This page is part of the seminary catalog
Master of Arts in Religion
The Master of Arts in Religion program is designed for students who choose in their seminary experience to prioritize academic preparation in the theological disciplines over professional preparation for ministry. The emphasis in the Master of Arts in Religion program is on the mastery of a particular field of theological knowledge and the development of research and reflective skills associated with that field. The clearest expression of this emphasis is the requirement that the student complete a thesis as the capstone of the program. Students who identify one of the following goals as fitting the primary purpose for their seminary studies are most likely to benefit from the MAR program: training for teaching or writing, preparation for further graduate/doctoral studies, or integration of theoretical underpinnings for practical ministry. Students preparing for ministry in congregations or church agencies are generally encouraged to consider the Master of Divinity or the Master of Arts in Church Leadership.
The MAR is normally a two-year program requiring the completion of 60 semester hours of work. The total number of hours required for the degree may be adjusted to anywhere between 45-60 semester hours for a student who has had some advanced theological study or extensive undergraduate studies in religion prior to acceptance into the program. In the case of undergraduate studies, only courses at the junior and senior levels (300's and 400's) will be applicable toward reduction of requirements, and then at the ratio of four undergraduate credits being equivalent to three hours of graduate credit. In the case where a student has already completed another post-baccalaureate degree in theology, the required hours may be reduced to as few as 30 semester hours if there is sufficient overlap in course content. Students will receive resourcing in writing and research skills early in their seminary studies, during the Christian Tradition I course.
Each student's program of study consists of both a core taken by all students (a total of 27 hours) and a concentration tailored to the interests of the individual student (a total of 26 hours, including the thesis). Students may design concentrations within the classical disciplines of the seminary curriculum or craft interdisciplinary approaches. Interdisciplinary programs of study may draw from the various programs of the seminary as well as the university's other graduate programs. In addition to the core courses and the concentration, there are 7 hours of electives. A minimum of 30 hours shall be taken in residency. (See residency requirements)
The student must follow a careful process of academic advising and program approval in this program. The MAR Director remains the student's advisor throughout the program, assisting the student in identifying a program focus and in course selection. Generally, in the third semester of study the student prepares a thesis proposal which is submitted to the Academic Committee for approval. This committee also appoints a thesis advisor who guides the student through the writing process. The thesis project culminates in an oral defense before an examining committee. The various procedures toward the Master of Arts in Religion are outlined in an MAR program manual.
Course Outline
| Junior Year | |
| Formation in Personhood I (1 SH) | Formation in Personhood II (1 SH) |
| Christian Tradition I (4 SH) | Christian Tradition II (3 SH) |
| Old Testament: Text in Context (3 SH) | New Testament: Text in Context (3 SH) |
| Concentration (4 SH) | Concentration (5 SH) |
| Church Ministries elective (3 SH) | Biblical Studies elective (3 SH) |
| TOTAL 15 SH | TOTAL 15 SH |
| Senior Year | |
| Social Context of Theology (3 SH) | Anabaptist-Mennonite Studies (3 SH)* |
| Concentration (6 SH) | Concentration (5 SH) |
| Thesis (2 SH) | Thesis (4 SH) |
| Electives (4 SH) | Electives (3 SH) |
| TOTAL 15 SH | TOTAL 15 SH |
General Requirements: 27
Concentration: 20
Thesis: 6
Electives: 7
