Religion Degrees Online

Minor Program in Theology (24 semester hours)

Required Courses:THEO 101 Introduction to Theology 3
THEO 210 Introduction to New Testament 3
THEO 220 Church: Yesterday and Today 3
THEO 230 Christian Morality 3
THEO 260 Worship and Christian Life 3

Required/Specified Support Courses:PHIL 312 Philosophy of Religion 3
HIST 111 World Civilization to 1500 3
HIST 112 World Civilization since 1500 3

Minor Program in Philosophy (18 semester hours)
Students may select philosophy as a minor program. Many of the course offerings in philosophy are interdisciplinary in character, and students are encouraged to relate philosophical knowledge and skills to the area of their undergraduate major. Indeed, the minor program in philosophy is especially suited to students who bring a considerable degree of intellectual initiative and independence to their work.

Required courses:PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophical Thinking 3
PHIL 202 Philosophy of the Human Person 3
PHIL 312 Philosophy of Religion 3
Electives in Philosophy 9

Admission Requirements for the Master of Divinity
Applications for admission to the Master of Divinity program will not be considered complete until all of the following items are properly completed and submitted:

Application Form – This form should be completed in detail.

Application Fee – The applicant must submit an application fee. Information about the application fee is published in the application packet, on Amridge University’s website, and is available from the Admissions Office. This one-time fee is non-refundable.

· An earned Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from a regionally accredited institution. Advanced Bible Placement of 15 semester hours can be obtained if the student has completed an undergraduate major in religious studies. A student receiving Advanced Bible Placement would be required to take 75 semester hours to complete the degree option (assuming that no transferable graduate credits can be considered beyond the undergraduate degree). Then all 75 semester hours must be taken at Amridge University to qualify for graduation for those receiving 15 semester hours of Advanced Bible Placement. Note: If another accredited institution has given you Advanced Bible Placement applied toward a completed Master’s degree (e.g. MAR-nonthesis), then Amridge University will not re-apply these to our M.Div. degree.

Official Transcripts – Applicants must request an official academic transcript from each postsecondary institution previously attended to be sent directly to Amridge University. Transcript Request Forms are in the application packet and are also available on the University’s web site. No transcript is official unless it is sent from institution to institution and bears the seal of the institution where the work was completed.

If the applicant has not completed the last course(s) at another school for which he or she is registered at the time of filing his or her application with Amridge University, a partial transcript should be sent for evaluation. The final transcript showing courses completed and any degree earned is required before the end of the first semester after initial matriculation. No academic credit will be recorded on a student’s permanent record until all necessary credentials are received.

Language – One year of Greek or one year of Hebrew on the undergraduate level with a grade of “C” or above is required, or the student may take FD 6302 and FD 6303 Elementary Greek I and II OR FD 6306 and FD 6307 Elementary Hebrew I and II on the graduate level. A student who wishes to concentrate in the area of Old Testament text should enroll in the Hebrew language or in the Greek language for the New Testament text. These courses, if not taken on the undergraduate level, can be taken as elective courses in the Master of Divinity program.

Letters of Recommendation – Graduate applicants must submit letters of recommendation for graduate study from two persons not related to the applicant but who know the applicant well. Preferably recommendations should come from businesspersons, church elders, ministers, or professors.

Standardized Tests – Have submitted to the Amridge University Admissions Office an official copy of the results of the Graduate Record Exam General (GRE) Test or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) taken by the applicant. Applicants for whom English is a second language must provide documented evidence of English proficiency in one of two ways: (1) A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or (2) A score of at least 440 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for the paper version and 123 for the computer version.

Other national examinations normally accepted for admission to graduate programs of study will also be accepted. Applicants holding a doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution are not required to take these standardized tests.

At Schreiner, the study of religion is a “humanity,” and therefore understands itself to be open to and the beneficiary of other realms of knowledge described in the curriculum. It is expected that students who major in religion will take advantage of the 34 elective hours to explore a broad spectrum of courses that will enrich their lives and prepare them for occupations and vocations in a wide variety of human endeavors. In order to nurture Christian discipleship among Schreiner University students, to respond to students’ needs, to provide “whole-person” educational opportunities, and to encourage service to the Church, the Christian Vocations Intern Program (CVIP) has implemented an experiential, field-oriented, learning and serving program under the supervision of trained mentors and teachers. The CVIP is dedicated to providing the opportunity for students to integrate their faith and academic learning by using both in practical settings to prepare themselves to be Christian leaders throughout their lives and to consider the possibility of a call to service in the church. Students must take a minimum of 12 semester hours in the field of religion including Old and New Testament. In addition, a minimum of 6 semester hours in either education, psychology, or business are required in order to enroll in the internship course during the senior year. Students will be given individualized assistance in planning their course options during their time at Schreiner University. Extra-curricular opportunities will be offered to enhance the students’ study and growth towards a vocational choice.

PREREQUISITES
Eighteen approved upper-level hours in religious studies from a regionally-accredited institution. Hours lacking may be made up by leveling. Substitution and/or equivalency decisions for prerequisite courses or transfer of any graduate hours must receive the approval of the Program Director and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

In addition, a student pursuing an MA (Religion) with a concentration in Biblical Studies must possess a reading proficiency in Greek or Hebrew. This proficiency, which may be developed concurrently with graduate work, may be established by the satisfactory completion of 12 or more semester hours of undergraduate language credit or its equivalent.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A student will be assigned an advisory committee composed of three faculty members recommended by the Program Director and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The committee will monitor the student’s progress, direct and evaluate the thesis, and administer the comprehensive examination. One of the committee members will be designated as the thesis supervisor.

