Admission Requirements

The Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) is intended for liberal arts college graduates who do not have a strong academic background in Bible and Theology. This program is designed to give such persons a better understanding of the Scriptures to aid them in their service for the Lord as lay leaders in their local churches. Students are permitted to transfer a maximum of 6 acceptable credits into the M.A.R. program.

Graduation Requirements

A candidate in the M.A.R. program must have completed 32 hours of graduate study (including all requirements pertaining to the degree) with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. In addition to completing all classroom work and degree program requirements, the candidate must have evidenced solidarity of Christian character to the satisfaction of the faculty.

For course requirements, please see the online catalog (pdf).

Modules

Students may complete the M.A.R. in residence, or they may complete the M.A.R. without relocating to the Ankeny area by attending only modular courses. Students who complete the M.A.R. by modules must take at least three modules that are taught by members of the resident faculty. After completing nine credits, module students must apply to a degree program and be assigned a resident faculty advisor. Students who fail to apply to a degree program will not be allowed to put any additional credits (i.e., beyond the nine-credit limit) toward any degree program. It is in the best interest of the students, therefore, to apply to a degree program when or before the nine-credit limit is reached.

Advantages

The Master of Arts in Religion degree allows students to personalize their own program by choosing several elective classes from ministry courses as well as Bible and Theology courses.