In the church today, pastors are navigating burnout and complex pastoral care situations. Ministry leaders want to disciple others more deeply but don’t always have the tools to do so well. And the people serving as coaches, lay counselors, and spiritual directors walking alongside others through life’s biggest challenges are doing intense work, often with little formal preparation.
North Central University is answering that need with something new.
Launching in Fall 2026, the Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation is a 30-credit, fully online graduate degree designed to equip leaders and lay practitioners for the kind of work that changes lives from the inside out.
A program that fills a gap between ministry and counseling
The ideal student, according to the admissions team, is someone who feels called to intentionally walk alongside others in their spiritual or personal growth. That includes not just pastors, church staff, and nonprofit leaders but also coaches, educators, and caregivers who want to integrate faith, formation, and practical people-care skills into their calling.
This program is unique because it occupies a space between ministry and counseling. It isn’t designed to train licensed therapists or provide clinical certification. Instead, it equips students to be present with others, ask thoughtful questions, and help individuals discern God’s work in their lives. The curriculum weaves together spiritual direction and companionship, life coaching practices, and foundational psychological insight — practical tools without a clinical or diagnostic focus.
Formed to form others
The program’s vision goes deeper than skill-building. “More than anything, we want students to walk away with a deeper awareness of God’s presence in their own lives,” said Admissions Director Keeley Ruegsegger, “and the confidence to help others experience that as well.”
Graduates will leave with strong listening and discernment skills, greater self-awareness and emotional intelligence, and the ability to guide others through spiritual and life challenges with wisdom and care. The capstone project is designed around each student’s personal context and interests — whether that’s a discipleship pathway, a coaching framework, or a resource for their church or community — producing something they can take directly into their ministry or professional setting.
Designed for real life
The program launches fully online and asynchronously, allowing students to balance school with work, ministry, and family life. Tuition discounts of 25% are available for credentialed Assemblies of God ministers, full-time AG church employees, and NCU alumni to help make it more accessible.
The admissions team describes their approach as relational and supportive, particularly for students returning to school after time away or pursuing graduate education for the first time.
A ripple effect
“This program isn’t just about earning a degree,” said Bethany Harshbarger, VP of Enrollment. “It’s about forming leaders who can walk with others through real life with depth, wisdom, and spiritual attentiveness. The ripple effect of that is significant.”
