Master of Arts (MA)

The Common Master of Arts (MA) is a two-year academic degree offered by the Graduate Theological Union in cooperation with PSR. The MA program offers an opportunity to pursue graduate level theological studies apart from preparation for ordained ministry. It prepares students to undertake doctoral studies, to teach religion at the elementary, secondary, and junior college level, or to integrate a theological perspective into the practice of another profession. Each student affiliates with a member school according to their area of concentration and the faculty resources of that school. A portion of the student's course work must be taken outside the school of affiliation, and committee members must include faculty from a second GTU school.

Course Requirements

The MA degree requires a total of 48 credits: 14 three-unit academic courses plus six units of thesis work. Two years of residence are required for satisfactory completion of the degree, and students must maintain an overall "B" average. Letter grades in all of the 14 courses are required. At least five of the 14 courses must be taken from PSR faculty, and five from faculty outside PSR. The course distribution in the common MA follows:

  • Area 1: Old and New Testament Studies (BS, OT, or NT), 3 credits
  • Area 2: Historical Studies (HS), 3 credits
  • Area 3: Systematic and Philosophical Theology (PH, PT, ST), 3 credits
  • Area 4: Ethics and Social Theory or Religion & Society (CE, RS), 3 credits
  • Area of Concentration courses: 12 credits (6 of which must be advanced level, 4000 or above)
  • Electives, 18 credits
  • Thesis, 6 credits.

MA students with an area of concentration of Biblical Languages have different course distribution requirements and an oral examination requirement rather than a thesis. See the MA Program Checklist for Biblical Languages Area of Concentration for this list.

Other MA documents and forms

For more information

For more information on GTU MA Program including the Language Requirement, committee, evaluation, and other details of the MA program visit the GTU website. For more information on how to apply, contact the GTU Admissions Office at 2400 Ridge Road, Berkeley, CA 94709, or 800/826-4488 and the PSR Admissions Office at admissions@psr.edu.