BA · Pastoral Ministries · Kirkland Campus
Learn to Pastor While You Still Have Shepherds Around You
A College of Ministry B.A. in Pastoral Ministries at NU in Kirkland, studying preaching, care, and leadership for the local church.
Personal guidance. No application required.
Request Information About This Program
An admissions counselor will follow up within one business day.
Churches Need Pastors Who Can Preach, Care, and Stay.
Pastoral work is not a personality type. It is a set of skills practiced under authority, in community.
Northwest University has formed ministers since 1934. The pastoral ministries major sits in the College of Ministry on the Kirkland campus, with Eastside and Seattle churches as nearby laboratories.
Pair the BA with internships and, when you are ready, NU graduate ministry degrees.
Why Students Choose Northwest University
Recognized for Excellence
Regionally Accredited
NWCCU accredited
CCCU Member
Council for Christian Colleges & Universities
#38 Regional Universities West
U.S. News & World Report, 2027
Only in Washington
The only Christian college in the state that requires undergraduate students, staff, and faculty to sign a statement of faith
Why Northwest University
Local church at the center
A major aimed at pastors, not only at academic theology.
Preaching and care
The weekly work of the pulpit and the hospital room.
College of Ministry mentors
Faculty who have served the church and still walk with students.
Kirkland and Seattle churches
Serve while you study, ten miles from the city.
A path to the M.A.
Continue into Ministry Leadership and Theology when the BA is done.
A Private Christian University That Costs Less than You Think
2025–2026 academic year
Northwest University already starts with one of the lowest sticker prices among private Christian universities in the region. After scholarships and grants, most families pay far less.
$49,120
Sticker cost
Tuition, room and board, and student fees.
$25,433
Typical actual cost
After average scholarships and grants, excluding loans.
$23,687
Average aid award
Scholarships and grants. Your award may be higher.
Already Started College? Finish at NU.
Bring your credits into the Pastoral Ministries program. 66% of new Kirkland undergraduates arrived with college credit already earned. A qualifying associate degree (including a Washington DTA) awards 60 semester credits and junior standing.
66%
New Kirkland undergrads who started with college credit
60 credits
Block transfer for a qualifying associate degree
$5k–$13k
Transfer academic scholarships per year
Request a free unofficial transcript evaluation from a transfer admissions counselor. Official credit is awarded after admission and official transcripts.
Pastoral Outcomes
Church staff, preaching and care roles, campus ministry, and graduate ministry.
- Lead and associate pastor pathways
- Pastoral care
- Campus and youth ministry
- Church planting teams
- Graduate ministry degrees
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get Started
Request information
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Talk with an admissions counselor
A counselor contacts you within one business day to answer questions about the program, cost, and next steps.
Apply
Your counselor walks you through the application and any program-specific requirements.
(opens in a new tab)Start your term
Get registered, meet your faculty, and begin coursework on the Kirkland campus or online.
Your future starts with a conversation
Request Information About This Program
An admissions counselor will follow up within one business day.
Personal guidance. No application required.