why Choose Liberty’s Practical Ministry Master’s Degree?

Choosing Liberty University’s MA in Practical Ministry means pursuing a degree designed to fit your life. With our online courses, you can further your education while remaining active in your church, family, and career. Additionally, the residency courses allow you to receive academic credit for the ministry residency you’re already doing. This blend of online coursework and in-person experience seeks to give you flexibility while still incorporating essential, on-the-job training.

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and the Liberty Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). These accreditations reflect Liberty’s commitment to academic quality and theological education that meets recognized standards. As you progress through the program, you can engage with graduate-level coursework shaped by accountability, rigor, and intentional support for your academic growth.

At Liberty, you’ll study under faculty who bring both academic credentials and real-world ministry experience into the virtual classroom. Liberty’s professors are actively engaged in service, scholarship, and leadership, allowing them to speak thoughtfully into the challenges and opportunities you may encounter in church and ministry settings. With their guidance, you can explore ministry leadership, theology, and practice in ways that are informed by experience and shaped by thoughtful, biblically grounded academics.

What Will You Study in Our MA in Practical Ministry Online Degree?

The coursework in our practical ministry degree online is centered around theological reflection and ministry practice in the local church. You’ll be able to take a course on either the life of Christ or the New Testament Church as well as study the foundations of Christian theology. You’ll also dive into topics related to ministry training and helpful tools that can be applied to your study of Scripture. These types of courses can help you frame your ministry within a broader biblical perspective.

A defining feature of this degree is the sequence of 4 mentored ministry residency courses, which are designed to integrate your existing residency into your degree. In order to complete these residency requirements, you must be working and/or serving in a church or ministry under the supervision of a qualified ministry leader. This format gives you the opportunity to receive course credit for your experience while providing a solid academic base to further strengthen and nurture your ministry skills and biblical understanding.

You’ll also have the freedom to shape your studies by selecting practical ministry electives from a wide range of available options. These electives allow you to focus on areas that align with your interests and goals. The program concludes with a practical ministry capstone that will draw on what you’ve learned throughout your residency to demonstrate your understanding of the strategies, skills, and processes necessary for effective ministry and leadership.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for many divinity courses* all for one convenient fee.

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

Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours)	$2,850
Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (1-8.99 or over 15 credit hours)	$410/Credit
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours)	$2,575
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (1-8.99 or over 15 credit hours)	$290/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Admission Information for Our Practical Ministry Master’s Degree Program

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
Submit the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Questionnaire (login required).
Submit contact information (login required) for 1 pastoral recommender.
Submit the Residency Verification Form to confirm enrollment in a training program, internship, or residency in a ministry setting under qualified supervision.
Department Admission Review approval required – upon all documents being received on the checklist, the application will be sent to the department for review.
- In some cases, the department may need to reach out to a student’s residency location to establish a residency agreement. A decision review will not be started until this step has been completed, at which point decisions will be made within 1-2 business days (24-48 hours).
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Unofficial College Transcript Policy

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
Cumulative GPA
A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

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 – $290 per credit hour for part-time graduate and postgraduate divinity courses
Discounted divinity block rate – $2,575 per semester*
Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder **
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)

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

**Not applicable to certificates, postgraduate, or doctoral programs.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s in Practical Ministry Degree Programs

What is the best degree for ministry?

At Liberty, we offer several ministry-focused master’s degrees. Understanding how these programs differ can help you choose the path that best aligns with your experience and goals.

The MA in Practical Ministry is designed specifically for those who are already participating in a ministry residency. It pairs graduate coursework with the residency you’re currently in, allowing academic study and hands-on ministry to take place simultaneously.
The MA in Applied Ministry offers a unique approach by allowing you to customize your degree with divinity and non-divinity areas of study – ranging from chaplaincy, homiletics, and pastoral leadership to business, communication, psychology, and much more.
The MA in Christian Ministry provides a broad foundation in many different ministry-related topics, including biblical interpretation, evangelism, pastoral care and counseling, intercultural communication, discipleship ministries, and Christian theology.

Each option varies in its approach and scope, so the best choice depends on whether you’re seeking residency-aligned training, studies that meld divinity and non-divinity studies, or a broad foundation for Christian ministry.

What is a ministry residency?

A ministry residency, also known as a church residency, is a structured internship or practicum-like experience within a local church or parachurch ministry. It includes immersive ministry training and seeks to help prepare you for vocational ministry through hands-on experience, mentorship, and theological development.

Ministry residencies typically emphasize participation in the life of the church or organization, practical ministry assignments, spiritual formation, and leadership training under the guidance of experienced Christian leaders. By giving you exposure to ministerial responsibilities, a residency can help you prepare to serve effectively in future ministry roles.

What can you do with a ministry degree?

A master’s in practical ministry degree can help equip you to serve in ways that align with your calling and the context where you feel led to work. How you use your degree may depend on factors such as your prior experience and the specific ministry setting you’re interested in.

With an MA in Practical Ministry, you could pursue roles in local churches, nonprofit organizations, faith-based ministries, or parachurch settings where biblical understanding and ministry leadership skills are essential. You may find yourself serving in pastoral or associate ministry roles, discipleship or spiritual formation, church administration, missions or outreach coordination, youth or family ministry, or leadership roles within faith-based nonprofits. A practical ministry master’s degree can also provide a strong foundation for future doctoral studies in case you decide to further your education later on.

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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MA in Practical Ministry Degree Pair Academic Coursework with Real-World Experience

Align Your Master’s Degree with Your Ministry Training with Liberty’s MA in Practical Ministry Degree Online

Accreditation

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s Practical Ministry Master’s Degree?

What Will You Study in Our MA in Practical Ministry Online Degree?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Our Practical Ministry Master’s Degree Program

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

Ready to Apply?

Military

Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s in Practical Ministry Degree Programs

What is the best degree for ministry?

What is a ministry residency?

What can you do with a ministry degree?

Are you ready to change your future?

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