"Second tier" NT MA programs?

[madelina]

Hi guys,

I've tried to search this forum so I wouldnt repeat but didn't find anything that answered my question. Please direct me if somewhere this has already been answered.

I'm preparing to apply for fall 2015 for MA programs in Early Christianity/New Testatment. I graduated with a double major in history and the study of religion from UCLA but have no language preparation so I am looking for programs that will prepare me to enter a PhD program (so language heavy programs). I'll be applying to Harvard, BU, Duke, and Syracuse but I was wondering if their are any others I should look into and what programs fall under these. In other words, I want to apply to some less competive schools in case I am not accepted ( I have a strong gpa but haven't taken the gre yet) but am having trouble knowing what schools these would be. Second tier so to speak. Any advice/ suggestions would be so appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[marXian]

You're not going to have a problem getting into a top tier div school program coming from UCLA with a good GPA. Those programs are not nearly as competitive as "traditional" M* programs who only admit a handful of students each year. I don't know about Syracuse or BU, but definitely Harvard and Duke probably won't be a problem for you to get into. "Second tier" in religious studies/theology/biblical studies is difficult to identify because there are tons of seminaries all over the US offering M* degrees. Some of them are decent and send people on to good PhD programs, and others... are not. But regardless, do not pay full tuition for a M* degree from a random seminary when you could be getting some scholarship money from Harvard or Duke (or another top tier program.)

 

I'm not in biblical studies, but Emory and Vanderbilt are also places worth checking out. 

[madelina]

Thank you!

[Macrina]

If you're looking at MA programs then you aren't applying to the divinity schools and the more rigorous admissions standards will be a factor. Have you considered the MTS degree at the divinity schools? Both Harvard and Duke offer this program and it may be a good option if you want access to the resources of the institution but don't make it into the MA programs.

[marXian]

I just assumed by "MA" the OP meant M* program, but maybe not?

[sacklunch]

Don't waste your time with the MTS, save for maybe HDS (they are more open about languages). Such programs will simply not allow you to get the languages. Duke Div, for example, is notorious for not offering full rides and its MTS is packed full of bloated requirements. The MA in RS, on the other hand, only requires you to take one class and the rest is up to you (you could take a bunch of languages if that's what you need!). You might also look into ND's ECS, though they usually prefer students who have some sort of background in classics (plus they have very touch admissions). It's in Canada, but Uni of British Columbia has a great department/M* degrees combining religion, classics, and ANE. You're coming from a top UG school with good stats, which means you will most likely get in everywhere you apply (all of these schools excluding ND have incredibly high admission rates vis-a-vis other terminal M*'s in the humanities).

 

cheers

Edited September 6, 2014 by sacklunch

[turktheman]

Check into Yale Divinity School. Their MAR Second Temple Judaism requires 12 hours of Hebrew and 12 hours of a secondary language--usually Greek. Their MAR Bible also can give ample chances to acquire languages. One of the strengths--to me--of a place like YDS or Princeton Theological Seminary is their summer intensive language courses. I know YDS offers six hours of Greek, Hebrew, or Latin during the summer, which is great for students like yourself who need to cram in as much as possible. I believe PTS works alongside Princeton to offer summer language intensives, including a couple of modern languages. As Marxian and others have said, you have good chances of admissions and funding at places like HDS, YDS, PTS, etc. 

[Rabbit Run]

 I believe PTS works alongside Princeton to offer summer language intensives, including a couple of modern languages. As Marxian and others have said, you have good chances of admissions and funding at places like HDS, YDS, PTS, etc. 

 

Yeah, the Seminary offers 6 credit Greek and Hebrew intensive courses over the Summer (as well as regular 3 credit per semester Greek and Hebrew over the year), as well as more advanced electives/reading courses in those languages over the year.

 

Through Princeton university you can do intensive French, German, or Latin over the Summer at the Grad School and then whatever language you want basically over the year.

Edited September 6, 2014 by Rabbit Run

[sacklunch]

If we are considering 'divinity schools' I can't see any reason to apply to PTS over somewhere like HDS. PTS, as far as I know, still does not offer an 'academic' M* degree (excluding the ThM). Conversations such as this often presume the person applying has personal interests in studying 'religious materials' (almost always Christian here) and thus doing something like an MDiv at PTS (and most other places for that matter) and not being Christian would not go terribly well (and in some cases would prevent the applicant from being admitted). You would be better served doing a RS or Classics focused program to maximize your time and best prepare you for doctoral admissions. Unfortunately some of the seminaries offer better funding (plus the fact that their admission rates are quite high), making it seem more attractive. If you can stomach the theistic overtones of such places they would no doubt prepare you well. It's just something to consider as I myself wasn't quite prepared for how awkward/discriminatory it can be studying anything relating to Christianity in such settings and not being Christian. 

