Certificate of Graduate Studies in Church Leadership

Location: Online

Total Credit Hours: 12

Next Session Start: October 26, 2026

Approved Degree Plan: Download PDF

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.

Career Opportunities

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.

Featured Courses

Table listing featured courses with course code, name, and credit hours.
Code	Name	Credits
Code: PMIN 601	Models of Biblical Discipleship	Credits: 3	Biblical principles for building reproducing disciples based upon the Great Commission, including discipleship strategies for a range of settings.
Code: PMIN 602	Pastoral Care, Counseling & Conflict	Credits: 3	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.
Code: PMIN 603	Christian Leadership Development	Credits: 3	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.
Code: SFRM 501	Spiritual Formation Foundations	Credits: 3	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.

Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.

Other Concentrations

Admissions Requirements

2026-27 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.

Session	Semester Check-In	Session Start Date
Session A	Friday, August 14	Monday, August 24
Session M	Friday, September 11	Monday, September 21
Session B	Friday, October 16	Monday, October 26
Session C	Wednesday, January 6	Monday, January 11
Session T	Friday, January 29	Monday, February 8
Session D	Friday, March 5	Monday, March 15
Session E	Friday, April 30	Monday, May 10
Session F	Friday, June 11	Monday, June 21

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 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.

Tuition & Fees

2026-27 Tuition Rates

Certificate of Graduate Studies	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Total Credits	Tuition Cost for Certificate
Biblical Languages	$592	12	$7,104
Biblical Studies	$592	12	$7,104
Christian Theology	$592	12	$7,104
Church History	$592	12	$7,104
Church Leadership	$592	12	$7,104
Online Ministry	$592	12	$7,104
Spiritual Formation	$592	12	$7,104
Worship & Theology	$592	12	$7,104

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Related Programs

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“I look back at my time at Regent as one of the best, God-led decisions in my life. In all the fun, networking, late-night studying, classes and meaningful conversations with fellow students and professors, God did a deeper work within me that I am forever grateful for. Regent University for me was more than a place of knowledge—it is a place where God speaks, forms, and prepares us for the High Calling he has on our lives for His glory! It was a place I was given tools for life and ministry. I am forever grateful for my time Regent and what Regent has meant for me and what it has been and will be for me and thousands of past and future students!”

Carl Ness, Master of Arts in Practical Theology, 2017

“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

“In preparing to fully embrace God’s call on my life, I was attracted to Regent’s commitment to Christian Leadership to Change the World. I needed a world-class institution to help me develop the confidence to do it. My professors gave me the holistic spiritual formation I needed and refined my worldview. At Regent, I obtained the academic and theological foundation necessary to build the global ministries, businesses, and brands I oversee. I am proud and honored to be among the Regent alumni who are changing the world.”

Pastor James E. Ward Jr., Master of Divinity, Graduated Fall 2013

“Regent was the final yes to answering my call to ministry. My Regent M.Div. degree was exactly what I needed to equip people in ministry.”

Nina Anderson, M.Div., 2014 Pastor, The Well; Kingdom Strategist, Nina Anderson Ministries; Motivational Speaker; Family & Service Pastor, New Life Church

“Regent has maintained a high standard of scholarship and the practical aspects of leadership, and they have outstanding professors. I was blessed when I was there.”

Daniel Backens, M.A. in Practical Theology, 1999 Senior Pastor, New Life Church