How Much Time Do Maritime Christian College Online Programs Require?

Maritime Christian College (mccpei.com) lists two different weekly time commitments depending on the program level. The Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership is described as a 2–3 year online graduate degree requiring about 10 hours weekly, while the two certificate programs — How to Study the Bible Online and Disciple Maker's Path — are each described as 1-year programs requiring about 3 hours weekly. If you can only spare a few hours a week, a certificate is the realistic starting point; the graduate degree assumes roughly triple that commitment.

Time commitment at a glance

These figures come from the program descriptions on the college's homepage. They describe the intended pace rather than a hard cap, so treat them as planning estimates.

What the weekly hours actually mean

Certificate programs (~3 hours/week)

Both certificates are built for people who are not full-time students. The college describes its platform as "completely online, offering flexible and accessible learning to students regardless of where they live," and the certificate descriptions emphasize practical, step-by-step learning:

• How to Study the Bible Online — a step-by-step process of learning to study the meaning of scripture using proven interpretive methods.
• Disciple Maker's Path — studying Jesus' method of building relationships, described as "Simple, Practical, Transformative."

At roughly 3 hours a week over a year, this fits alongside a job, church involvement, or family responsibilities. Student testimonials on the site reflect this kind of learner — for example, Jamie Bombardier (Disciple Makers Path) said they had "already started taking steps to implement what I've learned" and wanted their whole church council to take the course together.

Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership (~10 hours/week)

The graduate degree is positioned as "advanced leadership training preparing students for disciple focused ministry and leadership in the church." Ten hours a week is a genuine part-time load — closer to a second job than a hobby — and the 2–3 year range suggests the pace can stretch depending on your situation.

One practical note from the site: a student testimonial mentions a bursary that reduced the financial barriers of the master's program. Nathan Shelton (Master of Arts) said the bursary "helped me by knocking down the financial barriers of a masters program." Cost and aid details are not published on the homepage, so ask the college directly before assuming a budget.

How to decide which fits your schedule

Ask yourself three questions:

1. How many hours per week can you protect consistently? Around 3 hours points to a certificate; around 10 points to the master's.
2. Do you want a credential or a skill? The certificates target specific abilities (interpreting scripture, making disciples). The master's targets leadership roles in the church.
3. What is your timeline? One year for a certificate versus two to three years for the degree.

If you are unsure, the lower-commitment certificate is the safer first step — it lets you test whether online study fits your routine before committing to a multi-year graduate program.

Common sticking points

• The hours are weekly averages, not fixed class times. The college emphasizes flexible schedules, so you schedule study around your own week — but that also means you have to be self-directed.
• "1 year" and "2–3 years" assume steady progress. Taking breaks extends the calendar time.
• The master's is a bigger jump than it looks. Ten hours a week for two to three years is a long sustained effort; plan for it before enrolling.
• Financial details aren't on the homepage. The site references at least one bursary but does not publish tuition, so request information from the college for current costs and aid.

Next step

Use the "Request Information" option on mccpei.com to confirm current schedules, start dates, and costs for the specific program you're considering, then match the weekly hours above against your actual availability.