Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibilityMaster of Arts (MA): Religion - Program Requirements - La Sierra University
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Master of Arts (MA): Religion

1. For regular admission, applicants must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree or equivalent with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better (on a 4-point scale) from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university.

2. Applicants who meet the GPA requirements stated above may be admitted to regular admission or may receive provisional admission while completing 12 units of courses in the program with grades of B or better. In addition, the Divinity School retains the right to require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from any applicant in advance of admission. Provisional status is not available for F-1 visa students.

3. International applicants must meet the requirements of the university for English-language competence to enroll in full college level coursework. Th e Divinity School will consider waiving this requirement for international applicants who have demonstrated success in graduate courses or programs off ered in English at other universities.

4. Students may normally transfer up to half of the required units from an accredited graduate program in another university.

The following constitute the course requirements for the regular MA Religion program, which is designed for students who have little or no undergraduate coursework in religious studies or theology. It includes the foundation courses listed in italics. Students who have an undergraduate degree in religious studies or theology or who have taken the undergraduate equivalent of one or more of the foundation courses may qualify for advanced standing in the program. Contact the director of graduate programs for details. Normally consisting of two years, the MA Religion program does not provide for primary or secondary course emphases, except as negotiated by students with a department of the School. If so arranged, the program will typically require more time to complete. The Department of Theological Studies (Theology, Philosophy, History, Ethics, Adventist Studies, i.e., all RELE, RELH and RELT courses) regularly offers advanced courses that are ideally suited for an MA Religion program. Please contact the department for details. All courses are 4 quarter units.
ay Adventist Church may substitute up to two courses from their own tradition with the approval of the director of graduate studies. All courses are 4 quarter units.

General Religious Studies (4 units)

RELG 510 Research and Writing in Religion

One of the following (4 units):

RELG 501 The Study of Religion: Theory & Practice

RELG 511 The Religions of the World

Biblical Studies (16 units)

RELB 501 The Old Testament & Its Communities

RELB 502 The New Testament & Its Communities

RELB 511 Interpreting OT Texts

RELB 512 Interpreting NT Texts

Christian Ethics (8 units)

RELE 504 Christianity and Culture

RELE 514 Christian Social Ethics

Christian Theology (8 units)

RELT 504 Principles of Christian Theology

RELT 514 Systematic Theology

History of Christianity (8 units)

RELH 504 A Survey History of Christianity

RELH 514 Studies in the History of Christianity

Seventh-day Adventist Studies (8 units)

RELH 506 History of Seventh-day Adventism

RELT 516 Seventh-day Adventist Theology

One of the following (4 units):

REL_ 698 Thesis

Elective course

Total: 60 units

1. Students may enter this program only in the fall term and must apply by April 1.

2. Full-time students will normally enroll in 3 courses (12 units) per quarter.

3. Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.00 or better, with no individual course grade lower than B- counting for credit.

4. Students will choose electives from among graduate courses offered by the Divinity School except those with prefixes of RELP or RELM.

5. Students will complete a summative assignment in the program. They may choose (a) to write and defend a thesis and/or (b) to write and pass a comprehensive examination. Those who choose only the comprehensive examination will complete a 4-unit elective in the program.

Contact and Location

divinity@lasierra.edu

951.785.2041
La Sierra Hall, Room 205

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