Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) – Theology Empower Your Biblical Knowledge
60
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Study Scripture and Prepare for Ministry with Liberty’s Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Theology
Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) – Theology is designed to equip ministry students with an in-depth, practical knowledge of theology, biblical studies, and Christian ministry practice.
While completing the online Master of Arts in Religion, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a program that allows you to tailor your online master’s degree to your own passions and needs. Students who complete an online theological studies program like Liberty’s Master of Arts in Religion can become prepared to pursue a ministry career in churches, parachurches, and nonprofit organizations while also preparing for postgraduate and doctoral studies.
Students who complete this graduate-level online religion degree with a theology specialization will receive a thorough Christian education that explores the works of history’s greatest theologians in addition to core courses in religious studies. By pursuing the theology area of study, you can gain an even greater understanding of the Bible’s underlying themes and interwoven messages. This area of study’s 4 specialized theology classes can help prepare students for church ministry and evangelism opportunities.
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.
Why Choose Liberty’s Online MAR in Theological Studies?
As an accredited Christian university, Liberty’s online ministry degrees make pursuing your education easier with the flexibility of a 100% online format while holding weight as a master’s degree credential. Liberty University’s online seminary programs, such as the online master’s in religion, will give you an accredited college degree that can help equip you for ministry in a variety of fields.
While students in any specialization of Liberty University’s online Master of Arts in Religion receive foundational instruction in the fundamentals of the Bible, Christianity, and Christian theology, students who complete the area of study in theology can pursue specialized study in advanced theological topics to enhance their writing and ministry teaching. The theology area of study for the online Master of Arts in Religion is designed for students who are fascinated by the deep, interwoven messages and themes of the Bible and enjoy the in-depth academic study of Scripture.
What Will You Study in Liberty’s Master’s in Theology Online?
Liberty University’s online Master of Arts in Religion offers extensive, well-rounded training in ministry and the administration of Christian organizations. This program also covers biblical and theological studies.
Additionally, the online master’s in religion provides in-depth study of both the Old and New Testaments, Christian church history, systematic theology, and the process of researching, writing, and preparing a sermon.
The online theology area of study provides an additional, advanced study of many important topics for theologians and Christian scholars. After completing core content courses in systematic theology, students in the theology specialization dive deep into challenging concepts such as ecclesiology, the biblical church organization, and the doctrine of God.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Associate pastor
- Church education administrator
- K-12 religion teacher
- Lay ministry leader
- Missionary
- Religion adjunct teacher
- Teaching pastor
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity.
- View the online Graduate Divinity Course Guides (login required).
Degree Completion Plan (PDF)
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 |
---|---|
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 |
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Requirements for Our Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) – Theology 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.*Please note: the M.A. in Christian Apologetics requires a 2.5 GPA for admission in good standing.
- 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
- 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
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
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 service 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the study of theology?
Theology is the study of God and how He relates to His creation.
Is Liberty accredited?
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.
What are the benefits of Liberty’s online seminary degrees?
- Unlike many online bible colleges or online seminaries, Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
- Liberty University online seminary students can complete Institutional Challenge Exams (ICE) to get college credit for personal studies and expertise in ministry, subject to transfer limitations.
- Liberty’s online degrees of divinity through the online seminary have a Liberty’s online seminary offers divinity degrees at a graduate tuition rate of just $395 per credit hour for part-time students.
- Online seminary block rate: students in 9 to 15 credit hours per semester are eligible for a block rate of $2,750 per semester!*
*Credits taken above 15 credit hours for the Master of Divinity online are charged at the part-time rate.
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