Master of Arts in Leadership: Outdoor & Adventure Leadership Concentration

Thoughtfully Grounded. Spiritually Mature. Practically Skilled Leaders 

The mission for the M.A. in Leadership, Outdoor & Adventure Leadership Concentration, is “to foster the development of thoughtfully grounded, spiritually maturing, and practically skilled outdoor ministry professionals who are able to lead in their organizations in culturally savvy ways for Christ and His Kingdom. This track is specifically designed for those called to provide leadership in outdoor, experientially oriented, temporary community-based ministries in a variety of contexts, including camps, colleges, churches, non-profits, and for-profit organizations. It integrates courses on the theology and practice of outdoor-related ministry with core courses in Christ-centered leadership.”

Program Distinctives 

Skills to Lead in a Globalized World

In our increasingly connected world, the demand for visionary, culturally intelligent, and value-driven leaders is ever-growing. The Organizational Leadership Concentration is designed to nurture a new generation of Christ-centered experiential leaders in camps, conferences, churches, and beyond. This is a unique leadership program that combines evidence-based leadership research, biblical engagement, and practical skill development.  

Program Distinctives

We believe effective leadership development requires three foundational pillars:

• Spiritual maturity that owns personal faith and inspires growth in others
• Theoretical grounding to discern contextual needs through theologically sound lenses
• Practical skills of scholar/practitioners who create growth-infusing environments

The M.A. in Leadership, Outdoor & Adventure Leadership Concentration is designed to holistically elevate students’ leadership capacity by building on all three pillars with a global impact in mind. In this program, you will interact with and learn from globally renowned scholars and real-world experts from organizational and outdoor ministry contexts.

Flexible Learning Format

Students can continue working in their current vocations while completing the program in flexible learning formats. All courses are offered in modular (7-10-day intensives), hybrid (a mix of online and 2- to 3-day residential sessions), or online formats. To accommodate busy work and family schedules, students take an average of 8 credit hours per semester, completing the degree in three years

LEAD OAL Course Requirements

OAL – Organizational Leadership Concentration students complete 36 hours of credit to graduate. They include 24 hours of core courses, 10 hours specific to the concentration, and 2 electives.