36 Credit Hours
Aims and Outcomes:
We believe that philosophy involves the passionate pursuit of truth, along with goodness and beauty, for the sake of Christ. At Palm Beach Atlantic University, the rigorous study of philosophy therefore moves us to pursue wisdom and knowledge for human flourishing. If you are also captivated by this vision for the pursuit of truth, then we invite you to join our dynamic community at PBA. Fueled by the conviction that all truth finds its source in Christ, the Master of Arts in Philosophy of Religion degree (MAPR) aims to prepare you for making an impact for His Kingdom.
Designed with the twenty-first century Christian leader in view, our program delivers specific benefits:
- Strong emphasis on public philosophy that engages thoughtfully with culture
- Rigorous philosophical training, exploring a wide variety of topics in religion, theology, ethics, science, culture, and art from a Christian perspective
- Cutting-edge education from top-tier Christian philosophers with strong ministry experience
- Vibrant learning community with small, in-person classes throughout the program
- Affordable tuition, with scholarships and graduate student worker opportunities
- Solid foundation for further postgraduate studies in leading research universities
In this program, you will be learning with leading Christian philosophers, who are dynamic teachers, caring mentors, and have a strong record of academic publishing. To this end, a graduate of the MAPR degree will demonstrate the competencies required to:
- Evaluate key Christian doctrines for philosophical coherence and cogency and synthesize them into a broadly Christian worldview.
- Develop critical thinking and integrative skills as emerging Christian philosophers, including Christian doctrine and selected philosophical subdisciplines.
- Analyze spheres of contemporary culture and society from a philosophical perspective and articulate a Christian response.
- Cultivate the capacities for personal faith, emotional maturity, and moral integrity requisite to a life of practicing Christian philosophy in a range of settings.
Course Schedule/Structure
The Master of Arts, Philosophy of Religion (MAPR) is offered in two modalities:
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In the traditional on-ground modality, MAPR students will take courses at the West Palm Beach campus throughout the semester.
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In the hybrid option, students will take courses both remotely through synchronous online modalities and through week-long intensive on-ground classes at the West Palm Beach campus.
The MAPR classes will be taught by PBA’s full-time philosophy faculty and regular visiting professors. Courses are offered on a rotation; students should work closely with their advisor to determine the best personalized registration schedule.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements for the MAPR program may be found in the Admissions section of the Graduate and Pharmacy catalog.
Transfer and Transient Credits
Students accepted into the Master of Arts, Philosophy of Religion (MAPR) degree program may transfer up to 6 approved credit hours to satisfy course degree requirements. No transient study credit may be applied toward completion of the MAPR. For additional PBA requirements and policies on transfer and transient credits, see Academic Policies in the Graduate and Pharmacy Catalog.
Associated M.Div. Degrees
Master of Divinity + Master of Arts, Philosophy of Religion Dual Degree (M.Div + MAPR)
Master of Divinity, Concentration in Philosophy of Religion
Degree Requirements
A total of 36 credit hours are required. Hybrid students must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of courses offered on the ground in West Palm Beach. These courses will be offered as one-week intensives, usually in early January and October.