A versatile online graduate program focused on helping you develop excellence – where you want, when you want.
Why pursue a Master of Arts?
The most common reason people pursue the MA in Applied Orthodox Theology degree is career advancement and/or better job opportunities. A graduate degree helps you qualify for higher-level roles, increases competitiveness, develops leadership, and improves salary potential.
However, as Orthodox Christians, we do not make career advancement and money the prime motivators in life. Our prime motivator is to participate in God’s mission. The great news about this degree is that it can do both: further God’s mission and advance your career.
- Is it affordable? Yes, only $475 a month.
- Is it accessible? Yes, study from anywhere
- Is it relevant? Yes, our program is customized to help the average English-speaking Orthodox Christian grow and transform.
The Mentor Team
All students have a three-person mentor team to help with the educational process. These mentors commit themselves to being co-learners with the students.
Faculty Mentor: These approved members have a doctorate and are acquainted with our academic standards. They are skilled integrationists who have a desire to help students deepen their faith and flourish in their vocation. We assign the Faculty Mentor.
Vocational Mentor: These mentors are often active in the student’s current life and are chosen by the student. In most cases, these are vocational supervisors, leaders, or experienced colleagues. Students are empowered to identify and invite a vocational mentor to serve on their team.
Personal Mentor: These are either a volunteer deacon, priest, or bishop of the Orthodox Church. The student can select a member of the clergy to serve as their volunteer Personal Mentor or request St. Athanasius College to provide the Personal Mentor. These mentors must be willing to develop a close relationship with the student, provide spiritual guidance and companionship,
Program Overview
Program Outcomes
This program focuses on formation, biblical study, vocational discernment, theology, and integration. The program invites you to develop and demonstrate proficiency in its seven integrated outcomes, along with an orientation and an exit plan.
Customized Learning Experiences
Learning experiences are built around an invitation to explore an aspect of your vocation, Christian thought and practice, or the human experience. You have the opportunity to progress through these learning experiences in the way that is most helpful to you in your context and vocation. You also have the opportunity to work with faculty members to create entirely new or customized learning experiences that help you develop vocational excellence and expertise. Learn more about customized learning here.
Contextual Project in a Unique Area of Focus
As part of your program, you will complete a contextual project that integrates your learning, theology, and practice. In some cases, students complete a research-oriented thesis in preparation for future doctoral work, while in others, they complete a project related to their vocational context after conducting research on it. You will work with your mentor team to customize or concentrate on any area of interest. This means you can dive deep into missiology, systems design and thinking, pastoral care, Clinical Pastoral Education, biblical languages, spiritual formation and direction, chaplaincy, finances, strategic leadership, and much more. The choice is yours!
Contextual Learning
Throughout the program, you have the opportunity to work with your mentor team to design learning experiences that are entirely shaped by what you are doing (or will do) in your current or desired vocational context. Are you helping with planting a church? Building a youth ministry program? Developing curriculum? Then use that in your program! Are you managing finances? Writing code? Building homes? Developing software? Leading teams? Then use that in your program! If an experience or project is connected to what it means to flourish in your vocation, then use it to make progress in your program!
Getting Started
We would love to explore an MA with you! Whether you want to start a conversation or go ahead and apply, we recommend contacting us right away.
Ready to apply? We recommend gathering your official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions. We also recommend a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
