NationsUniversity - Tuition-free Online Christian Education

Effective for students registering or admitted to the M.R.S. program on or after January 1, 2011 

The Master of Religious Studies (M.R.S.) is a first level, non-professional degree and represents a minimum one-year of study.  The primary objective of the M.R.S. program is to provide an orientation to religious studies, with a major interest in the Christian faith.  The program builds on either the B.R.S. or on undergraduate degree programs earned elsewhere.  Because NU is a distance learning institution and operates without defined semesters or terms, students work at their own pace.  Courses are normally completed one at a time, but a student is not prohibited from enrolling in multiple courses simultaneously.  Credit is calculated according to the semester system.

Degree requirements are satisfied through the accumulation of 36 semester credits and a series of collateral and culminating experiences.  These include (1) a beginning and ending spiritual inventory (confidential and non-gradable), (2) biblical literacy (pre-test and post-test), (3) portfolio (with submissions of select items), (4) capstone essays, and (5) integrative essays.  The various experiences are in addition to exams and essays required in specific courses.  They are designed to assist the learning process and provide a means for the institution to measure effectiveness with the student.  The capstone essays deal with foundational courses; the integrative essays are concerned with synthesizing the various components of the entire degree program.  The final grade point average must be a minimum 3.00 on a 4.00 scale on the credits used for the degree.  If a student reaches the end of the curriculum with less than a 3.00 G.P.A., he/she may take additional courses to substitutes for, or offset, a "C" grade.

The M.R.S. program integrates the spiritual dimension (2 courses), with foundation level courses (5 courses), and specialty courses (5 courses).  The recommended order is as follows:

MRS 622 A Search for Spirituality*
M 1 Critical Introduction to the Old Testament
M 2 Critical Introduction to the New Testament
M 3 Systematic Theology
M 4 Biblical Hermeneutics
M 11 Critical Analysis in Biblical Studies
Five Specialty courses selected from courses numbered MRS 100s-500s, 700s.
MRS 633 Being Christian in a Secular Environment

The spirituality dimension brackets the program, but is operative throughout.  The foundation courses (M 1-11) provide evidence that the student has a basic understanding of the biblical text, the theological message of the Bible, and exegetical methodology needed to complete the master's program.  These courses culminate with a series of essays calculated to measure the student's ability to think critically about modern topics in view of the ancient text of scripture.  Specialty courses are electives and may be drawn from any course numbered MRS 100-500, 700.  These culminate in a series of integrative essays designed to bring together the student's entire program of study.  The chart below summarizes the program.

Area	Courses	Primary Measurement	Collateral Measurement
Spiritual Formation	MRS 622	Multiple Choice Exams	Spiritual Inventory
Foundations	M 1 M 2 M 3 M 4 M 11	Multiple Choice Exams Multiple Choice Exams Multiple Choice Exams Multiple Choice Exams Essays	Bible Knowledge Pre-Test Portfolio Items Portfolio Items Portfolio Items
Specialty	MRS 100s-500s, 700s	Multiple Choice Exams	Portfolio Items
Spiritual Formation	MRS 633	Multiple Choice Exams	Spiritual Inventory
		Capstone Essays	Bible Knowledge Post-Test
		Integrative Essays	Portfolio Evaluation

Transfer Credit. A maximum of 6 semester credits may be accepted in transfer toward the M.R.S., provided the credits are from an accredited institution and have not been applied toward another degree.  No credit will be applied toward the M.R.S. that has been used for another graduate degree issued by NationsUniversity.

Admission prerequisites.  A student is eligible for admission to the M.R.S. program if he/she holds a standard bachelor's degree of no less than 120 semester credits or its equivalent.  The degree may be in any discipline.  If the student presents a three-year Bachelor of Theology or similar degree or diploma, the student may be admitted to the master's program only after completing the 30 General Education credits required for the B.R.S.

Formal admission.  Formal admission to the M.R.S. is automatic for students who hold the B.R.S. from NationsUniversity with a 3.00 G.P.A.  B.R.S. graduates with a G.P.A. lower than 3.00 will be reviewed, but they are not guaranteed admission.  If they are admitted, it will be on probation and with the stipulation that the first six credits have a minimum 3.00 G.P.A.

Those who do not hold the B.R.S. from NU may register and begin work immediately with MRS 622.  Formal acceptance into the M.R.S. program will come after a review of the applicant's official credentials.  It is to the student's advantage that proof of the bachelor's degree be submitted immediately after registration.  Until formal admission is granted, the student shall be considered a "certificate" student.  A certificate student is qualified for a non-degree award only.  Once formal admission is granted, the student is assigned to the M.R.S. curriculum.  Courses which have been completed from this curriculum will count toward the M.R.S. degree.  In the event a student cannot, for reasons beyond his/her control, submit official documentation of having complete the bachelor's degree, the student may take 15 graduate credits and petition for a review in anticipation of being admitted to the M.R.S. program. 

*BRS graduates from NU who have credit for BRS 16.6 must substitute a course of their choice.
(Students already registered normally follow the degree plan in effect at the time of registration or admission to a particular program.  Continuing students are directed to the notes below and their online work sheet.  Transference to the 2011 plan will require that all requirements specified in this plan are fulfilled.)

Click here for a SPECIAL NOTE TO STUDENTS WHO ENTERED THE GRADUATE PROGRAM PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 2011.