---
title: Master of Arts in Religion | Southern Adventist University
description: Southern’s Master of Arts in Religion is designed to accommodate the schedule of a full-time pastor and prepare you for doctoral studies in religion.
---

# Master of Arts in Religion

 

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#### Quick Links

- [Program Overview](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/master-of-arts-religion#overview)
- [Admissions](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/master-of-arts-religion#admission)
- [Course Guides](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/master-of-arts-religion#resources)
- [Contact Us](https://adc.e.southern.edu/graduatestudies/master-of-arts-religion#rmi-form)

## Program Details

![A woman with curly hair and glasses is sitting on a yellow sofa, working on a laptop with a bookshelf and windows in the background.](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Pages%20Photo%20Bank/Religion%201.png?width=832&height=490&name=Religion%201.png)

The MA in Religion program is designed to accommodate the schedule of a full-time pastor and involves a combination of both online classes and summer intensives.  However, this program is also available to students with a bachelor's degree in any field.

- Online classes are primarily offered during the fall and winter semesters. The summer intensives are offered over one to two-weeks on campus during the summer, with prior reading, followed by a significant writing assignment.  
- Online classes are offered during the regular fall and winter semesters. The recommended load is two to three courses per year for those in full-time ministry and up to six classes every year for those in part-time work. Degrees can be completed in two to six years, depending on the course load. The MA degree requires either a thesis or a project as well as comprehensive exams.

### Tuition and \*Fees

**Southern Union Pastors:**  Pastors may be eligible to receive a tuition waiver by submitting a signed Conference Authorization Form each academic year (Summer, Fall, Winter) that they are enrolled for classes.

[Conference Authorization Form](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Page%20Assets/SOR.southern-union-conference-authorization.pdf)

**North American Division Pastors and Denominational Employees: ** Pastors in the North American Division Conferences and Denominational employees may be eligible for a reduced tuition rate of $175 per credit hour by submitting a signed Tuition Assistance Form each academic year (Summer, Fall, Winter) that they are enrolled for classes.

[Tuition Assistance Form](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Page%20Assets/SOR.non-southern-union-conference-authorization.pdf)

Tuition for non-pastors or any other student that is not a denominational employee: $400 per credit/hour.

**\*Fees: ***A $65 general fee per semester is charged to all degree-seeking graduate students. This fee covers computer software & technology, counseling services, and library services.*

 

![Reeves C with Shaw2](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Reeves%20C%20with%20Shaw2.jpg?width=1423&height=1629&name=Reeves%20C%20with%20Shaw2.jpg)

## Applying to Southern’s Master of Arts in Religion

![A young woman with long dark hair smiles at the camera, carrying books and a backpack, standing outdoors in a park-like area.](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Pages%20Photo%20Bank/Religion%203.png?width=832&height=490&name=Religion%203.png)

### Master of Arts in Religion Eligibility and Prerequisites

- **Bachelor’s Degree**: A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- **Religion courses**: A minimum of 12 semester hours in religion (waivers may be requested for some or all of this requirement, based on the applicant's full-time ministry experience).
- **GPA requirement**: A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25  OR  for an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 to 3.24, applicants may request to be admitted on a provisional basis. A formal academic paper to demonstrate academic competency may be required of the candidate.
- **Emphasis in Old Testament Studies or New Testament Studies**:  Applicants to either of these emphases must have six semester hours of credit in a biblical language with a minimum grade of C. Applicants to Old Testament Studies must have six semester hours of biblical Hebrew, and applicants to New Testament Studies must have six hours of biblical Greek. This may be counted as part of the required 12 hours in religion.

### Visit the [School of Religion's Graduate Catalog](https://www.southern.edu/catalog/graduate.html#/departments/2408)

### Application Deadlines

Applications can be accepted year-round. Due to the reading requirements for summer intensives, which must be completed in advance, students need to apply at least six weeks before the start of the summer semester to apply for a summer intensive. Online courses follow the university application deadlines. With School of Religion approval, students may take up to 6 hours of coursework on non-degree or provisional status.

