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An alumnus: A Church Leadership certificate program is offered by Regent University.

Certificate of Graduate Studies in Church Leadership

Online
12
January 13, 2025
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The Certificate in Church Leadership, offered online, is a graduate-level certificate that provides an important look at essential areas of leadership, discipleship, administration, pastoral care and conflict resolution.

  • Explore models of biblical discipleship to enhance your leadership in the church.
  • Examine pastoral care processes and gain a broad understanding of how to provide effective pastoral counseling.
  • Evaluate your lifestyle, disciplines, and skills to become a more effective ministry leader.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

This certificate may help you grow as an expert in your field and advance your calling as a lay minister, pastor or nonprofit team member.

DIV 500 Graduate Foundations for Divinity (2), as required upon admission, and SFRM 501 Spiritual Formation Foundations (3), plus 9 credit hours from the following list of Divinity courses:

Featured Courses
DIV 500Graduate Foundations for Divinity2
Provides the knowledge, resources, and essential skills needed for success at the graduate level. Topics include academic writing, online learning, information literacy and advising and support services for Divinity students.
PMIN 601Models of Biblical Discipleship3
Biblical principles for building reproducing disciples based upon the Great Commission, including discipleship strategies for a range of settings.
PMIN 602Pastoral Care, Counseling & Conflict3
Strategies for effective emotional and spiritual healing in the unique context of the Church. Presents models for biblically based, spiritually-gifted strategies to address key issues as an integrated part of the mentoring and disciple-making process.
PMIN 603Christian Leadership Development3
Biblical principles concerning the development and exercise of Christian leadership in ministry settings. Emphasis on mobilizing people for Spirit-led service in the local church.
PMIN 604Ministry Administration3
Effective administration and management in ministry, with emphasis on application in the local church. Special attention is given to organization structure, budgets and facilities, church and non-profit law, and church security.
PMIN 605Preaching Ministry3
The theology, theory and practice of preaching with emphasis on expository, narrative and topical forms of sermons. Mainly consists of preaching experiences with feedback evaluation by instructor and students. Prerequisite: PMIN 524.
PMIN 606Pastoral Theology3
An integrated perspective of the pastoral functions, practices and offices in the local church, with special applied emphasis on the sacraments, ordinances, funerals and weddings. Critical issues in pastoral leadership are examined with an emphasis on avoiding pastoral pitfalls and fulfilling one’s calling with integrity.
SFRM 501Spiritual Formation Foundations3
Examines the biblical, historical, and theological aspects of Christian formation, including the holistic and other models, with emphasis on both personal life and ministry contexts. Taken in the first semester of degree and begins the Spiritual Formation Portfolio.

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session MFriday, September 6Monday, September 16
Session BFriday, October 11Monday, October 21
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session TFriday, January 31Monday, February 10
Session DFriday, March 7Monday, March 17
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12
Session FFriday, June 13Monday, June 23

Certificate programs are designed for those seeking professional development through continuing education for ministers and pastors. Students earn graduate credit that can be applied toward a ministry degree program if further study is desired. Certificate students wishing to earn an academic degree must apply separately to that degree program and meet full admission requirements. Acceptance into a certificate program does not guarantee acceptance into a degree program.

Application Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Certificate of Graduate StudiesTuition Cost Per Credit HourTotal CreditsTuition Cost for Certificate
Biblical Languages$53012$6,360
Biblical Studies$53012$6,360
Christian Theology$53012$6,360
Church History$53012$6,360
Church Leadership$53012$6,360
Online Ministry$53012$6,360
Spiritual Formation$53012$6,360
Worship & Media$53012$6,360

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

“I received a direct commission to the U.S. Army Reserves in the rank of Second Lieutenant on April 10, 2019. The decision to pursue a military career came as a result of my prayerfully discerning a clear call from God to join ministry, specifically through military chaplaincy during this time.”

Whitney Mathis, M. Div., 2020

“The online and on-campus experiences were different, but both very rewarding. The way they designed online learning really felt like a live classroom environment — still very informative and relational, even with people from around the world there.”

Jesse Eisenhart, Joint M.A., 2009 M.A. in Practical Theology & Human Service Counseling

“As a husband, father and entrepreneur, I continually change hats. Regent University helped me juggle it all.”

Phillip Wyman, 2016

“My journey through the School of Divinity was transformational, challenging and inspirational. The Spirit-filled faculty and staff were dedicated to my success as a student and a military officer. My classes — both on campus and online — exuded excellence and sound biblical teaching.”

Tierra S. Gibbs, M.A., 2012 Practical Theology

“My Spiritual Formation class acts as a daily guide for me...I was once away from God and wrestling with him...The book points out that the Kingdom of Heaven is wherever Jesus is. Because I am a believer, The Almighty is with me...Regardless of how and what we feel, God still blesses us by showing us how mighty He is. A God of His word.”

Chaplain Mario Samaniego, Master of Divinity