Program Areas of Emphasis

Three levels of study are available in Religious Education.

Graduate Certificates 

A graduate certificate program is a focused group of courses with a coherent knowledge base in one field of specialization. The successful completion of a graduate certificate program is noted on the student's transcript. Religious Education currently offers two 12-credit graduate certificate programs:

Master of Arts

Young Adult and Youth Ministry
The MA in Youth and Young Adult Ministry provides study in
theology, church history, world mission, and the specialized field
of youth and young adult ministry. The graduate of the MA in
Youth and Young Adult Ministry is competent to:

• Develop, direct, and evaluate youth ministry programs in the
  local church and other targeted areas with both professional
  and theological competency.
• Recruit, nurture, and disciple youth in Christian service and
  vocation.
• Recruit, nurture, and disciple adult youth leaders.
• Reflect constructively and theologically upon the content and
  process of youth ministry.
• Serve in a variety of vocations, such as youth pastor, dormitory
  dean, local church youth leader, conference youth director,
  university/college/academy chaplain, and guidance counselor.

Religious Education
Master of Arts in Religious Education is an interdisciplinary academic program that prepares both professional and lay pastor/teachers for leadership roles in settings where religious, moral, and spiritual nurture and growth are primary concerns. The MA in Religious Education will equip students for:

• Christian Formation and Discipleship
• Theological Curriculum & Instruction
• Denominational Certification for Secondary Religion Teaching
• Family Life Education*
• Campus Spiritual Leadership*
• Children's Ministry*

*Students electing to obtain a graduate certificate in family life education or campus spiritual leadership can continue to study and obtain all of the requirements for the MA: Religious Education either by coming to campus full-time or by coming to campus for summer intensives that require pre-campus and post-campus academic work. Other options require campus residency throughout the program.

Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Education

The PhD in Religious Education prepares men and women to be scholars, teachers and researchers in specialized teaching and discipling ministries of the Church. All candidates further develop the core competencies of a religious educator and select an area of specialization for intense study and research using research methodologies of the social sciences. Students may design an individualized course of study if three conditions are met: 

• Academic area must be appropriate to Religious Education.
• Graduate courses on the topic must be available at Andrews
  University.
• Andrews University faculty with expertise in the topic must
  be available for advising.