Nov 23, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Bulletin 
    
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2024-2025 Academic Bulletin

Religion MA (Interdisciplinary Track: International Sites)

The Religion MA (Interdisciplinary Track) is offered online and at 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.

Sites may choose to offer a concentration in consultation with the program director. If sites choose not to offer a concentration, they must offer the equivalent number of credits as electives.

The international sites degree does not require any time on the Michigan campus of Andrews University.

International Sites:

Site Location Institution Name Language of Instruction
Hong Kong Hong Kong Adventist College/Chinese Adventist Seminary Chinese/English
Poland Polish Senior College of Theology & Humanities Polish/English/Russian
Romania Universitatea Adventus din Cernica (Adventus University of Cernica) English/Romanian
Russia Zaoksky Adventist University Russian
Taiwan Taiwan Adventist College (TAC) Chinese
Thailand Asia-Pacific International University English
Ukraine Ukrainian Adventist Center of Higher Education Russian/Ukrainian

Total Credits - 38+

Core - 24-30

Electives - 0-14

Choose 0-14 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 courses offered by the Seminary with the following prefixes: CHIS, DSLE, GSEM, MSSN, NTST, OTST, PATH, and THST.

Sites which choose to offer a concentration must offer an additional 0-2 elective credits depending upon whether students complete an MA thesis/project (6 credits) or a comprehensive examination (0 credits).

Sites which do not choose to offer a concentration must offer between 8 and 14 elective credits depending upon whether students complete an MA thesis/project (6 credits) or a comprehensive examination (0 credits).

Independent Study. Independent study credits are not accepted as part of the MA (Religion) degree offered at international sites.

Online courses may be taken by off-campus students with the Program Director’s approval. Tuition and fees for online courses will be charged in accordance with the online program fees of the current bulletin.

Concentration - 12

One of the following concentrations may be selected by the site:

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 Requirements. 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 GSEM697 Master Thesis or GSEM695 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: 

  1. 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). 

  1. A resumé documenting education and work experience and the applicant’s stability and maturity in interpersonal relationships and an authentic, vibrant biblical spirituality. 

  1. A statement of purpose, including the call to pastoral ministry for MAR Interdisciplinary students.  

  1. At least 3 letters of recommendations.  

  1. Official transcripts showing the completion of an undergraduate (baccalaureate) degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. 

  1. 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.  

  1. 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. 

  1. Pre-Admission Conduct Disclosure Statement: Applicants to all Seminary programs are required to complete and submit to the Seminary.

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 and the MA Religion prerequisite requirements to fulfill the course or language prerequisites.

Prerequisites must be completed within the first year of entering the program.

  • Church History - 2 credits
  • New Testament Studies - 2 credits
  • Old Testament Studies - 2 credits
  • Theological Studies - 2 credits
  • Adventist 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 International 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

Graduates of this program will:
  • Demonstrate competence at an advanced level in critical thinking and research methods. (Transferrable Skills, GIO 1)
  • 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) 
  • Critique from a Seventh-day Adventist perspective key ideas, techniques or methods in the field of religious studies. (Faith Development, GIO 3)  
  • 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)