Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill., is enrolling students in a new online option for its master of arts in religion program.
Like its traditional classroom counterpart, the new online program is designed for church workers who want to enhance their theological knowledge and expertise, as well as laypeople who are interested in enriching their understanding of the Bible and Christian theology.
“Since its inception, our university has trained workers to serve in the church,” said Dr. Andrew Steinmann, professor of theology and Hebrew, who developed the new online program.
“Our goal in providing the master of arts in religion via online delivery is to serve those who are ministers of religion-commissioned in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod who seek to further their education but cannot easily do so within the confines of a traditional in-residence program.”
Teachers of religion in Lutheran high schools and other Lutheran teachers, deaconesses, directors of Christian education, directors of parish music, directors of Christian outreach, missionaries — and those seeking colloquy certification — will especially benefit from the online format, according to Steinmann.
The online program is offered in the “cohort” format, which brings together a group of students who usually start and end a degree program together, taking courses in sequence and typically building rapport and professional relationships along the way.
The university’s master of arts in religion encompasses 33 semester hours of coursework, including 15 theological-foundation courses such as Old and New Testament studies, systematic theology and Christian doctrine, historical theology, and religious education.
Three hours are devoted to a course in which students conduct in-depth research in theology and related fields. The remaining 15 hours focus on coursework within the student’s area of specialization.
In addition to regular requirements for admission at Concordia University Chicago — including a completed baccalaureate degree — applicants should have undergraduate course work in biblical studies and Christian doctrine or possess greater-than-usual knowledge in these areas.
For more information about the master of arts in religion, contact the Office of Graduate Admission at 708-209-3165 or visit www.cuchicago.edu.
Posted Sept. 9, 2009
