Our Master of Divinity (M.Div) is a three year, 125 credit program intended for individuals who are pursuing pastoral ordination. The Master of Arts in Christian Leadership (M.A.) is a two year, 36 credit program for those seeking biblical training and spiritual formation to lead and serve faithfully in a wide range of ministry contexts. Both of these masters-level programs integrate quality academics, spiritual formation, and practical leadership training, which is our standard here at The Master’s Institute.

MI was born out of a grassroots movement among the Lutheran theological stream that embraces the empowering work of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of the Church. Accordingly, our curriculum and learning philosophy are distinctly Jesus-centered, biblically grounded, and Spirit-empowered. While grounded in the Lutheran stream, we serve leaders across multiple ministry networks who share a commitment to faithful pastoral formation and Spirit-led ministry, including the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), Alliance of Renewal Churches (ARC), and Harvest Network International (HNI).

While preference is given to those who have completed a bachelor’s degree, The Master’s Institute may consider applicants without a degree, especially those who demonstrate a strong sense of calling to some form of ministry, Christian maturity and leadership, and a readiness and capacity for masters-level academics.

Yes. Both programs are designed to provide a high-quality seminary education while you continue serving where you are called to be. M.Div. students take part in a concentrated Thursday/Friday rhythm with live online classes in the mornings, Scripture Practicum on Thursday afternoons, weekly Spiritual Formation Groups, and three to four in-person gatherings each year in White Bear Lake, MN.

The M.A. program is fully online, with recorded course materials completed on your own time and a weekly meeting with your cohort for spiritual formation group or academic discussions. There are no in-person requirements for M.A. students—we will see you in White Bear Lake for graduation!

Full-time and part-time enrollment differ primarily in academic course load. Full-time M.Div. students complete the program in three years by taking 28 or more academic credits per year, while part-time students take about half of that load (at least 14 academic credits per year) and typically complete the program in four to six years. Regardless of enrollment status, both full-time and part-time students take three years of Scripture Practicum (5 credits per year), Leadership Training (15 hours per week), and Spiritual Formation Group.

M.A. students follow a set schedule with their cohort, rather than choosing a full-time or part-time track.

We equip the heart, head, and hands of Christian leaders, and we take all three seriously. Growing in Christlikeness at MI depends on the formational work of the Holy Spirit in the context of a relational community through weekly spiritual formation groups, one-on-one spiritual mentoring, engagement with classic and modern formation writings, and annual silent retreats.

At MI, healthy development as a ministry leader happens through an internship in a Church or other ministry setting, one-on-one coaching from an experienced and godly leader, and creating and carrying out ministry plans that serve the internship context while developing the student’s leadership skills.

The short answer? No. But let us tell you why.

At MI, we believe it is important that every seminary be held to the highest standards of accountability.

This is why The Master's Institute offers a demanding and innovative educational and formational Master of Divinity program to assure our students and partners of the quality of an MI education. MI offers a non-accredited degree that enables graduates to be ordained, and/or licensed through Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, Harvest Network International, International Ministerial Fellowship, and numerous other Christian networks, denominations, and agencies.

A careful evaluation of MI's programs will attest to these things:

A rigorous academic curriculum that provides students with a thorough grounding in Biblical Studies, Theology, and the History of the Church.
An understanding of the dynamics of practical ministry in the twenty-first century that includes the integration of hands-on and reflective learning in carefully selected internship environments concurrent with work in the classroom.
The Christian health and wholeness of our graduates, having been carefully tended through an ongoing, relational, spiritual and character formation process to leadership development.

MI chooses professors who are:

Currently engaged in fruitful ministry, and are well qualified to inspire, teach, and equip ministry leaders at a seminary level.
Godly, passionate practitioners who are educated, engaged, and culturally informed to speak to the needs of the church and culture in the twenty-first century.
Role models for godly leadership in the content of their character as well as the content of their courses.

The benefits of this approach to theological education are:

Flexibility in structuring an effective approach to transformational learning, allowing us to build the program to meet the needs of the students, the Church, and the communities involved.
Flexibility in making necessary changes quickly, allowing us to adapt to changing cultures and seasons as needed.
Freedom to focus financial and personnel resources on the mission of the school.
A holistic formation opportunity that enables MI to send graduates out to do the ministry God has called them to with little or no financial burden.

We believe that "the proof is in the pudding."

Our graduates' readiness for fruitful and effective ministry is well attested, and we find our credibility in the following:

The close relationships and our responsiveness to the leaders, churches, and church networks we have been called to serve;
Our accountability to our students, Board, and church partners to remain faithful to our God-imparted vision, mission, core values, and philosophy of education and leadership development;
The breadth, depth, experience, and credibility of our faculty;
The quality and proven track records of our graduates who are now in the field doing Kingdom ministry in the power of God's Holy Spirit.

The Master’s Institute admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded and made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational or admissions policies, scholarship or other school-administered programs. The Master’s Institute recognizes, respects, and honors diversity due to an individual’s culture, race, and ethnicity.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS