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2023-2024 Academic Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Religion MA (Interdisciplinary Track: Online)
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The Religion MA (Interdisciplinary Track) is offered online. 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.
Students may choose to take the Christian Leadership concentration in consultation with the program director. If students choose not to take the Christian Leadership concentration, they must take the equivalent number of credits as electives.
Religion MA (Interdisciplinary Track: Online) degree does not require any time on the Michigan campus of Andrews University.
Online Delivery: Language of instruction is English. This program is offered in an interactive online asynchronous format (see School of Distance Education definitions). The interactive online degree does not require any on-campus time. Students are encouraged to come to campus for graduation.
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Electives - 2-14
Choose 2-14 credits of electives in consultation with the Program Director to total 38 credits for the program. The number of required electives will vary depending upon the student’s choice of capstone assessment. Electives may be chosen from any online courses offered by the Seminary with the following prefixes: CHIS, DSLE, GSEM, MSSN, NTST, OTST, PATH, and THST.
Students who choose the Christian Leadership concentration must take an additional 2 to 8 elective credits depending upon whether they complete an MA thesis/project (6 credits) or a comprehensive examination (0 credits). Students who do not choose the Christian Leadership concentration must complete between 8 and 14 elective credits depending upon whether they complete an MA thesis/project (6 credits) or a comprehensive examination (0 credits). Concentration - 12
Students in the Interdisciplinary Track: Online may choose in consultation with the Program Director the following concentration:
Additional Degree 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 6 credits of 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.
In addition to the General and Seminary Admission requirements specified above, applicants must meet the following: - Applicants will submit the following:
A 12- to 15-page research paper on a biblical/theological or ministerial topic that demonstrates solid academic-level research and writing skills (only for students who hold degrees from unaccredited schools, e.g., non-state and non-AAA accredited). A resumé documenting education and work experience and the applicant’s stability and maturity in interpersonal relationships and an authentic, vibrant biblical spirituality. A statement of purpose, including the call to pastoral ministry for MAR Interdisciplinary students. At least 3 letters of recommendations. Official transcripts showing the completion of an undergraduate (baccalaureate) degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Interview: If required, applicant who hold degrees from unaccredited schools will be interviewed by the program director or the Seminary dean. The interview will address key elements of the applicant’s life, including his or her philosophy of ministry, life experience, goals, and theology, etc.
Accredited Prerequisites: For applications who hold degrees from unaccredited schools to be accepted into the MAR Specialized program, an additional 12 undergraduate prerequisite credits (as per recommendation of the MAR director) from an accredited institution are required. Criminal Background Check: Because seminary students will, during and/or after their studies, be working in positions of trust, applicants who have lived in North America (US or CN) for 6 months or more are required to complete a Criminal Background Check before being accepted to the seminary. This is a regular requirement for many areas of leadership and is required by the North American Division for all volunteers and employees who work with children. Andrews University has selected the same company used by the North American Division - Sterling Volunteers - to administer your background check. There is a standard fee charged by Sterling Volunteers for this service. Please click here to complete this step. (If you have previously completed a background check with Sterling Volunteers, please email your status report to SemTest@andrews.edu.) With Sterling Volunteers, you can rest assured that your information is safe. All data is encrypted and is stored in a completely secure environment. If you have any questions or concerns about Sterling Volunteers’ security measures or payments, feel free to contact them at TheAdvocates@sterlingvolunteers.com or 855-326-1860, Option 1.
Students requesting consideration under these exceptions must submit a complete graduate application prior to being considered for admission. Students who meet the above requirements will be processed by the program’s office, taking to the Masters Admissions Committee only those cases that fall outside of this policy/protocol. Prerequisites. Applicants must provide a transcript showing that they have taken the following courses at the undergraduate level with an average 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
- Adventist & Ellen White Studies - 4 credits
- Total prerequisite credits - 12
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. Program and Course Learning Outcomes
- PLO1: Demonstrate competence at an advanced level in critical thinking and research methods. (Transferrable Skills, GIO 1)
- PLO2: Achieve a comprehensive and critically aware knowledge of Christian beliefs and practices with appropriate specializations in biblical and theological studies, religious history, and practical theology. (Knowledge, GIO 2)
- PLO3: Critique from a Seventh-day Adventist perspective key ideas, techniques, or methods in the field of religious studies. (Faith Development, GIO 3)
- PLO4: Autonomously use advanced knowledge in a manner consistent with Seventh-day Adventist thought and practice to address complex interpretative, theological, or pastoral problems for diverse communities. (Faith Integration, GIO 4)
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