Master of Arts in Religion
The Master of Arts in Religion program is an academic degree designed to combine a foundational theological education with sufficient flexibility to allow students to pursue particular interests. It may be the highest degree a student plans to pursue, and so be used for personal enrichment or appropriate vocational training; one may also pursue the MAR as a transitional degree in preparation for further advanced studies.
Students who enroll in the MAR are seeking formation in the life of Christian theological scholarship. The program regularly attracts students from a wide variety of religious backgrounds, and these students work together throughout their time here as they develop research plans. Each student works with a common program advisor in the initial stages of her or his studies, and then is assigned to a field-specific faculty member in their second semester. All MAR students are invited, though not required, to participate in chapel worship and other community events on campus.
The curriculum at Seminary of the Southwest follows a path focused on three areas of formation: being, knowing, and doing. The seminary’s foundational attention to academic excellence (knowing) is complemented by attention to character (being) and skill (doing). Each program seeks to produce well-rounded, thoughtful graduates who have become not only competent in a field of study but wise and charitable in its practice.
Graduates of the Master of Arts in Religion program at Seminary of the Southwest will display integral formation in these three areas:
- Being: Exhibit the scholarly disciplines that accompany and support a curious and charitable intellect;
- Knowing: Acquire foundational knowledge of the content and methods of biblical studies, church history, theology, and Christian ethics;
- Doing: Demonstrate skills for sharing theological knowledge and engaging in theological argument in both written and oral form.
The MAR requires 51 credits. The degree may be completed in two years of full-time study or up to five years of part-time study. MAR students are invited, but not required, to participate in all aspects of community life at the seminary. They may take courses from the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care and Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation sequences. Students may also take advantage of offerings from the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and the Austin Graduate School of Theology.
We offer two tracks for Master of Arts in Religion students: a general studies track and a concentration track. Students may take a concentration in one of the following subjects: Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Ethics, Theology, Hispanic Church Studies, or Liturgics.
All students complete a thesis or comprehensive exams as part of the degree requirements.
Course Requirements for the Concentration Studies Track – Thesis Option
Biblical Studies…………………………………………………..6 credits
Historical Studies…………………………………………………6 credits
Theological Studies……………………………………………….6 credits *
Theological Ethics Studies………………………………….6 credits
MAR Research & Writing Course………………………..3 credits
Area of concentration……………………………………… 12 credits
(including distribution credits)
Thesis………………………………………………………………6 credits
(includes 1 semester of preparation and
1 semester of writing)
Electives……………………………………………………………..6 credits
Course Requirements for the General Studies Track – Thesis Option
Biblical Studies……………………………………………………6 credits
Historical Studies………………………………………………..6 credits
Theological Studies……………………………………………..6 credits *
Theological Ethics Studies……………………………………6 credits
MAR Research & Writing Course………………………… 3 credits
Thesis………………………………………………………………..6 credits
(includes 1 semester of preparation and
1 semester of writing)
Electives……………………………………………………………18 credits
Course Requirements for the Concentration Studies Track – Comprehensive Exams Option
Biblical Studies……………………………………………………6 credits
Historical Studies………………………………………………..6 credits
Theological Studies……………………………………………..6 credits *
Theological Ethics Studies……………………………………6 credits
MAR Research & Writing Course………………………….3 credits
Area of concentration……………………………………….. 12 credits
(including distribution credits)
Comprehensive Exams …………………………………….. 3 credits
Electives………………………………………………………….. 9 credits
Course Requirements for the General Studies Track – Comprehensive Exams Option
Biblical Studies……………………………………………………… 6 credits
Historical Studies………………………………………………….. 6 credits
Theological Studies……………………………………………….. 6 credits *
Theological Ethics Studies……………………………………… 6 credits
MAR Research & Writing Course……………………………. 3 credits
Comprehensive Exams ………………………………………….. 3 credits
Electives………………………………………………………………. 21 credits
*Liturgy 1 may be counted as three hours of theology credit
Degree Requirements:
1. Complete satisfactorily 51 credits of required and elective courses within two years of study (five years for part-time study.
2. All students must complete a thesis or comprehensive exam.
3. Each candidate must fully discharge all financial obligations to the seminary.
