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Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Leadership (Ministry & Leadership)

Overview

The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Leadership with a concentration in Ministry and Leadership is a professional degree program designed to solidify your biblical foundation while tailoring your degree through your choice of electives in leadership and management, intercultural ministry and specialized ministry skills.

Through this program you will dive deep into Scripture and receive hands-on training from faculty currently serving in ministry roles. No matter your background whether you are an executive pastor, parachurch ministry leader, church planter, or a member of a church looking to serve as a leader youll be prepared to relate your theological understanding and personal spiritual formation to your vocation. You will also be equipped to lead through the mentorship you receive from faculty members, who will spiritually and practically guide you in your academics, vocation and faith.

  • Be Equipped to Practically Apply Theology to Your Ministry. At Talbot, the pragmatic teaching and mentorship you receive will help transform your current ministry. This program will help you gain a deep understanding of theology while also sharpening your relational skills, preparing you to serve and engage with your community.
  • Tailor Your Degree for Personalized Learning. This concentration allows you to customize your learning by selecting six courses (18 credits) from areas in leadership and management, evangelism, missions, intercultural ministry, and ministry skills. In addition, two of these courses (6 credits) can be taken through 51蹤獲s Crowell School of Business.
  • Learn from the Bible Experts. Learning goes beyond the classroom setting. All the courses in this concentration have aspects of hands-on training taught by our distinguished faculty members. Our professors are respected evangelists, preachers and leaders in their various ministries, and their humility to continuously learn from the Word of God and expertly teach others will empower you on your own academic and spiritual journey.
  • Build and Broaden Your Professional Network. Southern California is bustling with churches, ministries and many opportunities to build your professional connections. Even for students taking classes in an online format, you will be able to expand your personal and ministry network. In addition to connecting with faculty and students in your courses, there will be opportunities to connect with the larger community of faculty and students that will encourage you and hold you accountable as you pursue your degree, serve in your ministry and grow in your faith.

For more reasons to choose Talbot School of Theology for your education, see the Why Talbot? page.

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Courses

What will I study as a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Leadership (Ministry and Leadership) student?

Talbot School of Theologys Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Leadership programs include a core of biblical and theological foundation courses, the Spiritual Formation Core, an area of practical ministry specialization, internships and elective courses.

Some of your courses include:

Evangelism and Disciple-Making Strategies (TTPT 510)

This course explores biblical principles for evangelism and discipleship in order to determine the most relevant strategies and practices for individuals and churches to evangelize and disciple in their local context. Note(s): Required of Master of Divinity (Evangelism and Discipleship) and Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Leadership (Ministry and Leadership); option within Master of Divinity (Spiritual Formation) for two of five course selections; option within Master of Divinity (Pastoral and General Ministry) for two of four course selections; option within Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Leadership (Biblical and Pastoral Ministry) for one of two course selections. Grade Mode: A.

Developing Strategic Church Ministries* (TTPT 608)

The course focuses on how to develop specific strategic ministries in a local church, including, but not limited to, life-span discipling, intergenerational ministries, growing new believers, transformational Bible teaching, equipping laity for ministry, and developing innovative ministry resources. Note(s): Option within the Master of Divinity (Spiritual Formation) for two of five course selections; option within the Master of Divinity (Pastoral and General Ministries) for two of four course selections; option within the Master of Divinity (Evangelism and Discipleship) for one of four course selections. Grade Mode: A.

Biblical Management and Ethics (MBAD 613)

Within the context of Scripture, philosophical and ethical principles are identified, discussed, and applied to business problems and situations including the organization's obligation to the individual and to society, and the individual's responsibility to the organization. Grade Mode: A.


Admissions & Deadlines

As a Christian institution, 51蹤獲 seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation toward their field of study. 51蹤獲 does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

Education and GPA Requirements

  • You must have a bachelors degree from an accredited institution by the time you plan to start coursework at 51蹤獲, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Note: If you do not meet the degree or GPA requirements above, you may still be considered for admission. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions office at graduate.admissions@biola.edu. If you are an international student, contact grad.international@biola.edu.

English Proficiency Requirements

  • If English is not your first language, you are required to display your English proficiency before admittance into a 51蹤獲 graduate program. See English Proficiency in the application steps section below.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • General: July 1
    • International Students
      • On Campus: June 1
      • Online/Hybrid: July 1
  • Spring Semester
    • General: November 1
    • International Students: October 1

Visit 51蹤獲

Explore our sunny Southern California campus in person or virtually. Learn more about your program of interest and the admissions process by scheduling an appointment with an admissions counselor.

