Program Leadership Concentration

Equipping and Enhancing the Work of Exceptional Leaders 

The Master of Arts in Outdoor and Adventure Leadership – Program Leadership Concentration is designed to equip and enhance the work of exceptional leaders for Christian formation and ministry using experiential education methods in a fast-changing, multicultural world. Program Leadership graduates oversee and facilitate ministry to children, youth and emerging adults with excellence. This degree is ideal for those early in their careers, as well as those looking for equipping to launch them into leading, training leaders, and facilitating experiential ministry programs at camps, colleges, churches, and other experiential ministries globally.

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Why Pursue the OAL-PL Concentration? 

Learning in Practice: Two Ways to Pursue Your Degree

The 2-year residential program is designed to be taken by Graduate Assistants who work at the HoneyRock or Wheaton campuses, allowing excellent integration of academic work and practice.  

Learn More About Graduate Assistantships Through HoneyRock

Students with commitments elsewhere 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 (mix of online with 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.

Missional While Learning

Whether engaging in research that directly impacts ministry to youth and emerging adults, addressing issues of social justice, creating sustainable programs that respect environment, or developing leaders for the church and society worldwide; you will make an impact while you learn the skills, develop the capacity, and refine your character as an MA student in this program.

Experiential Learning Process

You will receive a liberal arts education that will integrate deep thinking, research and reflection, with ministry and leadership application at HoneyRock, Wheaton, or at your current workplace. The camp context is a “leadership laboratory” where you will learn hands-on by continuously encountering truth, experience and disciplined reflection.

Multicultural and Global Reach

You will learn to recognize and adapt to doing ministry in multicultural environments. Through the program’s local and global Christian Camping networks and partnerships, you will encounter Christian formation and leadership from cultural contexts different from your own.

World Renowned Faculty

You will learn from global thought leaders with a passion to train practitioners who share the Gospel through transformational programming and experiences. Our faculty include practicing and published professionals in global camp ministry, organizational and leadership change management, youth and emerging adult ministry, and care and counseling.

Cohort Learning

Students from different backgrounds and experiences come together in residential or flexible learning formats to learn from one another through rich discourse, instruction and experiences. You’ll build lasting relationships as a learning community, glean best practices from one another, and wrestle with industry issues as a team.

Admission Requirements

Learn more about the Admission Requirements to apply for the M.A. in Outdoor and Adventure Leadership.

Abigail-Sawer

Abigail Sawer '22

Abigail Sawer '22 (Baylor University, Senior Coordinator of Outdoor Adventure) reflects on how the leadership theories and models that are covered in the OAL program have become "the lens through which every conversation and program decision is made". The coursework and electives of the MA in Outdoor and Adventure Leadership, "created the space to develop the hard skills of facilitating outdoor programs, while also molding and shaping my leadership to have a firm foundation in Jesus Christ so I can lead a program well while having the skills and knowledge to care for others deeply".