Master of Arts in Religion (MA)
Master of Arts in Religion (MA)
This program educates and prepares the student for service in a teaching capacity. It can be used as a terminal degree for those who desire a theological background and training for various callings other than full-time, ordained gospel ministry. It can also be used as a transitional degree to additional graduate studies, particularly a PhD program in religion or theology.
Objectives
You will learn to:
- Exegete individual passages of Scripture accurately, employing their knowledge of the original languages, historical circumstances, and literary and theological relationships;
- Understand the major issues in faith and life that the church has confronted throughout its history, and the system of truth revealed in the Scriptures;
- Systematize exegetical, historical, and theological data into a consistent and coherent theology, and explain how that theology applies to personal beliefs and behavior; and
- Respond with discernment to contemporary trends in biblical interpretation and to contemporary and cultural movements.
Admission Requirements
To apply for study in the MA program, the applicant must ordinarily present the following application components:
- A completed online application form.
- Two letters of recommendation: an ecclesiastical letter of recommendation from the pastor or consistory (i.e., session or council) of the church of which the applicant is a member, and an academic letter of recommendation from a college professor under whose guidance the applicant has pursued studies.
- Official transcripts of all academic work beyond high school. If more than one college was attended, transcripts from each institution must be sent. MA applicants must have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree. If the bachelor’s program has not been completed at the time of application, a final transcript should be submitted before final admission can be granted. Applicants should have achieved a minimum average of 2.7 (B-) in college coursework.
- Application essay. All applicants must submit a short essay (250–500 words) explaining why they are applying to PRTS. The specific details for this essay can be found online when completing the general application form.
- Academic writing sample. All applicants must submit an academic writing sample. This sample may be a previously written paper, article, or essay that demonstrates proper citation methods and ability to construct, in English, a graduate-level paper.
- TOEFL or IELTS results. All ESL (English as a Second Language) students are required to submit their TOEFL or IELTS score. PRTS requires a minimum of 85 on the internet-based TOEFL. The IELTS equivalent required is 6.5. The PRTS reporting code is 0368.
- Application fee of $50. The application fee is non-refundable.
Each applicant:
- is subject to all the admission and registration regulations of the institution;
- is responsible to determine whether a current institution will accept credit earned at PRTS, if desired;
- must understand that falsification of any part of an application may result in cancellation of admission and/or registration at the institution;
- if transferring from another seminary, must include with the application form an official transcript of their current seminary work, syllabi of courses requesting to be transferred, and an academic catalog from that institution.
Residency Requirement
All coursework for the Master of Arts program may be completed through a combination of: 1) in-person residential course offerings, 2) online, asynchronous (distance education) course offerings, 3) transfer of credit, or 4) independent studies (a maximum of 15 credits can be taken as independent studies). There is no requirement for students in the MA program to take a certain amount of courses in-person.
Areas of Concentration
Students must choose one of four emphases for the MA program. In each case, the MA program provides a thorough grounding in the Scriptures, Reformed theology, and church history.
- Old Testament
- New Testament
- Historical Theology
- Systematic Theology
Tuition and Fees
- Application for admission (non-refundable): $50.00
- Enrollment deposit: $100.00 (applied to tuition)
- Tuition: $275.00 per credit
- Late registration fee: 5% of total semester tuition cost
- Distance Education fee: $75.00 per course that is taken from a distance
- Graduation fee: $75.00
MA Requirements and Time-frame for Completion
The MA program must be completed within five (5) years of matriculation; any exception must be approved by the president and academic dean.
The Master of Arts (Religion) program is earned after completion of a minimum of 65 credits of coursework (depending on the emphasis), including Greek and Hebrew. This allows dedicated students to complete the program in two years (assuming approximately 16 credits/semester), and then proceed to further education. A minimum grade point average of 2.7 (B-) is required. Should a student already possess knowledge of Greek and/or Hebrew, the number of credits may be reduced upon successful completion of a language placement exam.
The required courses for each emphasis are as follows:
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MA - Historical Theology Emphasis - 66 credits
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MA - New Testament Emphasis - 66 credits
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MA - Old Testament Emphasis - 65 credits
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MA - Systematic Theology Emphasis - 67 credits
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