Master of Arts in Religion Degree

This advanced degree is designed for synodically certified teachers and staff ministers who have not met the language requirements for the Bachelor of Divinity or Master of Divinity degree.

The candidate must earn at least 45 credits. Nine (9) of these may be earned by writing an acceptable thesis in the major area, or up to six (6) may be earned in directed research in any area. Tuition cost for credits earned in this manner will be identical to tuition cost for credits earned in the classroom.

The major areas in which graduate credit will be given and from which the student must choose his area of concentration are the following:

• Historical Theology
• Systematic Theology
• Practical Theology
• In addition, credits in designated courses in Exegetical Theology will be accepted toward fulfilling the requirements of the MAR degree.

The candidate for the degree must earn at least 21 credits in his area of concentration. Nine (9) of these credits may be earned by writing a thesis, or up to six (6) in directed research.

Of the remaining 24 credits, at least 15 must be earned in the other major areas. Comprehensive examinations, both oral and written, will be included in the requirements for the degree. (Cf. additional note below.)

Students who intend to become candidates for the degree shall indicate this intention by applying to the chairman of the department of their major concentration for an advisor. For summer quarter students pursuing an advanced degree, credits from courses taken more than 15 years in the past will not apply to the degree.

Candidates choosing to write a thesis shall submit a thesis subject for approval by the faculty no later than one full year prior to the conferral of the degree.

A candidate who earns 36 credits and writes a thesis will submit to both a written examination on the courses taken and an oral examination on the thesis written. A candidate who earns 45 credits toward a degree but does not write a thesis will be required to take only a written examination on the courses taken.