Master of Arts in Religious Leadership

In partnership with the College of Theology, Lenoir-Rhyne University’s School of Education offers a Master of Arts in Religious Leadership degree. This program is offered fully online, and is specifically designed for those who seek theological and scriptural background for their work. Students from traditional ministry settings will gain practical leadership knowledge and a skill set that goes beyond knowledge acquired from a seminary degree program. Students working in other types of organizations and agencies will acquire fluency in scripture and theology to help better understand their organization’s work in a theological framework.

LR’s Religious Leadership graduate program aims to develop leaders who:

• Effectively communicate with faith leaders who can serve as potential partners.
• Understand the faith of their clients, pastors, and other partners.
• Have the leadership skills to lead an organization through change.
• Have the ability to manage and lead organizations rooted in the reality of their location.
• Develop budgets and identify resources for their organization to thrive and succeed.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission to the Master of Arts in Leadership program must meet the following criteria:

1. Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended demonstrating successful or pending completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Minimum cumulative GPA is a 2.7;
2. Submit an official copy of either the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the GRE (unless Career Admission Track applies); Minimum MAT score is a 390; minimum GRE scores are Verbal 147, Quantitative 147, and Analytical Writing 3.5;
3. If Career Admission Track applies, or if the applicant meets one of the other criteria for waiving the standardized test score, submit one letter of professional recommendation through the online application;
4. Submit a writing sample clearly articulating goals and life experiences that have impacted the student’s decision to pursue a graduate degree in Religious Leadership;
5. Submit a CV or Resume;
6. Be available for an interview upon request.
7. The admissions committee determines admissions decisions based on the whole application and reserves the right to admit, provisionally admit, waitlist, or deny applicants on this policy.