Concentration
Ministry Leadership
Develop the skills and knowledge needed to lead in faith-based settings, with a focus on spiritual growth, leadership, and community impact.
Is This Program for Me?
Do you feel called to serve in ministry? Do you seek to grow spiritually, lead faithfully, and make a lasting impact in your community?
Samford University's Ministry Leadership Concentration within the Christian and Religious Studies major is designed for students with a heart for God, a passion for serving others, and an intellectual curiosity about their faith. This program prepares students for diverse roles in ministry—offering both deep academic study and real-world training.
Students often complement majors in sociology, psychology, philosophy, history, or communication with this concentration to broaden their understanding of human behavior and enhance their ministry effectiveness.
What You'll Need
- Enrollment in the Christian and Religious Studies major
- A desire to grow spiritually, intellectually, and practically in ministry
- No separate application for the concentration is required
What Makes Us Different?
Hands-On Ministry Experience
- Participate in supervised internships in churches or ministry organizations
- Most students complete a senior-year semester-long internship for job preparation and vocational discernment
- Opportunities to preach regularly in Alabama churches
Faculty Mentorship & Academic Excellence
- Small class sizes and personal relationships with professors who hold both doctoral and seminary degrees
- Faculty actively involved in local churches and ministries
- Blend rigorous religious study with practical ministry training
- Courses span Bible, theology, Christian history, and global religions
Special Programs & Opportunities
- Preministerial Scholars Program: Scholarships, mentoring, and internships for ministry-bound students
- Accelerated BA-to-MDiv program: Complete both degrees in 6 years instead of 7
- Fast-track BA-to-MSW option: Prepare for service in counseling, social work, or community ministries
- Participation in archaeological digs and independent research projects
Shape Your Academic Journey
Customize your degree by combining this concentration with other areas of study within the Howard College of Arts and Sciences. You can also take part in joint or fast-track graduate programs. These combinations deepen your ministry toolkit—enabling you to understand and serve people more effectively.
Accelerated Pathways:
- BA-to-Master of Divinity (MDiv): Earn both degrees in six years
- BA-to-MSW: Transition into social work and faith-based service roles
Additional Academic Pairings:
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Philosophy
- Communication
- History
Prepare to Succeed
Whether you're called to the pulpit, nonprofit leadership, missions, or counseling, Samford’s Ministry Leadership concentration equips you with the theological foundation, spiritual formation, and leadership skills needed to thrive in today’s complex ministry landscape.
Career Opportunities
- Children’s, Youth & College Minister
- Missionary
- Worship Pastor
- Senior Pastor
- Communications Director
- Teacher or Professor
- Social Worker or Therapist
- Service-Learning Facilitator
Church Internships
- Shades Mountain Baptist Church
- Canterbury United Methodist Church
- The Church at Brook Hills
- Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
- Mountain Brook Community Church
Ministry & Nonprofit Internships
- Children’s Hospital
- The WellHouse
- First Priority of Alabama
- Apologetics Resource Center
- Grace House Ministries
- Woman’s Missionary Union
“Once I declared my major, my advisor suggested adding a ministry leadership concentration, which focused primarily on hands-on ministry.
“Each professor, class, and assignment challenged me to examine what it truly means to be a full-time minister. These moments helped me develop a strong approach to student ministry and become a leader worth following.”
—Farrah Petski '17
