Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.)

Recognizing the need to equip men and women for lay ministries, the seminary has designed the Master of Arts in Religion degree, a program with the exibility to meet a variety of personal and professional goals. It is a two-year degree for individuals whose vocational plans do not require ordination.

Entrance into the Master of Arts in Religion program is permitted in any academic semester.

Degree Program Requirements

The coordinator for M.A.R. students and the respective advisor will develop with each advisee the required learning contract. The learning contract is a focused plan of study, concentrating on areas of the curriculum of particular interest to the individual student. This learning contract, bearing the signatures of the advisor, the advisee and the coordinator of the M.A.R. program is
led with the of
ce of the dean by the end of the student's
rst semester in the program. A report or an updated learning contract is submitted to the M.A.R. coordinator at least once a year during the program of study. The updated learning contract includes statements which relate to the academic, personal, and career goals of the student.

Course Requirements

Students in the M.A.R. program are required to complete 54 semester hours of course work. A cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 is required for graduation. M.A.R. course requirements will ordinarily be met through one of the four options outlined below. Students enrolled in the M.A.R. Shall follow the degree plan outlined below.

Option 1: Basic M.A.R. Program
According to this option, students may distribute all 54 hours among the three divisions of the Seminary (Biblical Studies, History/Theology, and Ministry). They will ordinarily complete the following courses:

• BI 411/511D Old Testament Introduction
• BI 450/550D New Testament Introduction
• HT 400/500D Early and Medieval Church History
• HT 402/502D Reformation and Modern Church History
• HT 440/540D Christian Doctrine I
• HT 456/556D Christian Doctrine II
• Two courses in the Ministry Division

Option 2: M.A.R. in Biblical Studies or History/Theology
Students preparing for academic careers or with speci
c career goals that require a focus of studies outside the practice of ministry may elect to earn the majority of their hours toward the M.A.R. in the Bible Division or in the History/Theology Division of the curriculum. In developing their learning contracts, they and their advisors will determine which courses will be required, given their previous preparation.

Option 3: M.A.R. in Ministry
Students preparing for leadership roles in the church may elect to focus their studies in the Ministry Division of the curriculum. Students pursuing this option will ordinarily complete the following courses:

• BI 411/511D Old Testament Introduction
• BI 450/550D New Testament Introduction
• HT 400/500D Early and Medieval Church History
• HT 402/502D Reformation and Modern Church History
• HT 440/540D Christian Doctrine I
• HT 456/556D Christian Doctrine II

Students pursuing this M.A.R. option will complete a minimum of 18 semester hours in ministry and 18 semester hours in courses designed to support their ministry focus, of which a minimum of six semester hours of Supervised Practice of Ministry is ordinarily required.

Residency Requirements

In addition to the semester-hour and course requirements listed, M.A.R. students are required:

1. to complete at least two consecutive semesters in residency at full-time status. 'Residency' is de
   ned as academic work done at UDTS. 'Full-time' is de
   ned as at least nine semester hours;
2. to complete at least 27 hours at UDTS.

SPM for the Master of Arts in Religion Program
For those seeking the Master of Arts in Religion degree, SPM is an elective option for all degree plans except the M.A.R. in Ministry, where a minimum of six credit hours is ordinarily required. M.A.R. students interested in SPM should consult with the Field Education Of
ce as they design their learning contract.