Online Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry

An online Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry prepares students for a variety of careers in religious leadership or counseling. A position as head pastor or lead pastor of a church is one of the most common vocations pursued by graduates of online masters degree programs in pastoral ministry. Other career options for students who complete online masters programs in pastoral ministry include youth leadership, counseling, and missionary work.

Online Master’s Degrees in Pastoral Ministry Requirements

Certain natural attributes and skills increase a student’s likelihood of finding success when pursuing an online pastoral ministry masters degree. Characteristics shared by individuals who possess suitable aptitude for online master’s degree programs in pastoral ministry include devout faith in God, deep desire to help and serve others, generosity, and kindness. Also, the ability to comfortably speak in front of a crowd proves useful for those who aspire to any type of pastoral career.

Graduates of various bachelor’s degree programs may choose to further their education with online masters in pastoral ministry. Some of the most common undergraduate disciplines that lead students to online master’s degree programs in pastoral ministry include:

• Theology
• Religious Studies
• Psychology
• History
• Communication
• Sociology
• Cultural Studies

Online masters pastoral ministry students have often worked previously in vocations such as Sunday school or youth leadership, social work, counseling, and education. However, people of faith from any career field may choose to pursue an online masters degree pastoral ministry education because they feel as if it is their calling to do so.

Online Pastoral Ministry Master’s Degree Education

Good online master’s programs in pastoral ministry typically take between 2 to 3 years to complete. The types of master degrees online in pastoral ministry offered by the best pastoral ministry masters programs online include:

• Master of Science in Pastoral Ministry (MS in Pastoral Ministry)
• Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry (MA in Pastoral Ministry)
• Master of Arts in Theology (MA in Theology)
• Master of Arts in Pastoral Leadership (MA in Pastoral Leadership)
• Master of Arts in Religious Education (MA in Religious Education)

In addition to pursuing a pastoral ministry masters degree online, students may also choose to obtain an online bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry or even a pastoral ministry PhD or doctorate degree.

Information on Pastoral Ministry Courses

Online master’s pastoral ministry majors will complete coursework in various subjects aimed at providing the well-rounded education students need to become capable religious leaders. The best accredited pastoral ministry master’s programs online offer specialized courses, such as:

• Biblical Studies
  A biblical studies course involves a thorough exploration of each book of the Holy Bible. Professors teach online master’s degree pastoral ministry students to interpret stories and messages in the bible by examining the historical timeline during which the stories occur. Often, online master degree programs in pastoral ministry will divide biblical studies into two courses, devoting one course to Old Testament studies and another to New Testament studies.
• Theology
  A student pursuing a pastoral ministry master’s degree online takes a theology course to learn the fundamental theories and beliefs associated with various religious denominations.
• Public Speaking
  Any accredited college offering an online master degree in pastoral ministry will require students to successfully complete a public speaking course. This course teaches students to confidently speak in front of crowds. Public speaking skills are paramount to a successful career in ministry.
• Ministry
  An online master’s in pastoral ministry student will take at least one ministry course, if not several. Ministry courses enable students to develop the skills to minister to congregations, communities and even other cultures in the context of missionary work.
• Pastoral Counseling
  The best online master programs in pastoral ministry typically require students to complete coursework in pastoral counseling. Congregation and community members often call upon their pastors to provide counseling for serious problems including marital strife, addictions, and depression. Online master in pastoral ministry majors must acquire the skills necessary to competently and confidentially mediate such issues.

Specializations and Concentrations

Because pastoral ministry is a broad field, in order to become an expert in a specific niche, some online master’s pastoral ministry students will pursue specialties or concentrations in areas including:

• Theology
• Religious Education
• Biblical History
• Cultural Studies
• Psychology
• Evangelism
• Leadership
• Philosophy

Careers in Pastoral Ministry

Upon graduating with an online master in pastoral ministry, individuals possess the necessary skills to qualify for an array of careers, such as:

• Senior or Lead Pastor
  Sometimes referred to as a reverend, preacher, or priest, the senior or lead pastor of a church is entrusted with the responsibility of delivering weekly sermons and providing ministry to his or her congregation whenever necessary; this includes visiting the sick or elderly in their homes or at hospitals. Lead pastors earn $42,950 per year on average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment in this field to experience growth between 7 and 13 percent from 2008 to 2018.
• Youth Leader
  Youth leaders, also called youth pastors in certain churches, take responsibility for teaching and counseling the teen-aged adolescents in their church. Given the turbulent emotions and experiences of youth in this age group, youth leaders must possess patience and wisdom. The average annual wage for a youth leader ranges from $25,000 and $42,000. Employment in this field is expected to grow by approximately 10 percent from 2008 to 2018.
• Counselor
  An online master in pastoral ministry qualifies graduates for various counseling positions. An individual may provide counseling services within a church, school, or clinical setting. The median annual wage for a counselor is $51,050, although that number can grow exponentially if one continues his or her education and obtains a doctoral degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 18 percent employment growth in the counseling field between 2008 and 2018.
• Religious Educator
  Graduates of an online master’s degree program in pastoral ministry may pursue a career in religious teaching. Religious educators can teach in private schools or colleges offering religious studies. The annual salary for religious educators can range from $30,000 to over $60,000 depending on where they teach. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment in the educational career field to experience a 12 percent growth from 2008 to 2018.

An individual who possesses the characteristics necessary to graduate from an online pastoral ministry master’s degree program can receive deep fulfillment from a rewarding ministry career. Pastoral ministry career options abound for anyone who embodies the desire to serve others through religious means.