All applications must first be submitted to the Graduate College at Missouri State. It is possible to apply on-line.  It is imperative, however, that you go to the admission page of the Graduate College and read all instructions regarding proper procedures and fees. Please note that our degree program is listed under the broader heading of Master of Arts.

Prerequisites and Applying to the Program

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the U.S., or equivalent training in a foreign university. (See also the section on the Accelerated Master's Degree Option below.)
• A minimum GPA of 3.20 on a 4.00 scale, or a minimum GPA of 3.40 on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work. Students who do not meet the GPA requirements must take the GRE and normally will be expected to score a minimum of 1000 on the combined verbal and quantitative sections.
• International applicants are also required to submit a score of not less than 550 on the paper-based, or a comparable score of 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, or by other equivalent means with a minimum score of 50 percent on the Listening Comprehension Section.
• 24 hours of undergraduate Religious Studies courses, with a minimum of one course from each of the four fields: History of Religions; Biblical Studies; History of Christianity and Judaism; and Religion, Self, and Society.
• 12 hours of one foreign language or its equivalent (e.g., passing a proficiency examination administered by the Modern and Classical Languages Department).
• Applicants lacking the background courses described above may be admitted, but will be required to rectify deficiencies with appropriate course work. These courses will not count toward the master's degree and must be completed before filing an Advisor Approved Program of Study. Students who do not meet the GPA or GRE standards outlined above may be granted conditional admission to the program at the discretion of the Graduate Committee. To be advanced to full standing in the program, students will be required to complete a minimum of 9 hours of specified graduate courses with a GPA of at least 3.30.