Lay Ministry

A program that prepares non-ordained individuals to serve as lay pastors, religious educators, youth leaders, and other professional positions open to the laity in local churches and other settings. Includes instruction in bible studies, theology, spirituality, pastoral counseling, foundations of ministry, effective communication, and church leadership.

Degree Statistics

This program is offered at 53 institutions across the United States, with a total of 2054 degrees awarded annually.

Certificates Below Bachelor's

57

certificates awarded

Associate Degrees

58

degrees awarded

Bachelor's Degrees

217

degrees awarded

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

84

certificates awarded

Master's Degrees

260

degrees awarded

Doctoral Degrees

4

degrees awarded

Other Awards

1,374

awards given

Top Schools for Lay Ministry

These institutions offer the most degrees in this program, ranked by total annual completions.

Rank Institution Degrees
1 Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
South Hamilton, MA
294
2 Westminster Theological Seminary
Glenside, PA
288
3 Calvin University
Grand Rapids, MI
207
4 Grace Christian University
Wyoming, MI
192
5 Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
132
6 Fordham University
Bronx, NY
75
7 The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA
72
8 Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
66
9 Grace College and Theological Seminary
Winona Lake, IN
51
10 Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO
51
11 Visible Music College
Memphis, TN
39
12 Bethel University
Mishawaka, IN
36
13 Kairos University
Sioux Falls, SD
33
14 Judson University
Elgin, IL
30
15 Bethel University
Saint Paul, MN
30
16 North Central University
Minneapolis, MN
30
17 University of Northwestern-St Paul
Saint Paul, MN
30
18 Northeastern Seminary
Rochester, NY
30
19 University of St Thomas
Saint Paul, MN
27
20 Tabor College
Hillsboro, KS
24
21 Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI
22
22 Athenaeum of Ohio
Cincinnati, OH
21
23 Malone University
Canton, OH
21
24 Corban University
Salem, OR
18
25 NationsUniversity
New Orleans, LA
16
26 Covenant Theological Seminary
Saint Louis, MO
15
27 St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN
15
28 International Baptist College and Seminary
Chandler, AZ
15
29 Saint John's Seminary
Brighton, MA
12
30 Manhattan Christian College
Manhattan, KS
12
31 Merrimack College
North Andover, MA
12
32 Saint Vincent Seminary
Latrobe, PA
12
33 Oakwood University
Huntsville, AL
9
34 Samford University
Birmingham, AL
9
35 Arizona Christian University
Glendale, AZ
9
36 Kuyper College
Grand Rapids, MI
9
37 Gods Bible School and College
Cincinnati, OH
9
38 United Theological Seminary
Dayton, OH
9
39 Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Waxahachie, TX
9
40 Urshan Graduate School of Theology
Wentzville, MO
9
41 Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global
Marion, IN
9
42 Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College
Wendell, NC
6
43 Oak Hills Christian College
Bemidji, MN
6
44 Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH
6
45 Universidad Teologica del Caribe
Trujillo Alto, PR
3
46 Carolina Christian College
Winston Salem, NC
3
47 University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN
3
48 La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA
3
49 Warner Pacific University
Portland, OR
3
50 Howard Payne University
Brownwood, TX
3
51 Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, TN
3
52 Meadville Theological School of Lombard College
Chicago, IL
3
53 University of Dayton
Dayton, OH
3