MA in Theology and Religion
Deepen Your Faith, Fulfill Your Calling
The MA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Theology and Religion is designed for Christian professionals, educators, homemakers, pastors, and others in ministry or Christian NGOs, who desire to deepen their theological understanding while continuing to engage in their daily lives.
Degree awarded by Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, USA
Course Overview
Marina Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Religion (MCISR) is excited to announce the launch of MA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Theology and Religion, a fully online, accredited program crafted to empower Christian leaders and learners from diverse backgrounds.
This degree, awarded by Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, USA (recognized by The Wall Street Journal as one of America’s Best Colleges for 2025), is offered by Asia Biblical Theological Seminary, Chiang Mai, Thailand, in collaboration with MCISR, Chennai.
This MA degree blends rich theological studies with practical training, providing students a comprehensive education that spans essential areas like the Bible, Theology, Christian Worldview, Major Religions, Leadership, Digital Media, and Ministry.
This program is designed to be accessible and impactful for Christian professionals from all sectors, housewives, pastors, missionaries, and staff of Christian NGOs. Whether you’re seeking to deepen your theological foundation, expand your understanding of ministry in a digital age, or enhance your skills in interfaith contexts, this course offers the flexibility and depth to equip you in fulfilling your calling.
MA Advantages
American Degree
Fully Online
Asynchronous
Over 80% Scholarship
International Faculty
Option for Spouse to Audit Courses Freely
Option to Attend Convocation at Cornerstone University, USA
Programme Highlights
Open to Christian professionals, housewives, pastors, and missionaries, the program makes theological education accessible beyond traditional ministry contexts, empowering Christians to integrate faith into their professions and communities.
Fully online and asynchronous, the program offers the flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere, allowing students to balance their studies with personal and professional commitments. Courses are designed and taught by renowned international scholars.
Tailored to equip students in pluralistic societies, the program introduces the major world religions, empowering learners to engage effectively in evangelism, apologetics, and vocational integration of faith across diverse cultural settings.
With an “East meets West” model, the program exposes students to global theological insights while remaining grounded in their local contexts. This diversity encourages critical engagement with multiple cultural perspectives.
The program offers specialized modules on digital evangelism, organizational dynamics, and cultural studies, preparing students to navigate the complexities of ministry in globalized and digital contexts. Learners will gain skills to integrate faith with effective communication, leadership, and cultural understanding to impact diverse communities.
This program integrates theological research grounded in Scripture with social science insights and methodologies, equipping students to understand both the Word and the world. It fosters contextualized ministry and interdisciplinary research for addressing real-world challenges.
This curriculum is also designed for students aspiring to pursue doctoral programs in theology. It provides thorough training in advanced academic research and writing, establishing a strong foundation in theology, biblical studies, and religion. With its interdisciplinary orientation, the program equips graduates to design impactful doctoral research and empowers Christian professionals to contribute meaningfully across diverse sectors through a doctoral degree in theology.
Programme Details
Structure:
- 20 courses
- Final thesis
- Total 64 credit hours
- 12 weeks per course
- 2 courses in a quarter
- 10 hrs workload per course per week
Duration: 3 to 5 years
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in any discipline or theological institution.
Credit Transfer: A certain percentage of credits from a master’s degree in theology from a recognized institution may be eligible for transfer.
Fees:
Application Process Fee: US $13 (Rs 1000)
Tuition fees: US $155 per credit hour. (Option to pay per course)
Graduation fee will be notified at the time of applying for graduation.
The tuition fees are greatly subsidized compared to those of US universities. Check the scholarship section for your country’s fees.
Fees Discount
Receive a discount equivalent to the tuition fee of 3 credit hours by paying the fees of the entire program before the start of the first module.
Scholarships
Generous Scholarships for Non-Western Students:
- Over 80% scholarship is available for students from non-Western countries.
- Scholarship eligibility is determined by citizenship.
