Master of Arts in Religion Study the History and Intricacies of Religion
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 can help 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)
- 72-90 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.
Get the Tools You Need for Ministry Success – Included with Your Program
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.
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
Why Choose Liberty’s Online Master’s in Religion Degree?
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
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
Christian Apologetics
Church History
Church Ministry in the Digital Age
Community Chaplaincy
Discipleship and Church Ministry
Evangelism and Church Planting
Global and Intercultural Leadership
Homiletics
Leadership
Next Generation Ministry
Pastoral Counseling
Pastoral Ministries
Theology
Worship
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
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.
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) | $2,850 |
|---|---|
| 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.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Online MA in Religion Degree
Admission Requirements
Preliminary Acceptance
Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy
Transcript Policies
Admissions Office Contact Information
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 – $290 per credit hour for part-time graduate and postgraduate divinity courses
- Discounted divinity block rate – $2,575 per semester*
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder **
- 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, 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.
