Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Ministry
Gain the knowledge and skills to revolutionize the marriages in your church and community
Providing a Quality Education Experience
Gary T Smalley School of Marriage and Family Ministry isn't just a degree
Ministry Readiness
Each course is designed with professional best practices in mind, keeping you up to speed and ready for the next chapter of your marriage and family ministry career.
Experienced Faculty
You’ll be learning from the top ministries in marriage and family, and we are here to support your education every step of the way.
Real World
Complete your first coaching experience early on in the program, helping you apply what you’ve learned by using it to aid real couples and families.
100% Online Education
Affordably earn your masters degree in marriage and family ministry
Gary T Smalley School of Marriage and Family is an evangelical Christian institution of higher learning with the purpose of offering exceptional programs of study where academic excellence is a priority and a biblically based perspective is designed. Gary T Smalley School of Marriage and Family is committed to creating an educational environment where students can thrive spiritually, intellectually, and professionally so they can serve God through the church in marriage and family ministry.
Pursuing a Master of Arts Marriage and Family Ministry allows you to acquire the expertise necessary to be successful in helping couples navigate the often turbulent waters of marriage. Each course in our certificate program is aligned with the highest standards in marriage and family education.
Upon completion of our masters program in marriage and family ministry you will be able to:
- Run a proven strategy for marriage ministry at a church
- Successfully coach couples and families in crisis with proven techniques from the top minds in marriage and family education
- Confidently speak or preach on marriage and family topics from a biblical perspective
- Train marriage mentors for your marriage ministry team
We know that trying to fit education into your busy schedule can feel overwhelming. That's why our masters program can be completed at your own pace, is 100% online, and utilizes the latest in technology so you can pursue your masters degree on a schedule that fits your needs. And it can all be done right from the comfort of your own home!
Make a Difference
You don't have to wait to begin your journey! Our masters program is open enrollment so you can start any time you want. Check out the course titles offered in the masters program.
Your 14 Courses for a Masters Degree
What you get with the Gary T Smalley Masters in Marriage and Family Ministry are the proven, established techniques used by Smalley for more than 50 years combined with the most current successful strategies developed from the top minds in marriage and family.
MMFM 610 Smalley Method of Marriage and Family Ministry
An overview of the Smalley method for helping couples and families and the key strategies used for more than 50 years in ministry.
MMFM 611 Spiritual Formation I
An introduction to how God works in the lives of individuals through the spiritual disciplines of prayer, journaling, and worship. Special focus will be given to applying these disciplines to the life of the marriage and family minister.
MMFM 612 Coaching Skills and Techniques
Learn the comprehensive basic helping skills needed to succeed at coaching in a church environment from a biblical world-view.
MMFM 613 Coaching Children and Adolescents
Examine the needs and issues of children and adolescents through counseling theories and practices for working with children and adolescents and their families. Developmental and crisis interventions will be addressed.
MMFM 614 Marriage and Family Coaching
This course considers the dynamics of the marriage relationship from an emotion-focused perspective. The specific elements highlighted are the theory, emotions, and framework of Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy. Special attention is also made of the Smalley intensive method knowledge and skills.
MMFM 615 Teaching and Group Dynamics
In this course students will gain knowledge and experience in what it takes to be a speaker and preacher on marriage and family topics. Attention will also be made in understanding group dynamics and strategies for small groups through a church perspective.
MMFM 616 Personal Development I
A focused time on developing a healthy identity in marriage and family ministry and as an individual in the context of your own life circumstances.
MMFM 617 Coaching Internship I
This is a three month coaching experience that builds on MMFM 612, 613, and 614 emphasizing practical training in coaching techniques, case management, and marriage ministry through supervised practice in a variety of ministry settings. Students participate in online meetings, teaching, and oversight training groups.
MMFM 618 Theory and Practice of Marriage Education
Students will be exposed to premiere marriage education programs and their techniques in helping couples. Each program will be critically evaluated for its effectiveness and research outcomes related to success in keeping couples together.
MMFM 619 Effective Marriage Ministry Model
Based on over 50 years of marriage ministry, this course presents a clinically proven strategy for churches to implement an effective marriage ministry model. Students will learn how to implement the strategy through a local church or multi-site campus across denominational styles.
MMFM 620 Integration of Christianity and Coaching
Students learn the latest techniques, theory, and general information that is vital to marriage and family ministry. This course explores the integration of theology and psychology, and the importance of the spiritual disciplines in psychotherapy, helping marriage and family coaches to integrate the biblical principles of forgiveness, redemption, restitution and prayer into their coaching techniques.
MMFM 621 Psychopathology and the Church
This course will focus on helping students learn how to respond effectively to people who are mentally ill in a grace-filled manner. An education about mental illness from biblical and scientific perspectives will help the student minister to those with mental illness (as defined in the DSM-5 manual).
MMFM 622 Intimacy and Sex
This course integrates the latest research from a Christian worldview on the treatment techniques used to help couples ahcieve health in their sexual intimacy. Approaches to evaluation and treatment are covered.
MMFM 623 Coaching Internship II
This is a three month coaching experience that builds on MMFM 618, 619, 620, 621, and 622 emphasizing practical training in coaching techniques, case management, and the marriage ministry model through supervised practice in a variety of ministry settings. Students participate in online meetings, teaching, and oversight training groups.
36 HOURS TO COMPLETE MASTERS
Pricing Options
Choose the plan that works best for you
12 PAYMENTS OF
$825
$275 PER CREDIT HOUR
SAVE 10% OFF THE 24 PAYMENT PLAN
TOTAL COST: $9,900
24 PAYMENTS OF
$430
$287 PER CREDIT HOUR
AFFORDABLE MONTHLY PAYMENTS
TOTAL COST: $10,320
Benefits of a Masters Degree
What you can achieve with a masters degree from Gary T Smalley School of Marriage and Family Ministry
Quality Coach
You get to experience an entire degree plan specifically designed to help you become an excellent marriage and family coach through the church. Every course builds on the others so your "tool belt" will contain a variety of proven techniques to help you be the best coach possible. But possibly most important, our masters program gives you the opportunity to grow spiritually, mentally, and emotionally...because you can't take people farther than you have gone yourself.
Massive Opportunity
There is a serious deficit of highly trained and educated marriage and family ministers in the church today. There's over 300,000 churches in the United States alone who need someone trained to make a positive impact on marriages and families. You can be at the forefront of a needed culture shift in church staffing for marriage and family leaders.
Generational Impact
With a masters degree from us, you will be fully equipped to make a life-changing impact on marriages and families that will trickle down for generations to come! You get a chance to be a part of a marriage and family revolution specifically designed and implemented for the church.
When you are ready to apply, fill out this form to get the process started.