Theology & Leadership
Answer God’s call to vocational ministry with Jessup’s programs and be fully rooted in Scripture and shaped by a passionate heart for the Church. From an associate to a doctorate, on campus or online, you'll be equipped to preach, teach, shepherd and serve wherever the Lord leads.
A CALLING TO SERVE THE CHURCH
A ministry degree in California prepares students for Christian ministry, pastoral care and church leadership at every academic level.
Jessup's Theology and Leadership degree programs run from an associate of arts through the DMin, pairing biblical studies and spiritual formation with mentorship from faculty who serve the church.
FALL PREVIEW DAY
Friday, October 16, 2026 · 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. · Rocklin, CA. Experience Jessup for a day and receive a $500 scholarship when you register and visit.
Why Jessup
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Faith First
Since 1939, faith and learning haven't lived in separate rooms here. They're woven together in the classroom, in chapel, and in the way our faculty teach. You won't have to choose between growing your mind and deepening your faith. Here, they grow together.
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Affordable Excellence
We're the most affordable private Christian university in Northern California, and we don't make you guess what it'll cost. Nearly every student receives aid, and we get you clear numbers early so you can plan with confidence. Exceptional education is within reach.
Safe All Around
Safety here means more than a secure campus in one of California's safest cities. It's a place that's safe spiritually, safe emotionally, and safe to take the risks that help you grow. This is somewhere you can stretch, stumble, and become who God made you to be.
Community
Small classes mean you're known by name, not lost in a lecture hall. Faculty who mentor, friends who show up, a campus where people actually see you. You'll find your people here, and they'll walk with you.
Regional Proximity
More than 60% of our students come from within a hundred miles, so you're close enough to home without being right on top of it. You'll be rooted in a NorCal network of churches, employers, and internship connections across the Sacramento corridor. Familiar ground, with room to grow.
Mentorship
From day one you'll have advisors, internships, and a clear path toward a career that matters. We focus on high-impact fields like health sciences, business, psychology, leadership, and aviation, and every student is grounded in Bible and theology. We don't just hand you a degree. We help you find your calling and walk with you toward it.
On campus or online, the same Jessup
Choose the format that fits your life. Every program is built on the same Christ-centered foundation, whether you study in Rocklin or fully online.
What to Expect
On Campus
Online
MEET YOUR FACULTY
Study theology with faculty who bring scholarly depth in Scripture, academic excellence and years of service to the church.
David Timms
Dean of School of Theology and Leadership, Professor
Derek Zahnd
Associate Dean, Seminary, Associate Professor, School of Theology & Leadership
Matthew Godshall
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs of Bible, Professor, School of Theology & Leadership
Libby Backfish
Program Director, Biblical Studies, Associate Professor, School of Theology & Leadership
FAQs
Answers to what prospective ministry and theology students ask us most.
What theology and ministry degree programs does Jessup offer?
We offer fourteen programs. They span undergraduate degrees to a doctorate: the AA in Ministry and AA in Bible, the Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, the MDiv, the MA in Biblical Studies, the MA in Global Development and Justice, the DMin program and graduate certificates in Ministry and Biblical Studies.
Can I earn a ministry degree online?
Yes. The MDiv, both master of arts degrees, the DMin and the graduate certificates run as online degree options, with online courses in accelerated 7-week terms, live weekly Zoom sessions and the flexibility of completing assignments around work and church schedules. Online education at Jessup opens a path into Christian ministry for working adults.
What does the Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies include?
The Bachelor of Arts pairs a biblical studies core with a Greek or Hebrew sequence and a concentration in Pastoral Ministry, Theology, Global Leadership or a General track. Students gain a deeper understanding of Scripture and grow toward pastoral and teaching ministries, and teaching careers in Christian schools, colleges and universities.
What is the Master of Divinity and who is it for?
The MDiv, the professional degree for pastoral ministry, builds skills in biblical languages, exegesis, preaching, pastoral care and contextualized ministry across 72 units, preparing graduates to communicate God's Word and lead God's people in the church and beyond.
Where does pastoral care fit in the theology curriculum?
Pastoral care runs through the MDiv, the Pastoral Ministry concentrations and the counseling coursework that supports chaplaincy, forming servant leaders who tend to the spiritual development and spiritual growth of the people they serve.
What does the DMin program require?
The DMin program welcomes experienced ministry leaders with a qualifying master's degree, a minimum of three years of ministry experience, active engagement in current ministry leadership and affirmation of the essential doctrines of the Christian faith.
Are the theology programs accredited?
Yes. The BA in Biblical Studies, MDiv, DMin, MA in Biblical Studies, MA in Global Development and Justice and Graduate Certificate in Biblical Studies hold approval from the Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools, a mark of academic quality in theological education.
What are the admission requirements for graduate studies?
Graduate studies ask for a bachelor's degree from an institutionally accredited institution, official transcripts, a 3.0 GPA, a personal statement and letters of recommendation. An enrollment counselor can walk through the admissions process, upcoming start dates and requirements for international students, and an enrollment counselor can also map certificate units toward a master's program.
What career opportunities does a Christian ministry degree open?
Graduates serve as pastors, chaplains in hospitals, prisons and the military, missionaries, church planters, teachers and nonprofit leaders directing community outreach, with leadership roles across the church and community.
How does a theology degree strengthen faith?
Students enrolled in theology courses study Scripture to further the cause of Jesus Christ in the church and the culture, pairing theological reflection with spiritual formation so that Christian faith deepens alongside knowledge.
YOUR NEXT STEP, MADE CLEAR.
Your faith. His calling. Our community.
Faith that steadies you. A calling worth stepping into. Community that knows your name. That's Jessup: ready for the world, rooted in the word.
