Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) – Homiletics Learn Effective Preaching
60
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026
Do you love the Word of God and sharing biblical principles with others? Homiletics may be the field for you. But how do you define homiletics? It is the research, preparation, and writing that goes into delivering a powerful sermon.
If you feel like this is your calling and want to learn the art of effective preaching, then Liberty University has the program for you. Our Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) – Homiletics can help prepare you with an in-depth, practical education in theology, biblical studies, and ministry training. We understand that flexibility is important, so this program is 100% online. You can earn your degree while working and serving your church.
Whether you want to start your ministry career now or work toward further education, a M.A.R. from Liberty is the answer. This degree can help you in church leadership, parachurch administration, and nonprofit roles. Plus, this program can help prepare you for a Master of Divinity or doctoral degree if you decide you want to expand your knowledge later on.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) – Homiletics.
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.

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As an accredited online Christian college, Liberty University’s online ministry degrees make pursuing your education easier with the flexibility of a 100% online format. Our online seminary programs can help equip you for ministry in a variety of fields. The homiletics area of study provides detailed and in-depth teaching for students who want to become more effective teachers and preachers of God’s Word.
The core content of the online Master of Arts in Religion provides advanced techniques for preaching and sermon writing. Students in the homiletics track will also benefit from studying the best preachers and writers in Christian history.
As a student at Liberty University, you get access to the Logos Bible app at no extra cost. If you’re in a Rawlings School of Divinity program, you receive a Logos Max subscription – unlocking a robust library of biblical and theological resources while you study.
The majority of our Liberty Theological Seminary master’s programs even integrate Logos into your courses, teaching you how to use it effectively and giving you additional resources and training to help you dig deeper into Scripture and prepare for ministry.

Our Master of Arts in Religion contains extensive, well-rounded training in ministry, administration of Christian organizations, theology studies, and biblical studies. The core of the online master’s in religion will cover the Old and New Testament, the history of Christianity, systematic theology, and the research, writing, and sermon preparation process.
The online Master of Arts in Religion’s core content will focus on researching and writing sermons as well as practical ministry, theology, and biblical studies. You will also receive advanced training in specific topics in sermon writing as part of the homiletics specialization. After completing your Old and New Testament courses, you will understand how to take the overall themes in the Bible and turn them into timely and relevant teaching for your congregation.
You will also build on your research, writing, and ministry preparation techniques to develop your expository preaching skills. These skills can help you educate your congregation on important biblical teachings. Additionally, you can learn to create persuasive Gospel sermons to help you reach others for Christ.
Graduates of our seminary’s online Master of Arts in Religion can be prepared to tackle challenges in active, full-time ministry with churches and parachurch organizations. Here are some of the positions that you may qualify for upon graduation:
Degree Completion Plan
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
| Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours) | $2,850 |
|---|---|
| Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (1-8.99 or over 15 credit hours) | $410/Credit |
| Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Block Rate (9-15 credit hours) | $2,575 |
| Military Grad & Postgrad Divinity Part Time (1-8.99 or over 15 credit hours) | $290/Credit |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
Please see the Online Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
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:
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.
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Who May Qualify?
Available Benefits:
*Credits taken below 9 and above 15 credit hours per semester are charged at the part-time rate.
**Not applicable to certificates, postgraduate, or doctoral programs.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
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.
*Credits taken below 9 and above 15 credit hours for the Master of Arts in Religion online are charged at the part-time rate.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.