Best institutions to study Church Planting
A program of study that prepares individuals to establish congregations of Christians in new locations.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 15 Church Planting students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 39.0302, a specialization of Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology (CIP 39.03), and leads most directly to the Religious Workers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 21-2099).
About Church Planting programs
A program of study that prepares individuals to establish congregations of Christians in new locations. Includes instruction in models of church planting, church multiplication strategies, church leadership, evangelism, missiology, Christian ethics, and mission-oriented theology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Church Planting program, a specialization within Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology, prepares individuals to establish new Christian congregations. This program is ideal for those passionate about expanding their faith communities and engaging in mission work in diverse locations. It equips students with the necessary tools to lead and grow churches effectively.
Students in the Church Planting program will explore various models of church planting, church multiplication strategies, and essential topics such as evangelism, missiology, and Christian ethics. Coursework emphasizes mission-oriented theology and church leadership, providing a comprehensive foundation for future religious work.
Credentials awarded
What Church Planting graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree15 graduates / yr · 3 institutions100%
Graduates over time
Church Planting completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 15 |
CIP 39.0302 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 3 institutions for Church Planting, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 61% | $20,903 |
| 2 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 65% | $28,911 |
| 3 | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 74% | — |
Offered in 3 states
Where Church Planting graduates come from. Each state links to all Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 1 | 6 | Olivet Nazarene University6 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 5 | Liberty University5 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 4 | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-2099, Religious Workers, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Church Planting program typically pursue careers as religious workers, with an average of 15 graduates per year in the U.S. The job outlook for this field shows little or no change, with approximately 11,100 annual openings and a median wage of $45,120. A bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 39.0302
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Religious Workers, All Otherprimary SOC 21-2099 | $45,280 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~11,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Related careers
Other Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology (CIP 39.03).
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Missions/
Missionary Studies and Missiology39.0399
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology programs →
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You will earn a Master's degree in Church Planting.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 3 colleges offering the Church Planting program.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
Graduates often work as religious workers, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with 11,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Church Planting?+
Church Planting is CIP 39.0302 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology (CIP 39.03). NCES defines it as: A program of study that prepares individuals to establish congregations of Christians in new locations. Includes instruction in models of church planting, church multiplication strategies, church leadership, evangelism, missiology, Christian ethics, and mission-oriented theology.
How many institutions offer Church Planting programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Church Planting graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 3 states, awarding 15 credentials in the year. That is 1.2% of all Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology graduates.
How much do Church Planting graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Religious Workers, All Other occupation, which Church Planting most directly leads to, pays a median of $45,280 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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