Religion Degrees Online

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
Applicants for admission to the Master of Arts program in Religion must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.

Full Admission may be granted to applicants who satisfy all of the academic standards and prerequisites listed below and receive the endorsement of the Program Director.

Provisional Admission may be granted to applicants who satisfy any two of the three academic standards listed below plus all of the listed prerequisites and receive the endorsement of the Program Director. NOTE: Students granted Provisional Admission must maintain a 3.00 GPA during their first 12 hours of graduate work to be eligible to receive Full Admission and continue their graduate study.

The required endorsement may be granted following a review of all relevant factors, including - but not limited to - the level of performance in any previous graduate course work and the dates of completion of previous academic work, when in the judgement of the Program Director there is sufficient evidence to clearly suggest the potential for success in a graduate level program. An interview may be required at the discretion of the Program Director.

The Master of Arts in Religion is a 30-hour thesis program offering advanced academic study in religion and also preparation for further graduate study. A minor in religion is available for students majoring in other disciplines.

The purpose of the educational program of the Religion and Theology Degree is to provide Christ-centered, distinctively Seventh-day Adventist, clinically grounded theological education for students in preparation for pastoral ministry, evangelism, teaching, Christian counseling, and chaplaincy. The religion and theology program is designed to prepare individuals for effective service to God, church, and humanity. Specifically the program seeks to prepare students for entry-level practice in ministry and for seminary and graduate study in religion and theology in preparation for specialized ministry. The department serves the general student body of Oakwood University through the provision of religion and theology courses across the curriculum. The department also serves as a resource to all University departments for the promotion of faith and learning.

The Bible & Ministry program offers:
Preparation for ministry or graduate study.
Development of skills for professional or lay ministry
Credit opportunities for prior learning experience.
Financial aid counseling.
Workshop and seminar style classes in evenings and on weekends.
Flexible scheduling in seven week sessions.

Concentrations in:
Pastoral ministry
Associate ministry
Missionary service
Christian counseling
Pre-seminary

An accelerated program accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Formal in-depth Bible study and development of ministry talents and skills
Involvement in ministry as a volunteer or professional in a Christian organization
Accelerated evening or weekend classes
Personal growth in interpersonal relationships which reflect biblical values
A balance of biblical and theological education with practical skills

Recognizing the individual and the particular needs of the individual, the Religion program at Averett University is designed to prepare the student for continuing seminary/graduate study or for an immediate career in Christian ministry.

The Religion program attempts to combine classroom learning with actual field experience so that the graduate is both intellectually equipped and practically trained in his/her profession. The Bachelor of Arts in Religion is the basic degree and is designed primarily for students moving toward the practice of ministry. The student may elect to complete 6 hours of Greek and 6 hours of Hebrew to satisfy the foreign language requirement for any of these majors.

The religion major has two tracks: a religion track and a religion/philosophy track. The major is intended to give students a broad introduction to the theological enterprise, to relate that enterprise to the students� total educational experience, and to respond creatively to the world in which they live in terms of their religious and theological heritage. It aims to broaden students� moral responsibility, to develop their thinking, speaking, and writing skills while encouraging them to consider faith and ethical commitments as preparation for a life of responsible service in church and society.

The religion track is designed to acquaint students with the discipline of theology in both its historic and contemporary expressions and to see the connection between theology and various religious and philosophical traditions. The religion/philosophy track is designed to explore how the methods and concepts of philosophy can assist us in the examination and clarification of theological ideas.

Courses are offered in the areas of Tradition and Culture, Text and Context, Contemporary Issues, Seminar and Thesis; Topics courses, Internships, and Independent Studies are also available. Students may choose a religion major as a viable liberal arts major which encourages students to think more clearly, critically, and comprehensively about questions that matter. It is also a major that may be chosen as preparation for seminary and graduate study and church-oriented vocations.

Religion Track: 33 credit hours, 30 credit hours within the Religion Department offerings, including: Religion 110; Reli 261; one course from Tradition and Culture; one course from Text and Context; one course from Contemporary Issues; one additional course from either Tradition and Culture, Text and Context or Contemporary Issues; four courses from the Seminar and Thesis Courses. History 324 (The Reformation) is required as a supportive course.