Scroll Horizontally ->

#### Term

#### U.S. Residents

Summer

April 1

Fall

July 1

Winter

November 1

### How to Apply

Submit an application (with non-refundable fee of $40.)

 Transcripts

Submit official college and university transcripts. Many institutions subscribe to the convenient transcript-request service at [National Student Clearinghouse](https://secure.studentclearinghouse.org/tsorder/faces/TOBridge), or you may also contact your institution directly. Have your transcripts sent to the Graduate and Professional Studies office (gradtranscripts@southern.edu). If you earned your prerequisite degree at Southern, you do not need to complete this step.

All non-U.S. transcripts must be submitted through one of the following approved credential evaluation agencies:

- SpanTran: [use this link to send to Southern](https://spanside.my.salesforce-sites.com/SpantranApplication?Id=da67da53-9913-41a1-8fcf-229586fdf785)
- Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc (ECE): [www.ece.org](http://www.ece.org/)
- World Education Services: [www.wes.org](http://www.wes.org/)

Evaluations are to be sent directly to Southern Graduate Studies, by the service. All evaluation reports are considered to be advisory. Southern reserves the right to make final equivalency decisions.

 Recommendations

Submit two recommendation forms (completed by work supervisors or professors). One of these recommendations is to be from your employing conference, if employed by the Seventh-day Adventist Denomination. This should be done as part of the online application process. If you are employed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, one recommendation must be from a superior in the organization.

 Service Record

Submit a denominational service record (usually available from your SDA employer), if applicable, OR the Record of Service form. [Download form](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Page%20Assets/SOR.record-of-service.pdf)

 Statement of Purpose

Candidates are to submit a written "Statement of Purpose through the [Application Status Page](https://gradadmissions.e.southern.edu/account/login?r=https%3a%2f%2fgradadmissions.e.southern.edu%2fapply%2fstatus&cookie=1) following the guidelines provided by the School of Religion. [Download PDF.](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Page%20Assets/SOR.statement-guidelines.pdf)

 International Students

The MA in Religion and MMin degrees don't offer enough year-round, in-person classes to qualify international students for an F1 student visa.

All non-U.S. transcripts must be submitted through one of the following approved credential evaluation agencies:

- SpanTran: [use this link to send to Southern](https://spanside.my.salesforce-sites.com/SpantranApplication?Id=da67da53-9913-41a1-8fcf-229586fdf785)
- Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc (ECE): [www.ece.org](http://www.ece.org/)
- World Education Services: [www.wes.org](http://www.wes.org/)

Evaluations are to be sent directly to Southern Graduate Studies, by the service. All evaluation reports are considered to be advisory. Southern reserves the right to make final equivalency decisions.

## Learn More About Southern’s Graduate Program Experience

Check out the Graduate Studies [blog](https://learn.e.southern.edu/en-us/gs/blog/tag/nursing?__hstc=57918837.28672951d504203ef2f3489740c29cfd.1631629261786.1650468117232.1650569274927.179&__hssc=57918837.24.1650569274927&__hsfp=1688644645&hsLang=en) to learn more about our programs and being a graduate student at Southern Adventist University.

## Resources for Getting Your Master of Arts in Religion

## Master of Arts Religion

Choose your area of interest.

- New Testament Studies
- Old Testament Studies
- Theological Studies

## M.A. Religion Course Guide

### New Testament Studies Emphasis

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Religion/2025.MAR-NewTestament.pdf?hsLang=en)

![2025.MAR-NewTestament](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Religion/2025.MAR-NewTestament.png)

## M.A. Religion Course Guide

### Old Testament Studies Emphasis

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Religion/2025.MAR-OldTestament.pdf?hsLang=en)

![2025.MAR-OldTestament](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Religion/2025.MAR-OldTestament.png)

## M.A. Religion Course Guide

### Theological Studies Emphasis

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Religion/2025.MAR-Theological.pdf?hsLang=en)

![2025.MAR-Theological](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Religion/2025.MAR-Theological.png)

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