Graduate Admissions
Advance in your education and develop your calling.
Lead and Serve in Today’s Landscape
At North Central University, our mission is to prepare students to fulfill biblical models of leadership and ministry throughout the world. We are committed to educating servant leaders who graduate ready to shine God’s light in their ministry or marketplace — wherever their God-given talents and passions guide them to pursue excellence and model Christ’s love.
We offer two online master’s degree programs to help you develop your ministry: the M.A. in Biblical Theology with five specialization tracks and the M.A. in Strategic Leadership with six specialization tracks.
Why Apply to North Central University Graduate School?
From application to graduation, NCU provides outstanding student support to help you gain knowledge and experience as you further your calling and career. We’ll help you navigate the application process, talk through your goals and plans, and outline services and resources to help you develop personally, spiritually, and professionally. We look forward to your application!
Graduate Admissions Quick Facts
Study 100% Online
Complete your master’s degree and connect with your cohort online with flexibility to balance career, education, and community commitments.
Choose Your Specialization
Choose from two master’s degree programs and choose a specialization that fits your goals and experience.
Explore Graduate Discounts
Discounts are available for Assemblies of God and Pentecostal ministers and employees, full-time NCU employees, and NCU alumni.*
Graduate Application Steps
Once you have completed the application process and we’ve received all of your application materials, we’ll review your application and inform you of an admissions decision as soon as we can. Additional academic writing samples may be requested upon the discretion of the Graduate Admissions Committee.
International applications may require additional processing steps. Contact the international admissions counselor at 612-343-4471 or graduatestudies@northcentral.edu.
Mail application materials:
North Central University
Admissions Office
910 Elliot Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Email application materials:
admissions@northcentral.edu
Step 1: Complete the Online Application
Get started with an online application. You will need to create an account to follow up on your application status. If you haven’t already communicated with an admissions counselor, a member of our team will contact you soon.
Step 2: Send Your Undergraduate Transcripts
Submit your transcripts from all previous undergraduate or graduate institutions you’ve attended. Request to have your official transcripts sent from your previous institution directly to the Admissions Office at North Central University via mail, fax, or clearing house. You can also submit unofficial or official transcripts via email to admissions@northcentral.edu.
To enroll in the College of Graduate and Professional Education, you need to have a bachelor’s degree earned from a regionally, nationally, professionally, or specialized accredited institution as listed in the Higher Education Directory, with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
If your cumulative GPA is less than 3.0, please send an Academic Essay (the Graduate Studies office will provide you with the prompt and guidelines), GRE scores, or GMAT scores at or above the 50th percentile as an indicator of academic readiness.
Step 3: Submit Your Graduate Application Materials
- Please request a reference written by an employer or professor addressing potential for success in the graduate program. Your reference request will be sent automatically when you list their contact information in the online application.
- Please submit your resume or CV.
Step 4: Apply for FAFSA
Go to fafsa.ed.gov to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFA) as soon as you complete your application. This will help NCU assess your financial needs and build an appropriate plan for you.
We strive for being one of the most affordable Christian colleges, and we understand that no one wants to shoulder the financial burden of furthering their education alone. We offer a no-interest monthly payment plan (the Ram Plan) that breaks up the cost of obtaining your degree into smaller, more manageable pieces.
Learn more about the Ram Plan by logging into Skyline > Colleague > Student Finance > Make a payment, or by viewing the “General Information” tab.
Discounts are available for Assemblies of God and Pentecostal Family Credentialed Ministers, full-time Assemblies of God church employees, full-time NCU employees, and NCU alumni. Many employers also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing graduate degrees.
Important Graduate Admissions Dates
The application deadlines are as follows:
- Fall Session: August 15
- Spring Session: January 2
- Summer Session: April 24
We encourage you to apply prior to these deadlines, though the graduate admissions committee will continue to consider applications after the deadline has passed (subject to course availability).
FAQs
What if I missed the admissions deadline?
We encourage you to apply prior to the graduate session deadlines, though the graduate admissions committee will continue to consider applications after the deadline has passed (subject to course availability).
If you have any questions about your application, please call Admissions at 800-289-6222 or email admissions@northcentral.edu.
Which degree specializations can I choose from?
Each of the master’s programs at NCU offer unique specialization tracks. Focus your education with these options:
| Master of Arts in Biblical Theology | Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership |
|---|---|
| • Biblical Languages • Old Testament • New Testament • Worship Studies • Historical/Systematic Theology | • Business Administration • Organizational Development • Church Leadership • Worship Arts Leadership • Lay Counseling • Spiritual Formation |
How much does it cost to attend NCU?
Tuition rates and fees are updated annually. See the current tuition and fees. North Central is one of the most affordable, accredited Christian colleges in the United States. Your costs will depend on whether you are pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or online degree program, as well as optional fees you select, such as parking and athletics.
Can I start taking graduate-level courses as an undergraduate student at NCU?
Yes! We offer a program called 4+1 that gives eligible bachelor’s degree students the opportunity to get started on relevant 500-level courses in the Master in Strategic Leadership graduate program. If accepted to the 4+1 program, you can take two, possibly three, 500-level courses, depending on your schedule.
To be eligible, you need to have:
- Completed 90 credit hours at the start time of your first graduate course
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher
- An interview and approval by the program director
To request an interview with the graduate studies director, contact the Graduate Studies office at 612-343-4184 or graduatestudies@northcentral.edu.
*Course offerings and requirements are subject to change. Please refer to the current academic catalog when applying to any future programs of study.
Contact Us
We’re here to help! Contact us at 612-343-5030 or onestop@northcentral.edu.