Master of Ministry
Prepare for ordained ministry or the Doctor of Ministry program.
36 credit hours. Primarily online or on campus. Complete in 1-2 years.
United’s Master of Ministry (MMin) degree provides a strong basis in theology, church history and biblical studies. Through a robust spiritual formation process, grow in your faith and prepare for ministry in the world today. The MMin is ideal for those who are:
- Preparing for ordination in a denomination that does not require a Master of Divinity degree
- Preparing for the work of Deacon in The United Methodist Church
- Seeking a theological and spiritual foundation for further study in the Doctor of Ministry program
Learning that fits your lifestyle.
Our flexible options are designed to make high-quality education accessible for working pastors and other professionals, making it possible to earn a degree from wherever you live. Courses are available in four formats. Mix and match to suit your schedule and learning style.
• Traditional on-campus courses meet regularly throughout the semester
• Gathering Weeks on campus in Dayton, Ohio take place in October, February, and July.
• Online courses can be completed during the semester.
• Live Interactive Virtual Education (LIVE) courses meet simultaneously on-campus and online.
The MMin degree can be completed primarily online in 1-2 years.*
*Residency requirements may vary by denomination. Each student must check with her or his own denominational leadership regarding residency requirements for ordination.
Flexible Curriculum
With 24 core credit hours and 12 elective credits, gain a strong foundation and add electives that equip you to follow God’s call. Your ministry can be enriched by focused study in the areas of Church History and Theology or Biblical Studies.
Considering further study?
For those with a previous master’s degree who are interested in pursuing advanced study in United’s Doctor of Ministry program, the 36-credit hour MMin program is offered as an approved exception to the ATS Degree Program Standard E, section E.4.3, regarding admission requirements for a DMin program. The MMin program can help you augment a previous master’s degree with theological coursework to achieve the educational equivalent of a Master of Divinity degree.*
*Master of Divinity equivalency is defined as 72 graduate semester hours that represent broad work in theology, biblical studies, and the arts of ministry. A Master of Divinity or its educational equivalent is a pre-requisite for the Doctor of Ministry program.
DEGREE PLAN – 36 CREDIT HOURS
MMIN CORE REQUIREMENTS – 24 CREDIT HOURS
- NT500 Introduction to the New Testament (3)
- OT500 Introduction to the Old Testament (3)
- CH500 Intro to Church History (3)
- TH502 Intro to Theology (3)
- Any 500 Level Introductory Worship Course; or Any 500 Level Introductory Preaching Course(3)
- ER503 Church Renewal for Mission (3)
- CM501 Field Education Unit 1 (0)
- CM510 Contextual Ministry 1 (3)
- CM511 Contextual Ministry 2 (3)
MMIN ELECTIVES – 12 CREDIT HOURS
TH510 Theological Research and Methodology is a recommended elective for those entering the Doctor of Ministry.
MMIN NON-CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
- SS500 Online Master Student Orientation (0)
- SS705 MMin Final Review (0)
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
1. Complete all degree program requirements listed for the MMin. 2. Complete all course credits applied toward the MMin degree within ten years of the awarding of the degree, in keeping with the standards set forth by the Association of Theological Schools. 3. Participate in United’s Contextual Ministry Program. Contextual Ministry consists of: • Attendance at one Contextual Ministry retreat in early October • Completion of two Contextual Ministry courses over one year • Completion of one unit of field education in a church or community site in your area.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
AT A GLANCE
- $790/Credit Hour
- Average Annual Tuition & Fees*: $15,205
- Average United Aid: $4,123
- Average External Aid: $2,515
Average Annual Cost After Aid: $8,567
*Based on 18 credit hours per year.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS
United provides multiple scholarship opportunities to defray out-of-pocket costs for students. Learn more about tuition, fees, and scholarships here or contact Student Aid at studentaid@united.edu.
1. Scholarship Application
Contact studentaid@united.edu to learn about available scholarships. Continuing students will be notified each year when the scholarship application for the upcoming academic year is available.
2. Decisions
• Award decisions will be made by the Student Aid Committee.
• Communication regarding scholarship awards will be sent via United email.
3. Scholarship Acceptance Requirements
If a scholarship award is received, recipients must do the following to accept and maintain the award:
• Demonstrate appreciation by writing a letter of gratitude to the scholarship benefactor by the date specified on the award letter.
An MMin degree might be for you if you are interested in…
Extension church ministries
Specialized lay ministries
Degree path for DMin
OUR FACULTY
United strives to cultivate an environment where its students may learn and grow. That’s why our outstanding faculty are faithful Christians who are committed to the academic and spiritual growth of every student. Most are ordained, and many have served as pastors, bringing real-world experience into the classroom.
