Master of Arts in Religion Study the History and Intricacies of Religion
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Degree Options
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Serve Christ in Ministry With an Online Master’s in Religion Degree (MAR)
Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) degree is designed to prepare students entering ministry with an in-depth but practical study of theology, biblical studies, and ministry practice. An online MAR will better equip you to minister in your current and future roles.
Students in Liberty’s MAR program can more effectively pursue ministry in churches, parachurch organizations, and nonprofits while opening the door to further study at the graduate and doctoral levels. You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a program that provides a flexible degree plan tailored to your passions and needs.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Arts in Religion (MAR).
Accreditation
Liberty Theological Seminary, as part of Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Your seminary degree is approved by ATS and has met rigorous accreditation standards, so you can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.
Master of Arts in Religion vs Master of Divinity
Master of Arts in Religion (MAR)
- 60 credit hours
- Required specialization
- Fulfills most ministry role requirements
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
- 75-93 credit hours
- Optional specialization or personalized electives
- Fulfills nearly all ministry role requirements
While these two programs do have some differences, they are both based on Christian evangelical theology. Either program can provide you with an advanced credential to get started in ministry or advance your knowledge and career options.
Plus, if you decide to pursue your MAR at Liberty, later you can potentially transfer up to 2/3 of your credits to a related M.Div.
What Will You Study in Our Online Master’s in Religious Studies?
Liberty University’s online master’s degree in religion contains extensive, well-rounded training in ministry, administration of Christian organizations, theology, and biblical studies. The core of the online master’s in religion provides in-depth religious studies of the Old and New Testaments, the history of Christianity, systematic theology, and the sermon preparation process.
Students who pursue a Master of Arts in Religion can also become prepared for an academic-focused career in writing and research. This can lead to further graduate studies through the Master of Divinity (MDiv) or a doctoral program such as the online Doctor of Ministry (DMin). The online MAR is a well-balanced, thorough blend of academic and practical studies that will suit students pursuing active ministry as well as academic careers.
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity.
- View the Graduate Divinity Course Guides (login required).
Why Choose Liberty’s Online Master’s in Religion Degree?
Pursuing an advanced degree in religion can be a difficult task with years of coursework to fit into your busy schedule. As an accredited online Christian college, Liberty University’s master’s in religious studies online holds weight as a graduate program credential. Our divinity programs provide a 100% online path to ministry training from a regionally accredited university.
The online master’s degree in religious studies can equip you for ministry in a variety of fields. Through this program, you will dive deep into the Bible and learn to prepare sermons on important messages for your congregation or small group. You will deepen your personal theology studies through curriculum developed by Liberty University School of Divinity theologians such as Dr. Elmer L. Towns and Dr. Gary R. Habermas.
Our master’s degree in theology and religious studies can prepare you for successful ministry teaching and help you deepen your relationship with Christ.
