Online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Christian Ministry for Cleveland, OH
If you live in the Cleveland area and feel called to serve others in ministry, you may be looking for a way to grow in your faith without putting the rest of your life on hold. MVNU’s Online BA in Christian Ministry is designed for busy adults who want to deepen their understanding of Scripture and develop practical ministry skills in a flexible, fully online format.
The program is fully online, built around six-week courses, and designed to fit into the lives of busy adults in the Greater Cleveland area. Whether you are serving in a church, leading a small group, volunteering in outreach, or preparing for a greater role in ministry, this degree allows you to continue investing in your community while advancing your education.
With the flexibility to study from anywhere and at times that work best for your schedule, you can stay consistent without stepping away from your current responsibilities. As you progress through the program, you can continue growing both academically and spiritually while applying what you learn in real time.
Students looking for an online Christian Ministry degree Cleveland residents can pursue while continuing to work and serve will find that MVNU offers both flexibility and meaningful ministry preparation.
About MVNU’s Online BA in Christian Ministry
The online BA in Christian Ministry at MVNU is structured to support both spiritual development and practical ministry skills. The program brings together key areas such as biblical studies, theology, leadership, and ministry practice.
Throughout the program, you will explore topics like biblical interpretation, pastoral care, discipleship, and ministry leadership, helping you build both a strong theological foundation and practical skills you can apply in real-life settings.
Rather than focusing solely on academic content, the program encourages you to think about how your learning connects to real-life situations. This approach helps build confidence and prepares you to serve effectively in a variety of ministry and community settings.
To review the full program structure, modules, and entry requirements, explore the Online BA in Christian Ministry program.
Christian Ministry Degree Highlights
MVNU’s Christian Ministry core curriculum is 37 credit hours with a projected degree completion time of 23 months when you transfer in previous credits. Tuition is $398 per credit hour and all students qualify for an automatic ministry scholarship applied toward your core courses.
Highlights include:
- Fully online format
- Flexible six-week courses
- 37 credit hours in the ministry core
- 23-month completion estimate
- Tuition $398 per credit hour
- Transfer credit and prior learning options may help some students finish sooner
At MVNU students may be able to apply previously earned undergraduate credits or prior learning credits toward general education or elective requirements. In some cases, students may be able to complete the degree in as few as 21 months.
Tuition & Cost
$398 per credit hour**
Program Length
23 months*
Total Credit Hours
37***
*Ministry core only, does not include ordination concentration or total credit hour graduation requirements.
**MVNU’s Ministry Scholarship, at a rate of $400 per class, is automatically applied toward the tuition costs for the online BA in Christian Ministry major core and the ordination concentration. The scholarship amounts to $4,800 for the core courses and $2,800 for all concentration courses. The scholarship does not go toward credit for general education courses. A separate discount is available for MVNU Online Connect students, for whom this scholarship does not apply.
***30 credit hours of the program must be completed through MVNU. Other restrictions apply. Please contact our Enrollment Team for additional information.
What Will You Study in the Curriculum?
The MVNU curriculum is designed to help you grow in biblical interpretation, theology, pastoral care, leadership, evangelism, and communication. Students in the program develop a biblical, theological, and historical foundation for ministry while strengthening leadership, communication, counseling, education, and pastoral care skills.
Courses include:
- Biblical Interpretation
Learn how to study and interpret Scripture with clarity and context, building a strong foundation for teaching and ministry. - Mission & Evangelism
Explore how to share your faith effectively and engage with communities through outreach and global mission work. - Pastoral Theology & Practice
Develop practical skills for leading and caring for others in a ministry setting, including counseling and spiritual guidance. - Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
Focus on personal spiritual growth while learning how to guide others in their faith journey. - Educational and Family Ministries
Understand how to support families, children, and educational programs within the church and community. - Preaching and Worship
Build confidence in communicating biblical messages and leading meaningful worship experiences. - Christian Theology I and II
Study core theological principles that shape Christian belief and doctrine. - Missional Church Leadership
Learn how to lead ministries with a focus on outreach, growth, and community impact.
