The Master of Arts in Executive Strategic Leadership program at North Central University is designed to equip leaders with advanced skills in strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and practical ministry application. This 30-credit program, completed over 21 or 24 months, includes ten graduate-level courses, a capstone project, and a certificate from The Preaching Institute. The program is structured in cohorts, with the first beginning with Spring 2026, followed by the second in Fall 2026, and continuing in sequential order. This format fosters strong peer connections and a dynamic learning community that grows together throughout the program.
Students will experience a unique hybrid learning model that combines high-level academics with in-person engagement. Three to four courses will be offered in a hybrid format, featuring 20 hours of on-campus learning each semester, with the remaining coursework completed online. These intensive in-person sessions are hosted at North Central University the first Wednesday through Friday after Fall Break and Spring Break (see schedule below). Students in hybrid courses will be excused from three discussion boards to account for their on-campus participation.
In-Tensive Schedule
Tuesday 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. – Orientation for New Students
Wednesday – Thursday 8:00 – 5:00 p.m. – In-Person Sessions
Friday 8:00 – 12:00 p.m. – In-Person Sessions
This program offers the rare opportunity to engage with North Central University’s top graduate professors and leading executive voices, providing practical insights and mentoring alongside academic excellence. By working closely with a consistent cohort, students benefit from lasting professional and personal relationships, creating a strong network of leaders in ministry and organizational leadership.
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- An overview of the program
- Classes you’ll take
- What makes our program flexible and relevant to you
Why earn a graduate degree at North Central?
North Central University’s College of Graduate and Professional Education offers a master’s-level strategic leadership degree, a program designed to prepare you for meaningful work in the marketplace and leadership in your business, church, or organization. You’ll have the opportunity to grow as a leader and increase your existing knowledge and skills in ways that will apply immediately to your life and career.
A FLEXIBLE FORMAT FOR YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE
The Strategic Leadership Degree is 36 credits and is designed to be finished in 12 courses, allowing you to start and finish quickly and efficiently. All required courses are offered every academic year so you can move through the program on a schedule that works for you.
ACCREDITATION
Our M.A. in Strategic Leadership is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
North Central University is also a participating institution in NC-SARA, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
The College of Graduate and Professional Education is a member of the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS).
What sets us apart
The proof is in the people
Master's in Strategic Leadership degree at NCU gives pastor new approach to ministry
Christopher Vincent ’00, is a lead pastor overseeing a growing church plant, and he has a wife and five children. On December 9, he also completed his Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership at NCU.
Read Christopher's story HideChristopher Vincent ’00 knows what busy is. The lead pastor at The Bridge Church in Nowthen, Minn., oversees a growing church plant, has a wife and five children, and on December 9, completed his Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership at North Central University.
The ceremonial hooding for the master’s degree candidate was a meaningful close to his graduate studies, although it’s the work he did in the program that makes Vincent especially proud. He said the highlight of the MASL program was his senior capstone project, for which he wrote a book on church planting. “As a church growth fanatic not finding much in the context of rural churches,” Vincent noted, “I was able to produce something from my research and experience. Writing a book was challenging and fulfilling.”
Beyond the book or academic papers, Vincent found the MASL program to be practical and readily applicable to his work. “The degree helped me utilize new project approaches, see people through Christ’s eyes, and learn ethics on a whole new level,” Vincent said. His coursework even inspired him to restructure his staff meetings.
Through the program and with the help of his graduate advisor, Vincent has accomplished a lifelong dream. After celebrating his graduation milestone with his biggest cheerleaders—his family—he is eager to continue his leadership journey. “The degree was not a ‘stepping stone,’ per se, but rather a honing of my skills to help me lead where I am planted.”
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Value and Affordability
Value
Our graduate courses provide a value-driven approach to leadership education that will develop the skills necessary to lead organizations effectively while focusing on the personal formation and interpersonal skills of the leader.
Affordability
Our graduate program has the lowest cost (overall per credit) for a program of our type in the Twin Cities.
Remaining one of the most affordable Christian colleges is something we strive for. Plus, 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.
Discounts and scholarships are available for full-time NCU employees, NCU alumni, Assemblies of God and Pentecostal Family Credentialed Ministers, and full-time Assemblies of God church employees.
Many employers also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing graduate degrees.
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Convenience
We understand the value that a graduate degree can have for your career and your life. We also understand how valuable your time and resources are. Our program is tailored to benefit you in a number of ways:
- Evening classes to fit comfortably with your daily schedule
- Fast-track options for obtaining your degree quicker (1, 2, and 3-year options)
- Classes conveniently held on our campus in downtown Minneapolis
- Classes offered in a variety of formats: on-campus, online, and hybrid.
The Master’s in Strategic Leadership is now offered fully online!
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Practical Teaching
Our graduate faculty are experts in their fields and highly-experienced professionals in a variety of areas. They teach practical, applicable skills based on real-world scenarios, preparing you to meet the challenges of leadership head-on.
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4+1 Program
Our undergraduate degrees are designed to feed directly into our M.A. in Strategic Leadership program, so after you earn your B.A. you can earn a master’s degree with one additional year of education.