Master of Religious Studies Degree Requirements

PREREQUISITE/PROFICIENCY SUMMARY

Graduate work in Religious Studies builds on prerequisites or proficiencies in the following areas:

• Hebrew Scriptures
• Christian Scriptures
• World Religions
• History of Christianity
• Ethics or Morality

A student may demonstrate proficiency by:

• Completing prerequisite courses at the undergraduate level at Edgewood College or elsewhere,
• Passing the proficiency examinations administered by the department in each area.*

* Students may choose to prepare for proficiency exams by auditing a course and/or using the reading lists and study guides provided by the department.

Each student completes a minimum of 36 credits to complete the Master of Arts in Religious Studies. Courses may not be audited. The curriculum includes:

CORE COURSES
(18 credits; 6 courses)

• RS 610 Trends in Ministry
• RS 615 Religious Traditions in the Modern World
• RS 620 Advanced Hebrew Scriptures: Messianism
• RS 630 Advanced Christian Scriptures: Moral Vision of the New Testament
• RS 640 Development of Religious Life and Thought
• RS 650 Sources of Moral Decision-Making in an Ecumenical World

INTERDISCIPLINARY COMPONENT
(6 credits; 2 courses or equivalents)

• IC 800 Ethics
• IC 850 Studies in Change

ELECTIVE COURSES
Students choose a sequence of courses according to personal and professional goals. Opportunities for learning are individual, personal, and oriented within the context of the College, religious, civic, national, and international communities.
(12 credits; 4 courses)

• RS 605 Religion and Contemporary Studies
• RS 625–629 Topics in Religious Studies
• RS 660 Worship
• RS 670 Counseling Models and Skills in Ministry
• RS 675, 680 Practicum, Internship in a Professional Situation
• RS 700 Themes in Theology
• RS 710 Theology of Ministry/Models of Church
• RS 720 Sacraments/Liturgy
• RS 730 Spirituality
• RS 790–794 Independent Reading and/or Research
• RS 795–799 Workshops/Seminars in Religious Studies

PORTFOLIO
Also recommended is an ongoing portfolio of personal and/or professional goals, activities, and reflections related to the program. The portfolio is normally required in the Ministry/Leadership sequence.