Skip to content

BA in Christian Ministry

Next Start Dates

Become a competent, compassionate Christian minister in a postmodern world with our entirely online program for all ages.

Multiple classes are offered throughout the year. Apply today to be ready for the next class!

Inquire Now

Want to talk to an enrollment specialist? Complete this form and we’ll be in touch.

Loading...

Online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Christian Ministry

Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Christian Ministry degree prepares adults at any age and any stage to be competent, compassionate, and committed ministers in a postmodern world.

Our completely online format allows you to complete coursework on your own schedule, around your current professional and personal responsibilities. Flexible, six-week courses are perfect for new college students, adults looking to complete a bachelor's degree, and lifelong learners looking for a subsequent degree that will open doors to career ministry and ordination.

Through this online ministry degree, you will:

  • Develop a biblical, theological, and historical foundation for practicing ministry;
  • Learn to apply classic disciplines to pastoral ministry and other forms of service;
  • Improve their leadership, communication, counseling, education, and pastoral care skills;
  • Improve the art of proclamation, including interpreting scripture, applying it to human needs, and communication for evangelism, Christian nurture, and moral challenge;
  • Identify their purpose and goals in ministry and plan, implement, as well as review their own progress toward these benchmarks; and
  • Work toward a position as a lead, associate, youth, or children’s pastor or a church planter.

Christian Ministry Degree Highlights

A degree in Christian ministry can take you to minister in the far corners of the kingdom or in your own backyard. Our accelerated online program can be completed anytime, anywhere.

Group 7002 (2)

Tuition & Cost

$398 per credit hour**

Group 6999

Program Length

23 months*

Group 7002

Total Credit Hours

37

*Ministry core only, does not include ordination concentration or total credit hour graduation requirements.

**MVNU’s Ministry Scholarship, at a rate of $400 per class, is automatically applied toward the tuition costs for the online BA in Christian Ministry major core and the ordination concentration. The scholarship amounts to $4,800 for the core courses and $2,800 for all concentration courses. The scholarship does not go toward credit for general education courses. A separate discount is available for MVNU Online Connect students, for whom this scholarship does not apply.

++30 credit hours of the program must be completed at MVNU. Other restrictions apply. Please contact our Enrollment Team for additional information.

Curriculum

BBA 101

Biblical Interpretation

Dig deeper than ever before into a study of the assumptions and principles underlying the interpretation of various types of literature found in the Bible. Special emphasis is given to exegesis of biblical passages and how to apply God’s truth as you study to teach and learn.

MINS 3033

Mission & Evangelism

Enjoy an overview of the biblical and theological bases for mission and evangelism, including the biblical mandate, theological framework, and practical outworking of the missio Dei as well as anthropological and ethnic factors in the expansion of the mission church.

MINS 4053

Pastoral Theology & Practice

A study of pastoral theology and its specific expression through pastoral care and leadership. The course addresses the core values shaping the pastoral task and explores how these values shape the work of the pastor as a shepherd leader.

Curriculum stats/highlights

Students interested in earning a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of general education, all requirements for the major, and 39 upper division credit hours. Many courses fulfill more than one requirement so most majors can be completed within the 120 credit hour minimum.

Students may be able fulfill their general education or elective class requirements by transferring previously earned undergraduate credits or applying Prior Learning credits gained through job or military training. In these cases, students may be able to complete this online degree in Christian Ministry in as few as 21 months.

Within these requirements, all online BA in Christian Ministry students must complete Old Testament History & Literature, New Testament History & Literature, and Public Speaking (3 credit hours each) before moving on to the major’s core courses.

The core classes are sufficient for earning a standalone ministry degree from MVNU; however, students seeking to be ordained into the Church of the Nazarene may want to consider the ordination concentration. Completing this 15 credit–hour concentration on top of the core requirements provides students with a certificate from a validated course of study for ordination.

Through the online BA in Christian Ministry core and the ordination concentration curriculum, students must maintain a minimum cumulative major GPA of 2.5, with no course grade lower than a “C-”.

Courses

Core Courses Credit Hours
Student Success Strategies 1
Biblical Interpretation 3
Spiritual Formation and Discipleship 3
Educational and Family Ministries 3
Pentateuch 3
Life and Letters of Paul 3
Mission and Evangelism 3
Christian Heritage II 3
Preaching and Worship 3
Christian Theology I 3
Christian Theology II 3
Pastoral Theology and Practice 3
Missional Church Leadership 3
Total BA in Christian Ministry Core Hours 37
Ordination Concentration Curriculum Credit Hours
Theology and Language of the Bible 3
History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene 2
Ministry in Diverse Contexts 2
Christian Heritage I 3
Doctrine of Christian Holiness 2
Ministry Internship I 1
Ministry Internship II 1
Total Ordination Concentration Hours 14

How much will it all cost?

Group 7002 (2)

Tuition

Online BA (37 credit hours): $8,995
Ordination concentration (14 credit hours): $2,307

Group 7002

Financial Aid

Apply for scholarships, loans, grants, and tuition reimbursement.

Get the Facts

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook shows that demand for clergy professions is expected to increase 6% from 2018 through 2028.

+6%

Job Growth in ministry careers

College Guide

Learn More about the BACM

If you’re ready to launch your ministry career, this degree is for you. Hear directly from the program coordinator about program structure, timing, cost, and next steps.

Check these majors out, too!

Social Work (BSW)

Make helping people your profession with a bachelor’s degree in social work, 100% online.

Business Administration (BBA)

Build a solid business foundation and choose from one of six majors to hone your skills and interests, 100% online.

Site Designed and Developed by 5by5 - A Change Agency