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 flexibility
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 filed
with the office of the dean by the end of the student's
first 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 specific
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:
- to complete at least two consecutive
semesters in residency at full-time status. 'Residency'
is defined as academic work done at UDTS. 'Full-time'
is defined as at least nine semester hours;
- 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 Office as they design their learning contract.
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