Coordinator:
Dr. Eddie Stepp
Overview
A 36-semester-hour program including an 18-hour common core in the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy; a student-selected concentration of 12 hours within the department in Biblical Studies/Languages concentration OR in the School of Psychology and Counseling, School of Education, English department or School of Divinity; a student-selected track of 6 hours in research (requires writing a thesis), OR teaching (requires a pedagogy course and internship in university teaching).
Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of the degree is the academic study of religion in order to prepare students for one or more of the following: (1) Ph.D. entrance requirements; (2) college teaching on the freshman and sophomore levels; (3) teaching in private schools.
Admission Requirements
Students may enter at the beginning of any semester or summer term. To apply for initial admission to graduate study, the applicant should hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning with a minimum 2.75 grade point average and:
- Submit an application.
- Arrange for an official transcript of all previous academic work beyond high school to be sent directly from each institution attended. The Privacy Act requires that each student request in writing that transcripts be released to the Graduate School Office.
- Arrange for submission of scores on Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
- Submit three professional references on Gardner-Webb Graduate School reference forms.
- Have a major in religious studies or the equivalent.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the biblical languages (normally this proficiency will be achieved through three semesters of Greek and three semesters of Hebrew with a ”C” or better in all language courses).
- Submit a writing sample of a documented research paper of 2000 words or more on any subject within the field of Religious Studies (contact the Program Coordinator if you have questions about the subject of your paper.) The paper must be submitted in Turabian format. This paper can be something the applicant has written previously for an academic assignment. The sample must be submitted as a hard copy and electronically in Microsoft Word format, either by email or on a disc.
- Interview with a faculty committee to determine academic preparation and vocational appropriateness of the degree for the prospective student (those desiring work in pastoral ministry should seek the Master of Divinity rather than the M.A. in Religion).
Students lacking the appropriate undergraduate background or language proficiency may be admitted provisionally until prerequisites are met through the completion of a prescribed program.
Students are notified of their admission status as soon as possible after the admissions process is complete. Because of the confidential nature of some items required for admission, the University reserves the right to reject any applicant without stating a reason.
Special Admission: A non-degree seeker who wishes to take courses for professional or career enhancement may be admitted to take a maximum of six semester hours as a special student. These hours may later be applied toward a Master of Arts degree at Gardner-Webb.
Course Requirements 36 semester hours
Common Core 18 hours
| Research Seminar |
3 hours |
| Biblical Studies Seminar |
3 hours |
| Theological Studies Seminar |
3 hours |
| World Religions Seminar |
3 hours |
| Religion and Literature Seminar |
3 hours |
| One of the following three: |
3 hours |
- Philosophy of Religion Seminar
- Psychology of Religion Seminar
- Historical Studies Seminar
|
| Research Track |
OR
|
Teaching Track |
| Thesis 6 hours |
|
Religious Instruction Seminar |
3 hours |
| |
|
Teaching Internship |
3 hours |
Concentrations
12 hours of Biblical Studies/Languages Concentration within the Department
| Advanced Hebrew Exegesis Seminar |
3 hours |
| Advanced Greek Exegesis Seminar |
3 hours |
| Old Testament Seminar |
3 hours |
| New Testament Seminar |
3 hours |
OR
12 hours Out-of-Department
Concentration in one or more of these outside areas: School of Divinity, School of Education, School of Psychology and Counseling, and/or the Department of English Language and Literature, based upon the student’s vocational interests—with approval from the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy and permission of the appropriate school/department, in keeping with all established requirements of area. Length of Program. The program can be completed in two calendar years. Classes are scheduled on late afternoons and early evenings. Students may pursue the program on a part-time basis.
| RELI |
600 |
Research Seminar |
3 hours |
| RELI |
605 |
Biblical Studies Seminar |
3 hours |
| RELI |
610 |
Advanced Hebrew Exegesis Seminar |
3 hours |
| RELI |
615 |
Old Testament Seminar |
3 hours |
| RELI |
620 |
Advanced Greek Exegesis Seminar |
3 hours |
| RELI |
625 |
New Testament Seminar |
3 hours |
| RELI |
630 |
Historical Studies Seminar |
3 hours |
| RELI |
640 |
Theological Studies Seminar |
3 hours |
| RELI |
650 |
Philosophy of Religion Seminar |
3 hours |
| RELI |
660 |
World Religions Seminar |
3 hours |
| RELI |
670 |
Psychology of Religion Seminar |
3 hours |
| RELI |
680 |
Literature and Religion |
3 hours |
| RELI |
685 |
Religious Instruction Seminar |
3 hours |
| RELI |
690 |
Graduate Internship |
3 hours |
| RELI |
695 |
Thesis |
3 hours |
In order to graduate, all students must pass written comprehensive examinations on the core.
Students on the thesis track must conduct a successful oral defense of their thesis.
Students on the teaching track must conduct a successful written or oral defense of their internship.
Exit Criteria
