Arts & Humanities

Master of Arts in Leadership and Applied Ministries

The Master of Arts in Leadership and Applied Ministries provides advanced training in Christian leadership, ministry practice, biblical leadership, and applied theology. Students learn leadership theory from a biblical perspective, ministry management, pastoral leadership, church administration, and applied ministry skills. The programme is designed for current and aspiring church leaders, pastors, and ministry professionals seeking advanced leadership and ministry qualifications.

Students develop advanced competencies in Christian leadership, ministry management, pastoral care, biblical leadership, church administration, and applied ministry. The curriculum covers biblical leadership foundations, ministry leadership, pastoral care and counselling, church administration, applied ministry, research methods, and a research project. Practical skills are developed through ministry practicum and case studies.

Christian leadership and ministry expertise is important for Kenya's church sector, which plays a significant role in society. Churches, Christian organisations, para-church ministries, and faith-based NGOs require trained leaders with advanced ministry and leadership qualifications. Kenya's vibrant church sector creates demand for trained ministry leaders. The programme addresses the demand for advanced leadership and applied ministries training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with ministry practicum, case studies, and research. Students study biblical leadership, practise ministry skills, analyse church administration, and conduct research. Teaching methods include lectures, ministry practicum, case studies, and research supervision. The programme emphasises practical ministry skills and leadership competence.

Graduates find employment as senior pastors, church leaders, ministry directors, Christian organisation leaders, or theological educators in churches, Christian organisations, para-church ministries, and faith-based NGOs. The master's degree supports careers in church leadership, ministry management, and theological education.

This programme is ideal for current and aspiring church leaders, pastors, and ministry professionals seeking advanced leadership and applied ministries qualifications. The programme provides advanced skills for church leadership and ministry management roles.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Modular
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Master

What you study

10 subjects

Biblical Leadership Foundations
Ministry Leadership and Management
Pastoral Care and Counselling
Church Administration
Applied Ministry
Christian Ethics and Leadership
Research Methods
Preaching and Teaching Ministry
Church Growth and Development
Research Project

Modules

8 in the programme

Biblical Leadership Foundations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Biblical leadership foundations covering biblical leadership models, Old and New Testament leadership, servant leadership, and biblical principles for Christian leadership.
Ministry Leadership and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Ministry leadership covering leadership theory, ministry management, strategic planning for ministries, team leadership, and managing church and ministry organisations.
Pastoral Care and Counselling
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Pastoral care covering pastoral care principles, pastoral counselling, crisis care, bereavement support, and pastoral care in church and community contexts.
Research Methods for Ministry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, ministry research, and research ethics for theological research.
Church Administration and Governance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Church administration covering church governance, financial management, church operations, legal and regulatory compliance, and managing church resources.
Christian Ethics and Leadership
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Christian ethics covering ethical leadership, Christian ethical frameworks, moral decision-making in ministry, and integrity in Christian leadership.
Applied Ministry and Church Growth
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Applied ministry covering preaching and teaching ministry, discipleship, evangelism, church growth strategies, and community engagement.
Ministry Practicum and Research Project
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
Supervised ministry practicum providing hands-on church leadership experience, and a research project on a ministry topic demonstrating research competence.

Specialisations

Pastoral Leadership
Focus on pastoral care, preaching, teaching, and leading church congregations with biblical leadership principles.
Church Administration
Focus on church governance, financial management, operations, legal compliance, and managing church resources.
Ministry and Community Engagement
Focus on community ministry, evangelism, discipleship, church growth, and engaging church with community development.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on biblical leadership or ministry with afternoon ministry practicum and case study discussions. Students study biblical leadership principles, practise pastoral skills, analyse church administration, and conduct research. Ministry practicum provides hands-on church leadership experience. The programme emphasises practical ministry skills, ethical leadership, and biblical grounding for church and community impact.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines biblical leadership with practical ministry skills, providing comprehensive training for church leadership.
KAG East University offers affordable fees with flexible payment plans.
Includes ministry practicum providing hands-on church leadership experience.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility.
Specific fee data is not publicly available; estimate based on comparable programmes.
Career opportunities are primarily within church and Christian organisation contexts.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public171k to 221k

171k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private120k to 191k

120k at KAG East University191k at Africa International University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

AIU 95.5K/sem=191K/yr. KAG East ~120K/yr. UoN 220.5K/yr. Maseno unverified

HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. KAG East University offers affordable fees with flexible payment plans. Churches and denominations may sponsor students for ministry training.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

Alternative entry: Bachelor's degree (minimum Second Class Lower Division) in Theology, Ministry, Biblical Studies, or related field from a CUE-recognised institution. Relevant ministry experience may be considered.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Assignments
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, assignments, and presentations evaluating understanding of leadership and ministry concepts.
Ministry Practicum
Practical30% of the mark
Supervised ministry practicum evaluating practical ministry skills, leadership competence, and pastoral care abilities.
Research Project
Project30% of the mark
A research project demonstrating research competence in leadership and applied ministries.

Accreditation

KAG East University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MA programme is accredited by CUE.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
KAG East University is chartered by CUE. MA programme accredited by CUE.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Senior Pastor / Church Leader
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 200,000
Leads a church as senior pastor, providing spiritual leadership, preaching, pastoral care, and managing church operations and ministries.
Ministry Director
Low demand
Directs a ministry department or programme in a church or Christian organisation, managing ministry operations and leading ministry teams.
Christian Organisation Leader
Low demand
Leads a Christian NGO, para-church ministry, or faith-based organisation, providing leadership and managing operations.
Theological Educator
Low demand
Teaches theology or ministry in Bible colleges, seminaries, or theological institutions, training future church leaders.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as senior pastors, church leaders, and ministry directors in churches and Christian organisations, with opportunities for theological education and faith-based NGO leadership.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Ministry leadership doesn't need formal training.
Effective ministry leadership requires training in biblical leadership, pastoral care, church administration, ethics, and management, not just spiritual gifting.
Applied ministries is just about preaching.
Applied ministries covers leadership, pastoral care, counselling, administration, teaching, community engagement, and organisational management.
A master's in ministry is only for senior pastors.
The programme is valuable for all church leaders, ministry directors, Christian NGO leaders, and theological educators.
Theological education is not relevant to society.
Church leaders play significant roles in community development, social justice, education, and governance, making theological leadership training relevant to society.