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Exhibiting lessons learned from an M.A. in Ministry Leadership degree from Cornerstone Theological Seminary. Exhibiting lessons learned from an M.A. in Ministry Leadership degree from Cornerstone Theological Seminary.

Bachelor of Arts in
Ministry Leadership

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Wall Street Journal ranks Cornerstone University as one of America's best colleges 2026.

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July 6, 2026
August 26, 2026
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Transfer up to 75% of your program credits

Advance Your Mission with a Ministry Leadership Bachelor’s Degree

Share the gospel and your love for Scripture with a B.A. in Ministry Leadership from Cornerstone University. Whether called to pastoral ministry, missions, or nonprofit leadership, you’ll gain the skills to lead churches, ministries, and communities with greater impact. Designed for busy ministry professionals, this flexible, affordable online degree offers biblically faithful training from experienced ministry leaders and theologians, all teaching from a Christian worldview. Grow in your faith and strengthen your leadership capabilities to advance your ministry impact.

Develop Ministry-Ready Skills for Ministry Leadership Professionals

Gain these highly sought-after skills through Cornerstone’s Biblically-based bachelor’s degree in ministry leadership:

Core Theological Foundations – Master Old and New Testament Biblical studies and interpretation, Christian doctrine and spiritual formation from a Biblical worldview.

Ministry Fundamentals – Learn key skills in managing a ministry or nonprofit organization, including marketing, finance, human resources, fundraising and more.

Discipleship & Spiritual Formation – Deepen personal faith and self-management abilities and effectively lead others to do the same.

Communication – Apply written and verbal skills in communication, conflict resolution and negotiation to help cultivate a beautiful Christian community within your ministry or organization.

Ethical & Servant Leadership – Lead with integrity, humility, and a Christ-centered focus by developing a Christian worldview.

Courses

Cornerstone is ready to help you excel in your chosen field. The information below reflects just a few of the general education and industry-focused courses you will experience to achieve your degree.

Featured Courses

BBL-228: Principles of Biblical Studies

Learn essential Bible study methods, with a focus on inductive study, to become an independent and effective student of Scripture.

IDS-302: Principles of Self-Management

Explore personal strengths, group interaction, and priority management while developing skills in communication, goal setting, and time management.

MIN-312: Personal Growth for Effective Leadership

Pursue personal growth for leadership through spiritual disciplines, recognition of gifts and abilities, and relationships that foster accountability.

MGT-315: Negotiation & Conflict Resolution

Strengthen communication and management skills to address conflict, build understanding, and achieve resolution.

MGT-316: Managing the Not-for-Profit Organization

Explore key management principles in marketing, finance, fundraising, legal issues, human resources, and technology for nonprofit organizations.

MGT-317: Organizational Behavior & Processes

Examine organizational behavior, structures, and processes, focusing on how culture, individual roles, and group dynamics influence motivation and productivity.

MIN-331: Philosophy of Leadership

Study biblical leadership principles, theological foundations, and essential skills to develop a personal philosophy of ministry.

MIN-338: Ministry Ethics and Values

Explore the principles and values that guide ethical decisions and ministry practices, developing a personal code of ethics shaped by a Christ-centered worldview.

View all of the courses for your academic program.

Academic Catalog

General Education

The Cornerstone Core™ Statement

The Cornerstone Core offers a groundbreaking general education unlike any other college or university in America. Faith, civic understanding and career preparation are fully integrated into one coherent formation. Developed by our renowned Christian worldview scholars, this focused 33-credit-hour curriculum develops both depth of character and clarity of thinking. The Cornerstone Core new general education curriculum is an antidote to the rising popularity of relativism, skepticism, doubt and moral ambiguity. Graduates are prepared to succeed in their professions and strengthen the institutions and communities they serve as Biblically grounded moral leaders to influence the world for Jesus Christ.

Students in every major study three areas:

The Beauty of Christianity

Examine the beauty of God, the Gospel, and the core doctrines of the Christian faith. Discover the coherence of a worldview rooted in God’s truth through Scripture applied today —- shaping character, conviction, and spiritual depth. We believe that beauty is more important than arguments and these courses will introduce students to the grandeur and beauty of Jesus and His creation and our place in the redemptive work of Jesus.

The Wisdom of the American Experience

Engage with Cornerstone’s Great Works Canon of the American Experience, by exploring the original speeches, sermons and foundational texts that shaped the American Republic, wrestling with enduring questions of liberty, order, duty and self-government. Graduates will learn what it means to be Christian citizens who are dutiful, wise, and formed with character to influence themselves, their families, and our nation.

Marketplace Intelligence

Develop analytical reasoning, scientific thinking, ethical utilization of artificial intelligence, commitment to free market economics, ethical clarity, and truthful and effective communication strategies to create solutions to complex challenges and serve society and humanity with excellence. Graduates will be able to consider and discern what is true, beautiful and good.

Learn more about the Cornerstone Core.

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Influential Careers with a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership Degree

  • Church Administrator
  • Youth Pastor
  • Worship Leader
  • Missionary
  • Nonprofit Director
  • Ministry Coordinator
  • Christian Educator
  • Chaplain
  • Discipleship Director
  • Community Outreach Coordinator
  • Faith-Based Organizational Leader
  • Small Group Ministry Leader

Tuition

Online

Online

$4,740 per semester for full-time students

Generous scholarship and payment options available.

ScholarshipsFile the FAFSA

Your Degree Starts Here

Start your degree at one of the most affordable Christian universities in the region. An admissions counselor is ready to help you begin the enrollment process.

  1. Apply — our application is free.
  2. Set goals — your admissions counselor is here to guide you.
  3. Maximize your credits — you could transfer in up to 75% of your degree credits.
  4. Discover affordability — scholarships and grants are available for qualified students.

Cornerstone has taught me how to incorporate Christ in everything that I do in my life even my education.

—Robin E.

Being part of a cohort made my experience at Cornerstone feel more like a family experience. We supported each other. We were not alone on this journey.

—Alaenna R.

Biblical Hermeneutics, Ministerial Ethics, and Spiritual Formation have had major impacts on me as a believer and helped my as a preacher and a pastor.

—Robert T.

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