The Bachelor of Arts in Religion is a comprehensive undergraduate degree designed to prepare students for Christian ministry through a strong biblical and theological foundation combined with practical ministry training.
The program is well suited for students who are currently serving in ministry or preparing for long-term leadership in the church.
Delivered in an online-first format, the BAR allows students to pursue formal theological education while continuing to work, serve, and lead in their local ministry contexts.
Up to 30 semester hours may be transferred from an accredited institution
A minimum of 36 semester hours must be completed through BMATS
The Bachelor of Arts in Religion is designed for students seeking a broad and structured theological education with direct application to ministry.
This includes:
Aspiring pastors and ministry leaders
Bivocational ministers pursuing formal training
Students preparing for graduate theological study
Individuals serving in teaching, discipleship, or church leadership roles
Most students complete the program part-time while remaining active in ministry and employment.
The BAR curriculum is organized to provide both academic depth and ministry readiness. Students complete coursework across the following areas:
Courses focus on Old and New Testament interpretation, gospel studies, and biblical languages. Students develop strong interpretive skills while gaining exposure to Greek grammar and translation.
With faculty approval, non-ministerial students may substitute a modern foreign language for Greek.
Students study core Christian doctrine and the historical development of Christianity, building a framework for theological reflection and faithful teaching.
This area emphasizes practical ministry preparation, including disciple-making, evangelism, leadership, preaching, and missions. Students are trained not only to understand ministry, but to practice it faithfully and effectively.
Courses explore church administration, teaching, and pastoral awareness, including the study of Christian psychology and organizational leadership.
Electives allow students to tailor the degree to their ministry context or areas of interest while completing upper-level coursework.
The BAR program is structured with working and bivocational students in mind:
Courses are delivered online
Most students take one to two classes per semester
Live interaction is supported by recorded content for flexibility
This format allows students to progress steadily while maintaining vocational and ministry commitments.
Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Religion requires an existing Associate of Arts degree or equivalent coursework totaling at least 60 semester hours.
AA equivalency must include:
Religion or Social Science – 6 hours
Government – 6 hours
English – 9 hours
History – 6 hours
Modern Foreign Language or Science – 6 hours
Math or Natural Science – 3 hours
Students who did not complete required Old or New Testament survey courses at the junior college level may complete them as part of their BAR coursework.
If you’re considering the Bachelor of Arts in Religion and want to understand how the program fits your calling and schedule, our admissions team is ready to help.