The Best Online Master’s in Missions & Global Ministry Programs

Earning a master's degree in missions is the first step toward the vocation of world evangelism. A degree in missionary studies can equip you with the biblical and theological knowledge you need to understand your faith, along with the skills to communicate across cultures. With your degree, you can take on roles in local churches, educational settings, or parachurch ministries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that social and community managers will see an 9% increase in jobs between 2022 and 2032. Missions majors can expect many potential openings in organizations committed to serving the kingdom, the church, and the world.

Choosing a Program

Learning how to become a missionary involves more than studying theology and biblical knowledge. It also means understanding cultures, geopolitics, languages, religions, communication tactics, and leadership skills. For many would-be missionaries, it requires building an appropriate academic background to become English teachers, entrepreneurs, or international development workers. Students can concentrate in areas like Muslim studies, teaching English as a Foreign Language, justice and development, global leadership, or linguistics, allowing future missionaries to tailor their academic programs to meet their goals.

Often, master's degree in missions programs include core courses drawn from theology, biblical studies, and anthropology. Some degrees make ministry or divinity the core of the program and missions a concentration. An M.Div. with an emphasis in missions can take 90 credits to complete, while a seminary degree in missions may require 60 credits. A liberal arts college or Bible college often offers a mission degree for just 33 credits. A missions program usually requires an internship and a thesis. The internship takes place in an international or cross-cultural setting, and students in some schools can substitute a practical capstone for the thesis.

The Best Online Master's in Missions & Global Ministry Degree Programs

Get Ranking Seal

Online Master's in Missions & Global Ministry Degree Programs Ranking Guidelines

We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.

Our Methodology

Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.

Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.

While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.

• Academics
• Affordability
• Online Enrollment

Data Sources

The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.

Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.

Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology

About Our Ranking Factors

Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.

Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.

We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.

• Collapse All
• Expand All

Academics - 75%

Affordability - 15%

Online Enrollment - 10%

In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.

If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through contact page.

We thank you for your readership and trust.

What Else Can I Expect From an Online Master's in Missions and Global Ministry Program?

A degree in missionary studies includes courses in theology, biblical studies, anthropology, and ministry practice. Students can choose a degree focused on theology, one that equips them with a skill such as teaching English, or one that concentrates on a specific culture.

Concentrations Offered for an Online Doctoral Degree in Missions and Global Ministry

• Muslim Studies:
  Students of Muslim studies learn to analyze the theologies, traditions, and worldviews of Islam using cultural and theological tools of analysis. Courses include an introduction to the Koran, along with an appropriate internship and thesis. Upon graduation, students can take roles in government, business, or mission organizations dedicated to reaching the Muslim community.
  • Careers this concentration prepares for: Professor, nongovernmental organization leader, human resources officer in a global corporation
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language:
  Learners in this concentration prepare to teach English to children and adults in a variety of academic, cultural, and linguistic contexts. Courses include advanced grammar; introduction to syntax; and teaching reading, writing, and grammar. Learners prepare to enter the growing EFL field at universities and freestanding language programs around the world.
  • Careers this concentration prepares for:
• Global Leadership:
  This concentration prepares local church and parachurch leaders for strategic leadership roles and equips students to nurture others into leadership. Students explore the spiritual disciplines of leadership, global trends in leadership, and how to develop leaders in a multicultural setting.
  • Careers this concentration prepares for: Nongovernmental organization leader, missions pastor, business leader in creative access countries

Sample Courses for an Online Master's Degree in Missions and Global Ministry

Online Master's in Missions and Global Ministry Careers

Earning a master's degree in missions can open up positions in government, missions agencies, schools, churches, and research institutions. Missiologists can even serve as intercultural or multicultural coordinators for multinational corporations. Some majors equip students with entrepreneurial skills to start their own business-as-mission enterprises, or to help established agencies innovate in culturally sensitive ways.

1. Social and Community Service Manager: A degree in missions can equip students for leadership positions in nonprofit agencies or national and international parachurch ministries. These positions typically require skills in multicultural team development, intercultural communication, and large-scale event planning and execution.
   • Median Annual Salary: $74,240
   • Projected Growth Rate: 9%
2. Mission or Outreach Pastor: Large churches often add a mission or outreach pastor as one of the first staff positions after filling age-related ministry roles. Those with a degree in missions may also serve as full-time senior pastors depending upon the ordination requirements set by their church or denomination.
   • Median Annual Salary: $52,000
3. Postsecondary Teacher: A master's degree in missions is required to teach the subject at a Bible college, a liberal arts college, or a seminary. While most schools prefer a doctorate, a master's degree and experience can substitute, and in some institutions, part-time professors can also work in nonclassroom positions, like internship coordinators.
   • Median Annual Salary: $80,840
   • Projected Growth Rate: 8%

Featured Image Credit: Zvonimir Atletic | EyeEm | Getty Images