Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation
Develop your calling as a leader and lay practitioner in pastoral care.
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Complete the form, and a member of our admissions team will contact you to tell you more about your program of interest.
Earn Your Spiritual Formation Master’s Online
The Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation online program at North Central University prepares students to lead individuals and their communities in holistic spiritual well-being. Learning alongside experienced Christian scholars and practitioners, students will graduate with the practical skills and theoretical foundations needed to improve lives through lay counseling, spiritual direction and coaching, and crisis interventions, as well as other forms of pastoral services and care.
Online programs at NCU reflect our commitment to a multicultural and caring Christ-centered community even away from campus. Connect with peers and participate in virtual live chapel. Online students can expect meaningful communications with faculty, collaborative classes, and rigorous coursework, as well as online tutoring and academic success coaching.
- Online: Complete this 30-credit graduate program online as part of our Christian community.
- Affordable Tuition: Explore discounts available specifically for graduate students employed in Assemblies of God ministry.
- Christ-Centered Curriculum: Define and refine your faith at NCU, where classes and student life are rooted in Scripture and nurtured in community.
Why Study Spiritual Formation at NCU?
At NCU, spiritual formation is integrated in every academic discipline and area of student life. Students who enroll in an M.A. in Spiritual Formation at NCU will receive focused education in the building blocks of a whole-person, Christ-centered approach to spiritual well-being and leadership.
Courses in nonclinical counseling theories and practices set the foundation for a vocation in lay counseling for community members of various backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, while leadership training provides a strong interpersonal framework. You’ll graduate ready to guide and support parishioners, clients, and young adults through life’s spiritual challenges and triumphs.
View the Academic Catalog for a full list of admission requirements and course listings.
Program Highlights
Learn From Spiritual Formation Mentors
Practice Christ-Centered, Research-Aligned Leadership
Grow Your Ministry Through Experiential Learning
Learn From Spiritual Formation Mentors
Program faculty are rigorous scholars and leaders in their faith communities, eager to mentor students through research and real-life application.
Practice Christ-Centered, Research-Aligned Leadership
Courses and capstone projects build on timely research in group and interpersonal leadership to ensure students provide effective and compassionate spiritual formation in their Christian community.
Grow Your Ministry Through Experiential Learning
Spiritual formation is dynamic and relational, and students can start ministering before graduation and complete a capstone project based on extensive research.
Learn From Industry Experts
Seasoned, credentialed faculty share their expansive social work experience and a commitment to support students as you pursue your calling in social services and related fields.
Explore Related Programs
Not sure how your calling translates into a degree? These programs may interest you:
Master of Arts in Biblical Theology
Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership
FAQs
Can I enroll in the Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation if I’m not a member of Assemblies of God?
Yes! We welcome students of any denomination (and nondenominational students) to apply for the master’s in spiritual formation. NCU is affiliated with Assemblies of God and teaches from that perspective. This will be especially central to your program if you pursue a track in church leadership, lay counseling, spiritual formation, or worship leadership. Engaging in dialogue across denominations and faith backgrounds can help us grow in our understanding and deepen our scholarship.
Can I participate in campus life during the online spiritual formation program?
While graduate students do not have classes or housing on campus, we welcome all NCU students and alumni to visit campus, join us for chapel, attend graduate student events, and meet with faculty and staff in person. Prior to your visit, please call the Security office at 612-343-4445 to confirm parking availability and location.
Are there any financial aid options for NCU grad students?
Yes, NCU offers two discounts for eligible students to reduce tuition costs by 25%. As you prepare for your graduate education, be sure to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for 2026-2027 tuition discounts to help manage your costs.
NCU Graduate Discounts:
North Central University Alumni/Alumnae Discount
Graduates of North Central University may be eligible for a 25% tuition discount on all graduate courses. Applicants must identify as a qualifying alum with an undergraduate degree from NCU on application for admission. Determinations of alumni status will be made by the university’s alumni office.
Assemblies of God and Pentecostal Family of Churches Discount
Credentialed ministers of the Assemblies of God and the Pentecostal family of churches can receive a 25% tuition discount on graduate programs.
Full-Time Employees of Assemblies of God Churches Discount
Full-time employees of Assemblies of God churches and Pentecostal family of churches are eligible for a 25% tuition discount on all graduate courses.
Do I have to attend regular class periods?
No, this graduate program at NCU is online and asynchronous. Weekly deadlines are included, and you can take this degree from anywhere in the world, as long as internet access is available.
Can I apply for FAFSA to help me pay for graduate school?
Yes, you can use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to access funding to pay for any NCU graduate program.
Learn more about financial aid at NCU.
Do I have to order textbooks through NCU, or can I purchase them from outside the university?
You may purchase textbooks from a different seller. But if you purchase through an outside source, please double- and triple-check the editions of each publication. This will ensure that you have the most up-to-date information and you are on the same page (literally) as your instructor and classmates.
What happens if I need to take a break?
Life happens, and we understand! You can take a hiatus for a semester or two if needed.
If you need to pause your education, please contact Meg Breithaupt, Program Manager/Academic Coach, College of Graduate and Professional Education, at mlbreith@northcentral.edu.
I’m an NCU Alum and an Assemblies of God credentialed pastor. Can I stack the two 25% discounts for a total of 50% off?
We understand the desire, but no. You are not able to stack those two graduate tuition discounts.
Do you sponsor visas for international grad students to live on campus?
No, we do not sponsor visas for international graduate students. Our graduate programs are online, and you can complete this program from anywhere in the world.
Does NCU offer any scholarships to graduate students?
NCU does not award any graduate student scholarships, but we do offer tuition discounts for eligible applicants. However, please reach out to your church, employer, or local business. Some NCU students have received external scholarships, and you never know who may offer funding until you ask.