Curriculum stats/highlights
Courses
| Core Courses | Credit Hours |
| Student Success Strategies | 1 |
| Biblical Interpretation | 3 |
| Spiritual Formation and Discipleship | 3 |
| Educational and Family Ministries | 3 |
| Pentateuch | 3 |
| Life and Letters of Paul | 3 |
| Mission and Evangelism | 3 |
| Christian Heritage II | 3 |
| Preaching and Worship | 3 |
| Christian Theology I | 3 |
| Christian Theology II | 3 |
| Pastoral Theology and Practice | 3 |
| Missional Church Leadership | 3 |
| Total BA in Christian Ministry Core Hours | 37 |
| Ordination Concentration Curriculum | Credit Hours |
| Theology and Language of the Bible | 3 |
| History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene | 2 |
| Ministry in Diverse Contexts | 2 |
| Christian Heritage I | 3 |
| Doctrine of Christian Holiness | 2 |
| Ministry Internship I | 1 |
| Ministry Internship II | 1 |
| Total Ordination Concentration Hours | 14 |
What Ministry Careers Can This Degree Support in Cleveland?
This program can help you prepare for a range of ministry and service-oriented roles, both within the church and in the broader community.
For those pursuing church-based leadership, roles may include lead pastor, associate pastor, youth pastor, children’s pastor, or church planter.
The degree can also support non-pastoral paths such as discipleship leadership, outreach coordination, church administration, family ministry, hospital chaplaincy, and work with faith-based nonprofits or community organizations. These roles allow you to serve others in meaningful ways while applying biblical knowledge, leadership skills, and practical ministry training in a variety of settings.
In fact, that localized aspect of your education can be especially valuable. Cleveland has a wide range of churches and ministries serving the community, creating meaningful opportunities to stay engaged while you study. As you progress through the program, you can apply what you are learning in real time within your own ministry or community, making your education more immediately relevant and practical.
Is MVNU a Good Fit for Working Adults Near Cleveland?
MVNU has been developed with adult learners as its primary focus. Whether you have returned to college after time away, are juggling a career while still serving in ministry, or are looking to advance within your church and need new training to support that advancement, MVNU’s format fits the many different realities of adult learners. The six-week courses create momentum, while the online minister degree format provides flexibility so you can continue to meet your obligations where you are most needed.
As a working professional in Cleveland, you may be looking for a local Ohio university that understands ministry, adult education, and online learning. MVNU combines these elements through its online bachelors degree in Christian Ministry program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn this degree while working full-time in Cleveland?
Yes. MVNU’s online format is specifically designed for adults with current responsibilities. Cleveland-area students can take online classes while continuing to work, serve in their local church or community.
How long does the program take?
MVNU lists the Christian Ministry core as 23 months. Total time to graduation can vary based on transfer credits, prior learning credit, and remaining general education requirements.
How many credit hours are in the program?
MVNU lists the Christian Ministry core at 37 credit hours. Students must complete a minimum of 120 total credit hours to earn the bachelor’s degree.
How much will it all cost?
Tuition
Online BA (37 credit hours): $8,995
Ordination concentration (14 credit hours): $2,307
Financial Aid
Apply for scholarships, loans, grants, and tuition reimbursement.
Get the Facts
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook shows that demand for clergy professions is expected to increase 6% from 2018 through 2028.
+6%
Job Growth in ministry careers
What Our Students Are Saying
"The most rewarding part of the program has been studying God's word more deeply and gaining insight and understanding into things that I thought I knew plus learning new things that I had never been exposed to before."
JODI HOSTERMAN '27
Christian Ministry
“MVNU has taught me so many skills both in and outside the classroom that I will carry with me into the future as this chapter ends. My MVNU education has given me the knowledge and confidence needed to be a strong and Godly businesswoman.”
HANNAH HINERMAN '19
Master of Business Administration
Take the Next Step
Are you ready to deepen your understanding of the Scripture, strengthen your ministry skills, and prepare yourself for long-term service? MVNU’s Online Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry offers a flexible next step.
You can study from Cleveland, continue serving where you are, and work toward a degree designed to support both spiritual growth and practical ministry preparation
Steps for Applying to MVNU Online
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