Think Well. Stand Firm. Engage the World with Truth.

The Master of Arts in Apologetics is a graduate-level program designed to prepare believers to clearly, confidently, and compassionately engage the most pressing intellectual and cultural challenges facing Christianity today. In an age of moral confusion, spiritual skepticism, and ideological conflict, this program equips students to respond with biblical clarity, intellectual credibility, and gospel conviction.

Rooted in Scripture and strengthened by theological and philosophical rigor, the M.A. in Apologetics trains students to defend the faith not with soundbites, but with understanding. You will learn not only what Christians believe - but why those beliefs stand as truth in a broken and questioning world.

This degree is ideal for pastors, teachers, missionaries, writers, ministry leaders, and Christians who feel burdened to engage cultural issues such as:

Moral relativism and secularism | Challenges to biblical authority | Sexuality and gender ideology | Religious pluralism and cult movements | Atheism and skepticism | The problem of evil and suffering | Doubts surrounding miracles, creation, and resurrection | Attacks against core Christian doctrines

Course Listings: Download the program course listings (PDF)

A Program Designed for Real-World Engagement

This program goes beyond theory. While grounded in academic excellence, the Master of Arts in Apologetics is intentionally designed to form thinkers, not parrots. Students are trained to evaluate ideas, scrutinize arguments, and craft faithful biblical responses - not simply repeat what they have been taught. Exams emphasize writing, reasoning, and synthesis rather than rote memorization. Students are challenged to understand opposing worldviews and respond with thoughtful, orthodox Christian reasoning.

The program culminates in a practical Apologetics Capstone, where students teach a series of apologetics lessons to a live audience, demonstrating both theological grasp and ministry application.

• 36-credit hour graduate degree — 12 courses
• 100% online with the flexibility to complete in as little as 16–24 months
• Transfer in up to 6 credit hours
• Provides a pathway to advanced doctoral study through the Doctor of Ministry or Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership

_{Entrance Requirements}  

• General Requirements: All graduate programs require the satisfactory completion of a bachelor's degree or its equivalent, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
• Bachelor's Degree Equivalency: Equivalency means the applicant has completed 120 semester hours of recognized college-level work with at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Note that no bachelor's degree will be awarded to an applicant entering a graduate program through equivalency.
• Specific Requirement for Master of Divinity with Languages Track: Applicants must have obtained an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

Program Coordinator

Dr. Doug Taylor | Douglas.Taylor@LutherRice.edu

770-484-1204 ext. 5640

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Taylor personally anytime, or you can reach the Enrollment Team at Admissions@LutherRice.edu and 770-484-1204 ext. 5758.