Thanks to the generous contributions from numerous donors to our partner institutions, we are dedicated to making this program affordable to students from the Global South.
Tuition Fee for Indian Students (with Scholarship):
- INR 2,200 per credit hour
- INR 6,600 for a 3-credit hour course
Check Scholarship Eligibility for Your Country:
Tution Fees for : Per Credit Hour
Rolling Admissions
Applications are accepted year-round. Decisions are intimated within three months.
SMALL COHORTS
Global standards limit the number of students for each class.
Fee Discount
Discount of 3 credit hour tuition fee for the full payment of fees for the entire programme at the time of admission.
Curriculum Snapshot
Biblical Hermeneutics
This course introduces you to the art and science of interpreting Scripture, equipping you to uncover the original meaning of biblical texts and apply them to today’s world. Whether teaching, preaching, or writing, you will gain confidence in sharing biblical truths effectively. You will gain essential skills for understanding and communicating the Bible in diverse contexts.
Old Testament Biblical Theology
Explore the richness of Old Testament history and theology, uncovering key concepts that have shaped the faith journey of God’s people. This course will deepen your understanding of how the Old Testament connects with contemporary life and mission. It will strengthen your ability to draw relevant lessons from the Old Testament for personal and professional application.
New Testament Biblical Theology
Understand the biblical foundations for Christian mission and explore its historical and contemporary expressions. This course provides the tools to integrate your professional life with God’s global mission. It inspires you to align your work and faith with the mission of God in practical ways.
Biblical Theology of Mission
Understand the biblical foundations for Christian mission and explore its historical and contemporary expressions. This course provides the tools to integrate your professional life with God’s global mission. It inspires you to align your work and faith with the mission of God in practical ways.
Christian Worldview
This course examines the Christian perspective on life, work, and reality, emphasizing the grand narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and renewal. Learn to navigate today’s cultural challenges while holding firm to your faith. It empowers you to live out and articulate a Christian worldview in your professional and personal life.
Systematic Theology I
Explore foundational Christian doctrines, including Scripture and the nature of God, through the lens of the Bible’s overarching narrative. This course will deepen your theological understanding and its relevance to everyday life. It provides a solid foundation for integrating theology into decision-making and leadership.
Systematic Theology II
Gain insights into the human condition, the nature of sin, and the profound work of salvation through Christ and the Holy Spirit. Discover how these truths shape your worldview and approach to challenges. It equips you to address complex issues with theological clarity and confidence.
Systematic Theology III
Study the Church, salvation, and God’s ultimate plans for creation, focusing on how these doctrines inspire hope and purpose. Learn to navigate eschatological questions with a faith-grounded perspective. It helps you apply hope-filled theology to inspire and guide others.
Contemporary Theologies
Engage with cutting-edge theological approaches such as liberation theology, ecotheology, and digital theology. Learn how these ideas address modern challenges and foster innovative thinking. It equips you to engage thoughtfully with contemporary issues in your sector and community.
Christian Ethics
Discover a biblical model for ethical decision-making in a rapidly changing world. Learn to integrate Christian values into your personal, professional, and societal responsibilities. It prepares you to lead with integrity and make God-honoring choices in complex scenarios.
Spiritual Formation
Develop a deeper understanding of spiritual growth and cultivate practices that integrate faith into all areas of life. Learn from historical models to inspire your personal and professional journey. It fosters spiritual resilience and growth, equipping you for impactful leadership.
Theology and Culture
Understand the relationship between faith and culture, learning to navigate cultural diversity and engage meaningfully in different contexts. This course will enhance your ability to communicate the gospel effectively. It prepares you for effective engagement in multicultural and cross-cultural environments.
Organizational Leadership
Gain insights into biblical principles and modern strategies for leadership. This course equips you to build high-performing teams, create vision-driven plans, and lead organizations with purpose and excellence. It enhances your leadership capacity to create lasting impact in any professional setting.