[diazalon]

Don't waste your time with the MTS, save for maybe HDS (they are more open about languages). Such programs will simply not allow you to get the languages. Duke Div, for example, is notorious for not offering full rides and its MTS is packed full of bloated requirements. The MA in RS, on the other hand, only requires you to take one class and the rest is up to you (you could take a bunch of languages if that's what you need!). 

 

A couple things to be aware of regarding Duke's MA in Religious Studies: funding is generally capped at 50%, which means that you are on the hook for about $25k in tuition, plus the cost of living, over the course of the two years. Additionally, the MA program's placement into PhD programs in the last few years has been, for whatever reason, disappointing. If you can stand to go to a solid divinity school like Yale Div, Harvard Div, Chicago Div, or Duke Div, then you will have a much, much better chance of getting closer to full funding, which would leave you on the hook just for living costs.

 

The ND Masters in Early Christian Studies is exceptionally competitive, and unlikely to accept anyone without language training. 

[sacklunch]

A couple things to be aware of regarding Duke's MA in Religious Studies: funding is generally capped at 50%, which means that you are on the hook for about $25k in tuition, plus the cost of living, over the course of the two years. Additionally, the MA program's placement into PhD programs in the last few years has been, for whatever reason, disappointing. If you can stand to go to a solid divinity school like Yale Div, Harvard Div, Chicago Div, or Duke Div, then you will have a much, much better chance of getting closer to full funding, which would leave you on the hook just for living costs.

 

The ND Masters in Early Christian Studies is exceptionally competitive, and unlikely to accept anyone without language training. 

 

For what it's worth I have a much different perspective of the program. I'd rather not divulge personal information about myself or others unless it is via PM, so feel free to message me. But in short, I think you're wrong. The program typically takes half a dozen students a year, so it's difficult to compare the success of its students to the big name Div schools which pump out hundreds of graduates a year. Though as a quick measure of its success rate, students graduating from the MA last year secured spots at Duke (Religion and another in Sociology), UChicago, UVA, UCSB, UMich, ND, and so on (and others I know for sure also receiving interviews at good places). This is pretty decent, I think.

 

It's also worth mentioning that supposedly the MA is now fully funding one or two of the incoming students. Though, yes, you are correct in that previously all students received 50% off (compare with Duke MTS which usually gives 25%-50%). 

Edited September 6, 2014 by sacklunch

[Rabbit Run]

PTS, as far as I know, still does not offer an 'academic' M* degree (excluding the ThM). 

Starting Fall of 2015 PTS is opening up the M.A.(T.S). (Master of Arts in Theological Studies) to domestic students (previously its just been for international students), so we will *finally have one.

[diazalon]

For what it's worth I have a much different perspective of the program. I'd rather not divulge personal information about myself or others unless it is via PM, so feel free to message me. But in short, I think you're wrong. The program typically takes half a dozen students a year, so it's difficult to compare the success of its students to the big name Div schools which pump out hundreds of graduates a year. Though as a quick measure of its success rate, students graduating from the MA last year secured spots at Duke (Religion and another in Sociology), UChicago, UVA, UCSB, UMich, ND, and so on (and others I know for sure also receiving interviews at good places). This is pretty decent, I think.

 

It's also worth mentioning that supposedly the MA is now fully funding one or two of the incoming students. Though, yes, you are correct in that previously all students received 50% off (compare with Duke MTS which usually gives 25%-50%). 

 

 

Could be. My perspective comes only from the New Testament students (given the original poster's question), and when I was around those parts a couple of years ago.

 

The monetary point stands. YDS (where I went) and HDS have quite generous funding for students who did well in their undergraduate program (60-80%), which will leave the original poster with quite a bit less debt, something I find eminently relevant to most students' concerns. Your mileage may vary.

[sacklunch]

Could be. My perspective comes only from the New Testament students (given the original poster's question), and when I was around those parts a couple of years ago.

 

The monetary point stands. YDS (where I went) and HDS have quite generous funding for students who did well in their undergraduate program (60-80%), which will leave the original poster with quite a bit less debt, something I find eminently relevant to most students' concerns. Your mileage may vary.

 

Agreed! As I mentioned I'm pretty sure they are now giving a couple full rides, which makes the program much more attractive. Either way, apply far and wide and see what happens.

[madelina]

Thank you all so much! I will definitely look more into divinity schools.