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Master of Arts in Religion

Program Director and Administrative Assistant

Martin Hanna
Director, MA in Religion and Seminary Affiliations & Extensions. Associate Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology

Arnaldo Contreras
Administrative Assistant, MA in Religion and Seminary Affiliations and Extensions

Statement of Purpose/Mission:

The MA Religion program prepares specialists in religion, theology, or missions for general educational purposes and for further graduate study.

Description of Learning Goals/Outcomes:

Students who complete the MA: Religion Program are able to:
1. Commit to a Bible grounded, Christ centered, and Spirit filled approach to scholarly inquiry.
2. Promote Seventh-day Adventist identity and unity as pedagogical and scholarly goals.
3. Embrace multi-cultural community as the context for learning, worship, and service.
4. Demonstrate understanding of the central issues of their selected specialties.
5. Evaluate, conduct, and effectively communicate theological, biblical, and historical research.

Links

MA in Religion Bulletin.
http://www.andrews.edu/academics/bulletin/2011-2012/14sem/12-08-ma-religion.pdf
Library Access for Off Campus Students.
http://www.andrews.edu/library/ocls/offcamp.html
Code of Academic Integrity.
http://www.andrews.edu/academics/academic_integrity.html

MA in Religion Handbook
Graduate Programs Manual

Emphases

Archaeology and History of Antiquity
Biblical-Theological Studies (Affiliation and Extension Programs)
Biblical and Cognate Languages
Church History
Intercultural Studies
Intertestamental (Jewish) Studies
Jewish and Muslim Faiths
Mission Studies
New Testament Studies
Old Testament Studies
Theological Studies

Program length

This 48-credit program can typically be completed in two years.

2011–12 Application deadlines

Fall (begins August 22, 2011): July 15
Spring (begins January 9, 2012): November 15
Summer Session 1 (May 14 - June 8, 2012): March 15
Summer Session 2 (June 11 - July 6, 2012 ): April 15
Summer Session 3 (July 9 - August 3, 2012): May 15

Students who apply after the deadline will incur an additional late application fee.

Eligibility requirements

Baccalaureate degree: A four-year degree from an accredited United States institution, or its equivalent from an institution outside the U.S.
Undergraduate GPA: Minimum 3.00 (or 2.75 on the last half of undergraduate courses). The entire student profile is considered during the admissions process; students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements may also apply.
English proficiency: Students whose language of education is not English must submit a minimum TOEFL or MELAB score of 80.

Prerequisites

Emphasis	Language Requirement
Archaeology and History of Antiquity	Intermediate Greek or Biblical Hebrew II
Biblical and Cognate Languages	Intermediate Greek or Biblical Hebrew II
Biblical and Theological Studies	Intermediate Greek or Biblical Hebrew II
Church History	Intermediate Greek and Intermediate Latin
Intercultural Studies	Intermediate Arabic
Intertestamental (Jewish) Studies	Intermediate Greek or Biblical Hebrew II
Jewish and Muslim Faith	Biblical Hebrew II
Mission Studies	Intermediate Greek or Biblical Hebrew II or a reading knowledge of a modern foreign language)
New Testament Studies	Intermediate Greek Students who choose a major or minor in New Testament Studies must demonstrate proficiency in intermediate Greek by passing the language proficiency exam or by taking the intermediate Greek course at Andrews University and earning a grade of B or above
Old Testament Studies	Biblical Hebrew II Students who choose a major or minor in Old Testament Studies must demonstrate proficiency in intermediate Hebrew by passing the language proficiency exam or by taking the intermediate Hebrew course at Andrews University and earning a grade of B or above.)
Theological Studies	Intermediate Greek or Biblical Hebrew II

Admission requirements

Official transcripts: From institutions where all post-secondary coursework was taken. Download Transcript Request PDF
Recommendations: Two recommendations are required from professionals—such as advisors, major professors, and employers—excluding relatives. You are asked to provide names and email addresses on the online application, and then recommenders will receive an email with a direct link to the form.
Resume or professional history: Information about your employment, research, or special projects.
GRE score: The exam must be taken within five years prior to admission.
Statement of Purpose: A 500-word essay explaining your objectives in seeking a graduate degree at Andrews University. Include a description of your personal, professional, and academic goals; your philosophical perspective; and what you hope to accomplish professionally in ten years following the completion of your degree.
Personality questionnaire: Complete and return the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire as directed.

Additional requirements for international students

English proficiency: Students whose language of instruction is not English must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting a minimum TOEFL or MELAB score of 80.
Transcripts: Students have two options for submitting their transcripts.
1. Through a Credentials Evaluation Agency. Official Transcript Evaluations done by the following organizations: WES, AACRAO, ECE are accepted. Evaluations must be sent directly from the organization to us. Evaluations must include at least the overall GPA, degree title equivalent in the U.S., date of degree conferred and a copy of the transcript.
  
  OR
2. Sending transcripts directly from the university attended. Official, literal English translations of transcripts, along with the original-language documents, are required from institutions where English is not the language of instruction. Transcripts that are in Spanish or Portuguese do not need to submit an English translation.
Bachelor’s degree diploma: A copy of the literal English translation of the diploma, along with the original-language document may be sent by email. The copy of the Diploma is not needed if the transcripts come through an approved credential evaluation agency (WES, AACRAO, ECE) listing the graduation date. Also, a copy of the diploma is not needed if the transcripts list the graduation date and degree conferred.
Secondary Documents: A copy of these Secondary Documents may be required where applicable.
- Baccalaureate for the French system
- Abitur Diploma for the German system
- A-level results for the British system
Summary of Educational Experience: Complete the educational summary form and submit to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Management.
I-20 form: International students must obtain an I-20 form before applying for a visa. The requirements for obtaining an I-20 form are:
- Academic acceptance
- Payment of $2,000 advance deposit (not required for Mexico and Canada)
- Submit the Estimated Budget Sheet showing evidence of financial resources for one academic year
- A full semester payment in advance is required for citizens of Kenya and Ethiopia

The Office of Graduate Enrollment Management reserves the right to request additional documents at its own discretion.

Financial summary

$7096 per semester, based on 8 credits

Next steps

You can read up on application requirements, finances and frequently asked questions; or submit your application.

Have questions? Just email mhanna@andrews.edu or arnaldo@andrews.edu