Digital Media and the Church
Explore how to leverage digital platforms to extend the reach of your ministry and engage audiences effectively. Learn strategies for creating compelling, faith-based content online. It equips you to harness digital tools for innovative ministry and communication.
Understanding Christian History
Journey through the rich history of Christianity, from its origins to its global expressions today. This course equips you to draw lessons from the Church’s past to navigate the challenges of the present. It provides historical insights to guide leadership in the Church and society.
Understanding Hinduism
Gain a comprehensive understanding of Hindu beliefs, practices, and worldviews. Learn to engage meaningfully with Hindu colleagues, friends, and communities in ways that reflect your faith. It enhances your cultural competence and capacity for meaningful dialogue.
Understanding Islam
Learn about the core beliefs and practices of Islam from a comparative perspective, enabling you to build relationships and share your faith authentically. It equips you for respectful and effective engagement with Muslim communities.
Understanding Buddhism
Discover the foundational teachings and practices of Buddhism while gaining insights to foster mutual understanding and share your faith thoughtfully. It prepares you to build bridges of respect and dialogue with Buddhist individuals and communities.
Social Research Methods for Theology and Religious Studies
Learn practical research skills for theological inquiry, from formulating research questions to presenting findings. This course prepares you to tackle real-world issues with academic rigor. It equips you to conduct impactful research on real-world issues and integrates faith and practice.
Thesis
Undertake a research project that explores a real-life issue that is closer to your heart from a theological perspective. This course enables you to bridge faith, research, and real-life challenges. It develops expertise in addressing real-world problems with theological insight and scholarly excellence.
Learning Outcomes
Deeper Insights into Scripture
Uncover biblical insights for a relevant Christian life today.
Strong Theological Foundation
Grasp core doctrines to navigate diverse worldviews.
Understanding World Religions
Study world religions to communicate faith with respect & clarity.
Wisdom from Christian History
Draw lessons from history to enrich contemporary faith.
Enhanced Communication & Critical Thinking
Develop clear, well-supported arguments and ideas.
Theological Analysis of Real - World Issues
Apply biblical perspectives to field research on current issues.
Ready to take the next step?
Apply now to join this transformative programme and start your learning journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
The MA in Theology and Religion is awarded by Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, USA (recognized by The Wall Street Journal as one of America’s Best Colleges for 2025). It is offered by the Asia Biblical Theological Seminary (ABTS), Chiang Mai, Thailand, in collaboration with the Marina Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Religion (MCISR), Chennai.
The program includes 20 courses and a thesis. Each course runs for 12 weeks, with two courses offered simultaneously.
The program requires 64 credit hours.
The minimum duration is three years.
No, you can study at your convenience. There are no mandatory live sessions.
Not at all! You only need basic internet skills, such as accessing a website via a browser on a computer or mobile device. The program uses Brightspace, a user-friendly and intuitive e-learning platform provided by Cornerstone University.
You can engage with faculty through discussion forums and live Zoom sessions.
Assessments include quizzes, participation in discussion forums, reflective summaries, and a final evaluation.
You will write a thesis on a real-world issue from your ministry or professional context that is closer to your heart. This research will use an interdisciplinary approach that integrates theology and social sciences.
Courses start every quarter: January, April, July, and October.
Applications are accepted year-round.
If English is not your first language, you must complete an online English proficiency exam. The test includes audio and reading components and takes approximately 2–3 hours to complete.
The interview helps us learn more about you, including your spiritual life, interests, and purpose for pursuing this degree. It will be conducted via Zoom.
You can submit your application online by clicking here. We accept only online applications.
The standard tuition fee is USD 155 per credit hour.
Yes, scholarships covering over 80% of tuition fees are available for students from non-Western countries. Scholarship eligibility is based on your citizenship.
Yes, credits from master’s-level theology courses completed at recognized institutions may be eligible for transfer.
You may attend the convocation ceremony at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids (subject to visa requirements), ABTS in Chiang Mai, or MCISR in Chennai.