Graduate Degree Program

Master of Arts in Ministry

Advanced biblical, theological, and ministry education designed for students who want to deepen their understanding of Scripture, strengthen their leadership, engage thoughtfully with culture, and serve the Church with wisdom and maturity.

Advanced Ministry Formation

Go Deeper in Theology, Scripture, and Ministry

The Master of Arts in Ministry from Online Bible Institute is a graduate-level program designed to integrate serious biblical and theological study with practical ministry preparation.

Students engage more deeply with Scripture, theology, church history, biblical interpretation, contemporary theological questions, and the challenges facing Christian leaders in today’s world. This advanced study helps students articulate their faith with greater clarity and engage complex ministry questions with wisdom and biblical conviction.

The program also maintains a strong practical ministry emphasis. Students are encouraged to connect theological learning with pastoral care, leadership, teaching, discipleship, administration, cultural engagement, and the everyday realities of serving people.

Graduate ministry education should shape both the mind and the person. As students grow academically, they are also encouraged toward deeper prayer, reflection, discernment, humility, Christlike character, and faithful dependence upon God.

Graduate-Level Formation

Preparing Thoughtful and Faithful Ministry Leaders

The Master of Arts in Ministry brings together theological depth, biblical interpretation, practical leadership, spiritual formation, and thoughtful engagement with the world in which we serve.

Theological Depth

Engage Scripture, theology, church history, and important questions facing the Church with greater academic and theological depth.

Spiritual Formation

Allow advanced theological study to deepen prayer, discernment, character, wisdom, and your continuing relationship with Christ.

Advanced Ministry Leadership

Strengthen your ability to teach, lead, disciple, counsel, encourage, and serve people in increasingly complex ministry environments.

Cultural Engagement

Develop the theological perspective and discernment needed to engage contemporary cultural questions faithfully and thoughtfully.

Degree Requirements

What You Need to Complete

Academic Prerequisite

Bachelor’s Degree

Required Preparation

Certificate of Completion for The Art of Biblical Words

Graduate Coursework

Successfully complete twelve (12) courses from the Master of Arts in Ministry course track.

Capstone Requirement

Complete the required Capstone Proposal paper.

Graduate Capstone

Bring Your Learning Together

In addition to graduate coursework, students complete a Capstone Proposal paper. The capstone provides an opportunity to integrate biblical study, theological reflection, ministry experience, and practical application around an area of ministry interest.

View Capstone Requirements →
Graduate Coursework

Choose Twelve Courses from the Graduate Track

The Master of Arts in Ministry currently includes graduate courses from BibleProject Classroom and AWKNG School of Theology. Students successfully complete twelve courses as part of the degree requirements.

Course Provider

BibleProject Classroom

These graduate-level BibleProject Classroom courses provide deep engagement with Scripture, biblical theology, literary structure, historical context, and the unified story of the Bible.

100 Words

Activity Feed Requirement

After completing each lesson or session, post a thoughtful reflection of at least 100 words in the Site-Wide Activity Feed. Begin your post with the course name and lesson or session number. You must also respond thoughtfully to two recent course reflections from fellow students.

Course Provider

AWKNG School of Theology

AWKNG School of Theology courses expand the graduate curriculum with additional biblical and theological perspectives while maintaining OBI’s commitment to thoughtful, accessible ministry education.

250 Words

Activity Feed Requirement

After completing each lesson or session, post a thoughtful reflection of at least 250 words in the Site-Wide Activity Feed. Begin your post with the course name and lesson or session number. You must also respond thoughtfully to two recent course reflections from fellow students.

Graduate Learning Happens in Community

All graduate students participate in the Site-Wide Activity Feed. Your reflections help you process what you are learning while allowing other students to benefit from your insights, questions, and ministry experience.

Visit the Activity Feed →
Curriculum Update

Transition from Biblical Training Institute Materials

Over the years, we greatly appreciated our relationship with Biblical Training Institute (BTI). Their teaching materials were a valuable part of our program, and we continue to hold their biblical instruction in high regard.

In September 2024, BTI launched its own certificate program using a fee-based model. This created some confusion among OBI students, with some believing they needed to purchase BTI materials or enroll in paid BTI certificate programs to continue their studies.

To preserve the clarity and accessibility of the OBI learning environment, we paused the use of BTI courses in our curriculum. This change does not reflect negatively on the quality of BTI’s materials, and we remain grateful for our past relationship with them.

We have since added courses from AWKNG School of Theology to the graduate curriculum while continuing our commitment to providing high-quality, biblically grounded education that remains freely accessible to OBI students.

Questions About Your Degree Pathway? Contact Student Services →
Continue Your Education

Continue into the Master of Divinity in Ministry

Students who complete the Master of Arts in Ministry and desire additional graduate-level biblical, theological, and ministry formation may continue into the Master of Divinity in Ministry pathway.

Explore the Master of Divinity →