It is desirable that students seeking to enroll in the master’s program should have completed at least six undergraduate courses in theology or religious studies.  Since few undergraduates major in these fields, the department offers introductory courses in biblical studies (RL 400) and systematic theology (RL 430) to acquaint students with the basic themes and methods in these areas.  RL 400 and 430 are prerequisites for other courses in those areas; they may be waived for students who have taken similar courses at other institutions.  In their first month of study, graduate students will meet with the chair of the RL Graduate Committee for an orientation to library resources and information about steps necessary to complete the M.A. degree.

General Degree Requirements

1. 30 graduate semester hours of study
2. RL 400, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (taught each fall); RL 430, Introduction to Systematic Theology (taught each spring); One course in Religious Ethics
3. At least 15 semester hours of 500-level courses
4. A comprehensive examination
5. For students in Plan A (see page 11);
   1. Successful completion of a foreign language examination demonstrating a reading knowledge of a classical or modern language consistent with the student’s plan of study
   2. Completion of a master’s thesis (RL 599), for six semester hours of course credit
6. For students in Plan B (see Page 11):  the completion of a research essay

Note:  Students accepted under the requirements for the Master of Arts in Religious Studies listed in previous Graduate School bulletins normally should fulfill those requirements, but they may petition for permission to follow the requirements introduced in this Bulletin instead.