Mar 17, 2025  
2019-2020 Academic Bulletin 
    
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2019-2020 Academic Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Religion MA (Interdisciplinary Track: Online)

The Religion MA (Interdisciplinary Track) is offered online and at the international sites.  It provides a solid biblical and theological foundation in terms of biblical knowledge and theological disciplines, critical thinking, and research abilities from which to pursue interdisciplinary collaboration in terms of research and learning with non-theological disciplines. It contributes to the preparation of pastors, teachers, and administrators with a solid understanding of Adventist history, beliefs, and practices, and the ability to think critically and collaboratively in matters of religion. The program requires a thesis/project or comprehensive exams and may reflect context-sensitive needs in its curriculum. 

Online Delivery: Language of instruction is English. This program is offered in an interactive online format (see School of Distance Education and International Partnerships Definitions). The interactive online degree does not require any on-campus time.

Total Credits - 38

Core - 24-30

Concentration - 12

Students in the Interdisciplinary Track: Online must complete the following concentration:

Electives

Choose electives in consultation with the Program Director to total 38 credits.

Additional Requirements

In addition to the scholarship standards in the Graduate Programs Academic Information section of this bulletin, students must fulfill the following requirements for both the research and the general academic orientation options:

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above. (Only 2 credit courses can be used to meet these requirements.)

Research Requirement: An MA thesis/project (6 credits) or comprehensive exams (0 credits) are to be completed and defended. A student who has chosen to do a thesis/project and has registered for GSEM 697 Master Thesis/GSEM 695 Research Project but has not finished the thesis/project, must register for GSEM 688 Master’s Degree Continuation (0 Credits) until the thesis/project has been approved.

Graduation Requirements

Transfer Credits: A maximum of 6 semester hours of credit with a B (3.00) or above may be transferred from an approved seminary or university if applicable to the student’s program. Transfer courses must have been completed within the six-year time limit.

Time Limits: A student must complete the requirements for the MA (Religion) degree and graduate within six years of first enrolling in the program regardless of admission classification.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MA (Religion) International program is based on the general admission requirements for all graduate students and the general Seminary admission requirements. Applicant must hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent, preferably with a major in religion or theology with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or above.

Prerequisites. Applicants must provide a transcript showing that they have taken the following courses at the undergraduate level with a GPA of 3.00 or better (on a 4.00 system). Prerequisites do not count as part of the 38 credits required for the MA (Religion) degree.

Prerequisites may be taken at any accredited educational institution. Students needing to take prerequisite courses, after applying to the MA Religion program, may submit courses by providing an official transcript showing that the course(s) taken meet the Transfer Credit Policy (see below) and the MA Religion prerequisite requirements to fulfill the course or language prerequisites.

  • Church History - 2 credits
  • New Testament Studies - 2 credits
  • Old Testament Studies - 2 credits
  • Theological Studies - 2 credits
  • Ellen G. White Writings - 2 credits
  • Adventist Studies - 2 credits 
  • Total prerequisite credits - 12

*(CHIS 504 - Adventist Heritage or its equivalent meets Adventist Studies and E. G. White Writings requirements)

Language Requirements. The applicant must meet the English proficiency requirements of the School of Graduate Studies and Research, if the program will be completed online or if the language of instruction is English.

Preparation for the Andrews PhD Religion program. Students completing the MA Religion Interactive Online Interdisciplinary Track will need to do additional coursework in an area of specialization before they can be accepted into the Andrews PhD Religion program. They will also have to show proficiency at the intermediate level in Greek, Hebrew, and a modern research language. Additional languages may be required depending on the area of specialization chosen for the PhD dissertation.

Student Learning Outcomes

The student will:

  • Conduct effective research for teaching and ministry.
  • Practice a biblically grounded approach to scholarly inquiry.
  • Articulate theology and research in terms of Seventh-day Adventist history, beliefs and practice.
  • Demonstrate a broad understanding of biblical studies, theology, and religious history within the Seventh-day Adventist church.