Potential Career Options for MAR Graduates
- Associate pastor
- Bible instructor
- Campus pastor
- Chaplain
- Christian camp leader
- Christian educator
- Church administrator
- Communications liaison
- Cross-cultural educator
- Digital ministry leader
- Global mobilizer
- Humanitarian aid/relief worker
- Lay leader
- Ministry associate
- Missionary
- Non-licensed church counselor
- Nonprofit manager
- Pastor
- Worship leader
- Youth pastor
Degree Options for Our Master of Arts in Religion Program
We offer a variety of specializations for our graduate religion program:
Biblical Studies
Learn about historical and theological contexts of individual books of the bible with our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Biblical Studies degree. This program can prepare you for roles in church and ministry settings. The knowledge you’ll gain in this program can help you teach biblical concepts to others with integrity.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Christian Apologetics
Address the questions raised by believers and nonbelievers alike. You can learn to defend the validity of God’s Word by earning a Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Christian Apologetics. This degree can prepare you to work in a variety of ministry and outreach settings.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Church History
Our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Church History can provide you with an in-depth look at the formation of the Christian church. Understanding the church’s beginnings can help you establish an effective ministry. You will deepen your knowledge of Scripture and learn about church history dating back to the Reformation.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Church Ministry in the Digital Age
Our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Church Ministry in the Digital Age can provide you with a study of spiritual formation. Throughout this program, you will compose a discipleship ministry strategy for Christian ministry, develop a plan for personal growth and development, and learn how to better defend the Christian faith in light of the digital age.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Community Chaplaincy
Learn to use chaplaincy to provide pastoral care and biblical guidance with our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Community Chaplaincy. You can learn techniques to counsel individuals in the U.S. military, parachurch ministries, businesses, and nursing homes.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Discipleship and Church Ministry
Learn to form biblical relationships and minister to others with our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Discipleship and Church Ministry. Throughout this program, you can learn family discipleship dynamics, how to build effective small group ministries, and what a properly structured church administration looks like.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Evangelism and Church Planting
Our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Evangelism and Church Planting degree can help you effectively serve in administrative and ministry capacities as your church grows. You will explore spiritual factors that contribute to church growth, evangelism practices, and church planting methods.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Global Studies
Enhance your knowledge and grow your passion to serve the worldwide church with our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Global Studies. You will receive a foundation in culture studies, ministry and worship techniques, and an intensive study of Scripture.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Homiletics
Learn to write and preach sermons as well as minister to others with our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Homiletics. You will gain a broad foundation in the fundamentals of Christianity that will enable you to build your ministry.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Leadership
If you are interested in leadership positions in church or parachurch organizations, then our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Leadership is for you. This program can help you gain an understanding of the fundamentals of church administration and ministry. Your courses will challenge you to lead effectively.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
NextGen Ministry
Learn to work with children and young people in a ministry setting through our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – NextGen Ministry cognate. You can be an example of an intentional ministry leader for children, adolescents, and their families. With the skills gained in this program, you can create more effective and fruitful ministries for decades to come.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Pastoral Counseling
Our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Pastoral Counseling can give you a foundation in the psychological theories and techniques vital to providing godly counsel. You can learn about the integration of psychology with theology, premarital and marital therapy, and spirituality in counseling.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Pastoral Ministries
Gain the skills needed for effective leadership within the Church by earning our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Pastoral Ministries degree. Your courses will focus on techniques integral in understanding prayer and ministry environments.
View Degree Completion Plan.
Theology
Enhance your understanding of ministry, leadership, and your spiritual life by earning our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Theology. This is a comprehensive degree essential for gaining an in-depth understanding of Scripture and biblical truths.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Worship
Earning our Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) — Worship can help you serve the Church as a skilled, passionate leader of worship. You will gain an understanding of ministry through worship and effective techniques to excel as a worship leader.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for many divinity courses* all for one convenient fee.
*Electronic textbooks are not provided for PACO courses or courses that fall under departments outside the School of Divinity.
Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours) | $2,750 |
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Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (0-8.99 or over 15 credit hours) | $395/Credit |
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours) | $2,475 |
Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (0-8.99 or over 15 credit hours) | $275/Credit |
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Online MA in Religion Degree
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Admission to this program also requires:
- The School of Divinity Questionnaire (login required).
- Submission of contact information (login required) for 1 pastoral recommender.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
- If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.
Dual Enrollment
Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Transcript Policies
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for part-time graduate and postgraduate divinity courses
- Discounted divinity block rate – $2,475 per semester*
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)**
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Credits taken below 9 and above 15 credit hours per semester are charged at the part-time rate.
**Not applicable to certificates.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of Liberty’s master’s in religion degree online?
- Unlike many other online Bible colleges or online seminaries, Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
- Online divinity students can complete Institutional Challenge Exams (ICE) to get college credit for personal studies and expertise in ministry.
- Students who pursue the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) are permitted to transfer up to 2/3 of applicable credit hours from the online Master of Arts in Religion (MAR).
How do I choose a specialization?
You should choose a specialized online ministry degree track that aligns with your interests and career goals as the program will provide knowledge-based studies or practice-focused skills.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Will You Study?
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Potential Careers
- Specializations
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
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