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2024-2025 Academic Bulletin
Religion MA (Specialized Track)
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The Religion MA (Specialized Track) program specifically provides students with the opportunity to increase their knowledge of biblical and theological disciplines, develop skills in research, and prepare them for future doctoral studies. The Specialized track contributes to the preparation of teachers and church workers with a solid understanding of Adventist history, beliefs, and practices, and the ability to think critically and creatively in matters of religion.
Delivery: The Religion MA (Specialized Track) is offered on the Andrews University main campus as well as online with some interactive online courses offered synchronously (via Zoom) and some offered asynchronously (see Global Campus definitions). Students are encouraged to come to campus for graduation.
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Concentration - 18
Students must select their area of concentration within the first semester of starting courses. The director of the MA in Religion program, in cooperation with department chairs, assigns academic advisers in the student’s area of specialization. Concentration options for the MA Religion are:
Distance Courses. Online courses must be approved by the MA Religion director before the course begins. These courses must cover appropriate content with sufficient rigor to meet the academic expectations of the MA Religion degree.
Additional Requirements
- Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above. [Only 3-credit courses may be used to meet these requirements.]
- In addition to the scholarship standards in the School of Graduate Studies section of this bulletin, students must fulfill the requirements listed above.
- Research Requirements: An MA thesis with a total of 5 credits must be defended and completed. Thesis cannot be started until all language requirements are completed. A student who has registered the required 5 thesis course credits but has not finished the thesis must register for GSEM 688 - Masters Degree Continuation, 0 credits, until the thesis has been approved/completed.
Graduation Requirements
Transfer Credits. A maximum of 6 masters level semester hours of coursework, 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 Religion MA (Specialized) program is based on the general admission requirements for all graduate students and the general Seminary admission requirements. Applicants 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. 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 (see below) 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 demonstrate proficiency, in languages other than English, or show a plan for acquiring language proficiency as determined by the selected area of concentration. Proficiency is defined as the reading knowledge of a language at the intermediate level. Examinations are generally required to demonstrate proficiency. Language proficiency courses do not apply toward the 38 credits of the MA degree requirements. Applicant must demonstrate Biblical Greek and Hebrew proficiency at the intermediate level. Students who have already taken Greek or Hebrew at the undergraduate level must take the placement exam and show that they have an intermediate level of competency in both languages. If the appropriate score(s) are not earned, the student will have to retake the language courses at Andrews. Biblical language proficiency must be demonstrated before registration of exegesis courses. Registering for Greek and Hebrew Placement Exams A student who passes the Hebrew or Greek placement exam must register for the zero credit section of the course in order for their academic transcript to show a grade of “P” for passing, which is the designation for Challenge by Examination. No entry shall be made on the transcript if the student fails the examination. However, a student who fails the examination will be required to take the prerequisite course for credit. Placement exams must be taken the first year of starting the program and can only be taken once. Students will register for placement exam(s) as follow: - NTST 551 - Beginner Greek Placement Exam, 0 credits, must receive a score of 45% or higher to pass.
- NTST 552 - Intermediate Greek Placement Exam, 0 credits, must receive a score of 60% or higher to pass.
- OTST 551 - Beginner Hebrew Placement Exam, 0 credits, must receive a score of 85% or higher in Part 1 of the exam to pass.
- OTST 552 - Intermediate Hebrew Placement Exam, 0 credits, must receive a score of 85% or higher in Parts 1 and 2 of the exam to pass.
Students who choose to demonstrate proficiency in Hebrew and/or Greek by taking the courses at Andrews may use the credits to fulfill course Prerequisite Elective requirements.
Modern Language A modern language of French or German must generally be completed by examination and/or course work (FREN 505, GRMN 505). Exceptions to this rule are listed under areas of Concentration. This is in addition to the minimum 38 program credits. Other modern research languages may be considered by the program director if the language is relevant to the topic of the thesis/project. Modern language deficiencies must be completed before registering for the MA thesis/project. 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)
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