Visit 51蹤獲

Meet Your Admissions Counselor

If you have more questions about the program, admissions process or 51蹤獲 in general, schedule a phone call or send an email to your admissions counselor.

Graduate Admissions Counselor

Photo of Chris So
Chris So

Email: chris.j.so@biola.edu
Text or Call: (562) 784-7064

International Graduate Admissions Counselor

The Office of International Admissions serves students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

Email: grad.international@biola.edu

Application Steps

  1. Complete and submit the

  2. Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee

  3. Submit supplemental application materials through your online application portal:

  4. Official Transcripts

    • Submit all official transcripts from previous academic institutions.
      • Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
      • If enrolled at the time the application is filed, be sure to request transcripts of work finished to date and final transcripts upon completion of your course of study.
      • Transcripts will be considered official only when a) mailed directly from the institution to 51蹤獲, b) sent electronically through an approved vendor or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.
        • Mail transcripts to:
          51蹤獲 Office of Graduate Admissions
          13800 51蹤獲 Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
    • Note for International Students: All international transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (i.e. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by a credential evaluation agency like (51蹤獲 Discount), or . Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have SpanTran/WES/FIS send them directly to 51蹤獲 via online portal or post (13800 51蹤獲 Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.

    Two Reference Letters

    • Pastoral reference
    • Character reference (someone in a leadership role in your life)
    • Note: Additional instructions can be found in the online application.

    Two Essays

    • Christian testimony
    • Vocational testimony
    • Note: The essay prompts can be found in the online application.

    English Proficiency (required for non-native English speakers)

    • Evidence of English proficiency is required for all students to support student success. Proficiency must be shown through one of the methods described below:
      • Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test
        • TOEFL: minimum score of 90 iBT
        • IELTS: minimum score of 7.0
        • Duolingo: minimum score of 125
      • A degree (bachelors, masters or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
        • Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
        • Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
        • Official catalog verification
        • Note: For universities from non-Anglophone countries, further language assessment may be required.
      • Completion of the English Language Scholars (ELS) with passing status on the ELS's final exit exam, which must be approved by the ELS Director in collaboration with the academic program committee. An updated TOEFL or IELTS score may be used at the end of a term to test directly into the graduate program for the following term.
      • Qualify for English Language Scholars (ELS), which allows students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores to still enroll in their graduate degree program. Students would be taking academic English courses concurrently with the graduate degree program courses. 
        • Students eligible for ELS will be assessed by the ELS Director to determine the total number of academic English courses to take while enrolled in their graduate program courses. The following are the scores needed to qualify for ELS: TOEFL iBT 81 / IELTS 6.5 / Duolingo 110124.
        • Note: Students must be admitted to the graduate program first to be considered for ELS.

     

    Additional Forms

    • Change of Program Form: 
    • Additional Student Forms:

     

    Things to Note

    • Track your application status at any time. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You can complete a portion and finish at a later time. Your information will be saved. When you apply, to guarantee confidentiality, you will be asked to create a user name and a password, and will receive a personalized identification number. Track your application status by logging in to the .
    • Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the students academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.
    • International students who will be studying on campus are required to apply for an F-1 student visa. For more information, visit biola.edu/international/admitted-students.

Tuition and Financial Aid

51蹤獲 is committed to help make your studies affordable — each school offers different scholarship, grant and loan opportunities to help finance your education.

Cost Per Credit (202526) $730
Full-time Tuition Per Term (Estimated) Based on 9 credit courseload$6,570
Part-time Tuition Per Term (Estimated) Based on 3 credit courseload$2,190
Total Program Tuition (Estimated) Based on total program credits and 202526 cost per credit$35,770

Faculty


Format

On Campus: You'll study in person at 51蹤獲's campus in Southern California.

Online: You'll take coursework fully online.

Hybrid (On Campus and Online): This program includes a blend of course formats, including online and in person at 51蹤獲's Southern California campus.

Total Credits

Every program at 51蹤獲 features rigorous academics, biblically integrated curriculum and vocational preparation.

Cost per Credit

This is the cost per credit; total tuition costs for each term will differ for part-time and full-time students.

Standard Completion Time

This indicates the standard duration of this program. Completion time may vary depending on transferred coursework and preferred courseload.

Accreditation

51蹤獲 is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.