Wake Forest University School of Divinity Announces Master of Arts in Religion Program 

Wake Forest University School of Divinity is excited to announce the launch of its new Master of Arts in Religion (MA in Religion) program. Designed for recent college graduates, professionals, and experienced leaders, this program offers a rigorous exploration of religion and its intersection with pressing societal issues. The 10-month degree program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to become effective, faith-informed leaders in a variety of professional, congregational, and community settings.

“Our new MA in Religion program provides students with a critical understanding of religion and its impact on society and the world,” said Corey D. B. Walker, Dean and Wake Forest Professor of the Humanities. “We are committed to offering a variety of graduate theological programs that address the rapid changes in both church and society, while nurturing new generations of faith leaders dedicated to justice, reconciliation, and compassion.”  

The Master of Arts in Religion enhances the School of Divinity’s graduate theological offerings, which include the Doctor of Ministry, Master of Divinity, and dual degree programs that combine the Master of Divinity with the Juris Doctor and with master’s degrees in bioethics, counseling, education, and sustainability.

The Master of Arts in Religion is an interdisciplinary program, allowing students the opportunity to study with distinguished faculty at the School of Divinity and with professors across Wake Forest University. The curriculum blends in-person, hybrid, and online courses, offering flexibility to meet the unique needs and interests of each student. Designed for adaptability, the program can be completed in as few as ten months of full-time study, while providing students with the opportunity to engage deeply with a broad range of cultural, ethical, historical, political, and social issues from perspectives in religious and theological studies.

A key feature of the program is its “Theological Design Lab,” an innovative experiential learning space that uses design thinking and a collaborative process involving faculty, peers, professionals, and community members. The lab focuses on addressing the pressing challenges facing congregations and communities, fostering creative, theologically informed solutions to contemporary needs.

“Our design lab will provide students with important learning experiences that demonstrate the value of religious and theological understanding in addressing both global and local challenges,” said Elizabeth O’Donnell Gandolfo, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Earley Associate Professor of Catholic and Latin American Studies. “This new program offers students a unique opportunity to pursue graduate theological education and its many wide-ranging applications, both within and beyond traditional ministry.”

The Master of Arts in Religion will welcome its inaugural class in the summer of 2025. Prospective students are encouraged to visit divinity.wfu.edu for more information and to apply.