MARS Student Financial Assistance Tuition-reduction and financial assistance programs specifically for Religious Studies students are available. Refer to the section on Financial Assistance or contact either the Financial Assistance Office or the Director of the Religious Studies Graduate Program. In addition to the goals of personal enrichment, this program has proven particularly beneficial in the professional advancement of educators, writers, spiritual directors and directors of religious education. It also offers a strong foundation for students contemplating further study toward a doctoral degree or the ministry. All MARS candidates must complete a total of 33 credit hours of graduate course work with a minimum QPR of 3.0.
Students have the option of choosing between two courses of study.
General Track - A general study of the four areas defined above. Requirements include a distribution of credits as approved by the Religious Studies faculty. Concentration Track - A student concentrates in one of the four study areas while still having representation from at least two of the other areas. The student is required to take 15 credits from the area of concentration. The Phenomenology of Religion is a required course unless the faculty, in reviewing the student's background, decides to waive this requirement.