Religion/Philosophy Track: 30 credit hours within the Religion and Philosophy Department offerings, including: Phil 110; Reli/Phil 200; Reli/Phil 24; Phil 220 and Phil 230; Reli/Phil 400; four courses to be selected (in consultation with the student’s advisor) from Reli/Phil 210, Reli 211, Reli 216, Reli 219, Reli 229, Reli 232, Reli 235, Reli 236, Reli 237, Reli/Phil 242, Reli/Phil 243, Religion 244, Phil 300, Reli/Phil 305, Reli/Phil 310, Religion 332, Phil 332.

Religion Minor: 18 credit hours within the department offerings, including Religion 110; Religion 261; one course from Tradition and Culture; one course from Text and Context; one course from Contemporary Issues; Religion 300.

The study of philosophy and religion offers a vital contribution to a humanistic education. Both fields deal with various ways in which human beings have tried tounderstand and give expression to the nature and meaning of reality, knowledge, the self, values, and the purpose of human life.

Course work in philosophy is planned to acquaint the student with the historical and systematic interrelations of the significant philosophic concepts in Western thought and to provide training in the techniques proper to the subject.

Stress is placed on philosophy as an activity, and the department aims to provide training sufficiently broad in scope and technical in procedure to equip the student with both a knowledge of important philosophical issues and the basis for developing an analytical judgment that is both critical and productive.

Coursework in religion explores the incredible diversity and pervasiveness of religious life, religious experience, and religious thought throughout human history. A variety of methodological approaches are employed to familiarize students with literary, historical, philosophical, phenomenological, and social-scientific forms of analysis.

Majoring in the Department of Philosophy and Religion provides excellent preparation for graduate study in philosophy or religious studies. Majors and minors in the department may also go on to a wide variety of careers in education, law, ministry, and business.

The role of religion is a main ingredient in every culture’s self-understanding, identity, and value system. Our undergraduate program investigates the contributions religion makes bto the community and the society to which it belongs. While the focus in many courses is upon Christianity, an exposure to other Western and non-Western religious traditions constitutes an integral part of the curriculum.

The B.A. in religious studies is for students who intend to work in Catholic schools, in parish religious education programs, or in various offices and ministries associated with either the local or diocesan church. The major also offers a solid foundation for graduate study.

The M.A. in theology program takes a faith perspective as well as an academic one and enriches its offerings with a selection of visiting professors from various parts of the country.

The curriculum fosters intensive study in various areas of scripture and theology. Graduates are prepared for both ministerial and educational careers within the faith tradition. The program affords a range of courses and resources that reflects an ecumenical, Catholic perspective. The certificate in theology is for students who do not seek an M.A., but intend to develop their skills in theology for their own teaching expertise or personal interest.

The discipline of religion investigates the religious dimension of human existence throughout history and across cultures. Courses in religion acquaint students with the world’s major religious traditions, texts, and figures. Students learn the many ways of studying religion and engage in critical discussion of diverse themes and issues. The small size of the religion program permits personal attention. The major in religion offers a high degree of flexibility, and individual interests are encouraged. A degree in religion equips students with the tools of a liberal education necessary for many careers. Religion graduates enter the world beyond college with a broad cultural awareness and an ability to engage in dialogue discerningly. They are trained to conduct research, to think critically, and to write and express ideas persuasively. Religion majors have pursued careers in such fields as public relations, journalism, teaching, library science, service organizations, business, and the arts. The B.A. in religion also prepares students for graduate school or seminary study in religion, as well as for graduate study in other fields such as law and social work.

Honors are awarded in religion on the basis of excellence in religion major course work and in writing a senior thesis in Religion 401 – Guided Research. Internships are available to qualified students. Various courses in other disciplines are accepted towards the religion major which allows students to have an interdisciplinary approach in the formation of their major. Various religion offerings also complement work in American studies, anthropology, classics, drama, English, history, international affairs, philosophy, and psychology, among other disciplines.

At Hope, the Biblical Studies major grounds students in the knowledge and interpretation of the Old and New Testaments and prepares them for a wide variety of career opportunities, including preaching and teaching in the local church. Hope Biblical Studies graduates also move on to careers that value the ability to analyze, contextualize, and interpret information, such as law, journalism, or secondary education.

This program also provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in religion and a possible career in academic teaching in the university or seminary setting. A Biblical Studies major will gain wide exposure to the variety of literature found in the Bible, informed by the best of critical scholarship and inspired by the desire to pursue research in service of Christ’s mission through the church.