The Master of Religious Education program is designed to equip students for competent leadership in Christian education to serve congregational ministries and other religious institutions. The Bachelor of Arts degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university is required for admission to the program. Conferring of the degree is contingent upon the successful completion of 66 semester hours. 

Primary Goals

1. Equip the student with the capacity for critical and constructive theological reflection regarding the content and processes of educational ministry.

2. Help students understand the educational, social, and behavioral sciences that undergird educational practice, as well as the cultural contexts in which educational ministry occurs.

3. Assist students with personal growth and spiritual maturity.

4. Provide skills in teaching and in the design, administration, and assessment of educational programming.

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Admissions Procedures
Application Deadlines
Graduation Requirements
Required Courses
Course Description for all programs

Admissions Procedures
Graduate courses are offered during the fall and spring semesters and also during the winter and summer sessions. Persons are admitted into the graduate program during the fall, spring and summer sessions and must possess the Bachelors degree. Applicants must have a “C” average in the undergraduate program. Former students who have not matriculated within a year must reapply for admission. 

Persons desiring admission to the Shaw University Divinity School Master of Divinity Program should request the Shaw University Graduate School Application for Admission Form from or apply online:

The completed Graduate Application for Admission should be returned to
Shaw University Divinity School at the above address along with a $50.00 application fee. 

Potential students are responsible for the following items to complete the application:

1. An official transcript from their college
2. Complete a two-page essay 
3. Two letters of reference
4. A complete health form signed by a physician.



Application Deadlines

Students desiring to enroll for the fall semester should apply by July 15th, students desiring to enroll for the spring semester should apply by November 15th; and students desiring to enroll for the summer semester should apply by April 15th. 

Every candidate for the Master of Religious Education degree is required to complete a total of 66 hours of credit. Twenty (20) required courses (60 hours) and two (2) electives (6 hours) are required to complete the requirements for the Master of Religious Education degree. 

Students may take a maximum of three courses on Saturday and may take additional courses during the week. It is strongly recommended that full-time pastors or bi-vocational students who are employed 35 or more hours per week limit their course load to three courses or nine hours per semester. Any decision to do otherwise must be approved by the Dean.



Graduation Requirements

Master of Religious Education Degree (MRE)
Requirements: 66 Semester Hours

To be awarded the Master of Religious Education degree (MRE), students must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Completion of sixty-six (66) semester hours. For Winston/Salem students, a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours must be earned at the Raleigh campus.

2. Maintain a cumulative average of “B” or better.

3. Maintain matriculation until degree is completed.



Required Courses

OTS 501 Survey of Old Testament
OTS 502 Theories and Practices of Old Testament Exegesis
NTS 501 Survey of New Testament
NTS 502 Theories and Practices of Old Testament exegesis
THE 501Systematic Theology
THE 511 Ethics
HIS 501 Church History I
HIS 502 Church History II
HIS 534 Women in Western Religious History
HIS 551 Denominational Polity
CED 501 Introduction to Christian Education 
CED 511 Technology for Religious Teachers
CED 520 Philosophy of Christian Education
CED 521 Psychology of Religious Learning
CED 522 Teacher as Facilitator of Learning
CGS 510 Comparative Religions
RSO 510 Church and Society
ADM 501 Church Administration
PPC 502 Pastoral Counseling
MIN 502 Spiritual Formation
Two (2) Electives