The Biblical Spirituality Certificate combines course work, Holy Land travel, seminars, and prayer, and centers on the Bible as the basis of Christian living and experience. The certificate requires 24 semester hours, including participating in a Biblical Spirituality and Travel program. You may choose the Fall Program or the Israel-Jordan Study Program.

Fulfill the remaining course hours with selections from courses offered by the Biblical Literature and Languages Department, or biblically-related courses of other departments.

This certificate offers an excellent opportunity to deepen your understanding of the Bible and develop your faith life. With it you will be well equipped to lead parish bible studies, assist in RCIA, offer biblical reflections, or simply relish the Word of God in your daily life.

The Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (M.A.P.S.) is a degree program designed to enhance the student’s ability to serve as a minister in the church. It is designed for those with some ministerial experience, those who wish to prepare for ministerial leadership in the church, and those who want to improve effectiveness in their current ministries. Within the M.A.P.S. degree program students may earn their degree with a ministry specialization or concentration in a specific area of interest.

Beginning in the summer of 2008, the M.A.P.S. degree program will introduce a distance learning format option. Through blended and online courses, this new learning option allows students to complete this degree program in as little as three years. The new distance learning design has minimal on-site requirements.

Each student’s background and experience is considered in creating a meaningful course of study that meets the objectives of the individual student. For example, students can focus their studies in one of the following concentrations: biblical studies, cross cultural ministries, Hispanic pastoral studies, liturgical studies, spirituality, or world mission.

The program combines theological study, a focus on developing pastoral skills, and the integration of these two areas.

The M.A.P.S. program consists of 48 semester hours. Students beginning the M.A.P.S. program may petition to receive advanced standing for previous work in foundational courses. If the petition is granted, the hours in those areas become elective. Non-credit ministerial training and years of ministry experience may qualify toward the Credit for Non-Credit Policy. The following are examples when credit hours for prior learning may be awarded:

• Completion of an Archdiocesan or Diocesan approved Lay Ministry Education/Formation Program (up to 9 semester credit hours)

• Completion of an Archdiocesan or Diocesan approved Permanent Diaconate Education/Formation Program (up to 12 semester credit hours)

• Sustained supervised ministerial experience (can be applied to the 2 hour ministry practicum)

CTU has met the standards for Association of Theological Schools accreditation making credit transferrable to other accredited professional schools of theology and ministry in North America.

Bible Certificate
One-year program
Includes a seven week summer session
15 semester hours of college credit
Applicable toward an associate degree
Preparatory education for students aspiring to become biblically literate

Required Courses:
Biblical Interpretation
An introduction to methods of Bible study and to the principles of biblical interpretation. The inductive method is emphasized

Old Testament I
The course emphasizes Genesis, Exodus, Joshua and 1-2 Kings. The important themes of creation, election, the exodus, conquest of Canaan and exile are studied. These themes are also traced to the New Testament.

New Testament I
This course is an introduction to the four Gospels and the person of Jesus Christ. It includes a historical survey of Gospels’ interpretation (source, form, redaction criticism) as well as more recent approaches such as narrative criticism. Moreover, this course aims at providing a framework for how to interpret the Gospels properly and consequently how to apply insights from Jesus (his personal example, teaching and theology) in one’s life and ministry.

Exploring the Christian Faith
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the Christian worldview as it is set forth by the Scriptures, interpreted by evangelical Christianity, and shown in its relationship to current world ideologies. The contribution of this Christian perspective to the student’s learning experiences is brought into focus.

Students who wish to minor in religion must successfully complete 12 semester hours of coursework, three of which must be at the upper-college level.

This program information has been taken from the 2008-2009 College of Arts & Sciences catalog. This information is subject to change and is updated with each academic year. Visit the Office of Records & Registration homepage to view catalogs from previous years.

To complete a major in religion, a student must take 27 semester hours in religion courses (at least 15 hours among upper-college courses), including RE 450 Senior Project in Religion.

Supporting Coursework
Eighteen semester hours of supporting courses are required in two or more of these subjects: English literature, world languages literature, history, philosophy, psychology or sociology.

Combined Major in Philosophy & Religion
Students may choose to study philosophy and religion as a combined departmental major. The requirements for this combined departmental major are 30 semester hours (10 courses) of coursework in the department, including either PH 495 Senior Project in Philosophy or RE 450 Senior Project in Religion. At least 12 semester hours (four courses) must be taken in each subject, philosophy and religion. Close consultation with the student’s departmental advisor is required.

Requirements for a Major in Religion:
In addition to the general education requirements, the following courses are required:

Semester Hours
REL 101, Introduction to Old Testament Literature  3
REL 102, Introduction to New Testament Literature 3
PHL 150, Introduction to Philosophy 3
REL 403, History of Christianity 3
REL 465, Senior Research Thesis 1
One advanced Old Testament course 3
One advanced New Testament course 3
One of the following  3
REL 201, Religions of the World
REL 260, Religion in America
REL 306, African-American Religions

One of the following: 3
PHL 210, Ethics
PHL 440, Philosophy of Religion
Religion or Philosophy electives at 300-400 level  9
Total 34

Exit Requirement
All Religion majors are required to enroll in REL 465, Senior Research Thesis, during their
senior year. The student will write a research project which may grow out of a research paper he/she has
already prepared. This project will be supervised by the appropriate professor and must receive a passing
grade from an outside reader. The length of the thesis will be between 40-50 pages exclusive of
bibliography.
Students must attain at least a 2.00 grade point average in the major in order to graduate.