Program Description
The Master of Arts degree in Science and Religion is designed to provide individuals with the essential background in theology, history, and philosophy necessary to integrate modern science with evangelical Christianity.
The curriculum is designed for students who already have some background in the sciences; consequently the course work emphasizes the critical tools from other disciplines that are necessary for providing the proper context and foundation for understanding and working comfortably with issues that relate to both Christianity and the sciences. Special seminars focus on current theological issues within specific scientific disciplines so that students will understand the contemporary dynamic and learn to integrate their thinking in a mentored setting.
The program fosters in students a mature and informed Christian worldview from which to serve the Lord and to relate to their secular colleagues in the sciences.
The program is available in a format that combines distance learning and on-campus learning in an academically robust manner. This is a proven method of education that is designed to make the M.A. in Science and Religion available to students who cannot relocate to southern California for the course work. Some short-term campus visits are required during the summer, offering the opportunity to interact with faculty, fellow students, and preeminent guest scholars and lecturers.
The M.A. in Science and Religion program includes the following:
Science and Religion Core (8 units)
- CSSR 529 Historical Perspectives in Science and Religion (2)
- CSSR 530 Darwin, Evolution, and Design (2)
- CSSR 631 Modern Physics, Cosmology, and Design (2)
- CSSR 651 Intelligent Design Seminar (2)
Religious Studies Core (16 units):
- CSSR 510 Research Methodologies (1)
- CSSR 514 History of Christian Thought (3)
- CSSR 516 Authority of Scriptural Traditions (2)
- CSSR 519 Old Testament / Hebrew Literature (3)
- CSSR 520 New Testament Literature (3)
- CSSR 541 Christian Thought I (2)
- CSSR 542 Christian Thought II (2)
Philosophy Overview (5 units)
Electives (7 units)
- CSSR 517 Interpretative Issues and Methods (3)
- CSSR 526 Contemporary Christian Belief (3)
- CSSR 540 Metaphysics and Epistemology (3)
- CSSR 604 Science and Religion: Continuing Study (2)
- CSSR 610 Elementary Principles of Biblical Languages (3)
- CSSR 611 Beginning Greek I (2)
- CSSR 612 Beginning Greek II (2)
- CSSR 613 Elements of Hebrew I (3)
- CSSR 614 Elements of Hebrew II (3)
- CSSR 619 Archaeology in the Ancient Near East (2)
- CSSR 621 Logical and Critical Thinking (2)
- CSSR 622 Issues in Epistemology (2)
- CSSR 624 Issues in Metaphysics (2)
- CSSR 625 Philosophy of Religion (2)
- CSSR 626 Ethics (2)
- CSSR 627 Bioethics (2)
- CSSR 628 Environmental Ethics (2)
- CSSR 640 World Religions and Science (2)
- CSSR 652 Human Origins Seminar (2)
- CSSR 653 Origin of Life Seminar (2)
- CSSR 660 Special Projects/Topics in Science and Religion (3)
Students who already have a strong background in philosophy or Bible may, with their advisor's approval, take approved electives in place of the required units.