<p>I am in a rather odd situation. I am interested in pursuing the field of biblical studies. I am taking my second year of biblical Hebrew and would like to study NT Greek. Since I am only 23 I am hesitant to enter a PhD program immediately so I would like to start out with a MA. The degree programs I am interested in are usually seminary or divinity school degrees, and more importantly, I don't need to take the GRE for any of them. The problem is that I am not a Christian. I know that Union Theological Seminary in NY has a non-discrimination policy, but is there any place for someone interested in theological studies who is not a practicing Christian?</p>
<p>In my limited experience, Princeton Seminary is not that discriminatory either. Also, at princeton, you can take classes at the university. But I can’t be sure about their non-discrimination policy. You should email someone at admissions there.</p>
<p>Another thing you might consider to start Greek is a Post Baccalaureate Program in Classics. Columbia has one and U Penn has one.</p>
<p>I went to Union, and I am not a practicing Christian. I know some folks who went to Yale who were not Christians as well. I had considered Princeton, but it is more conservative, and a non-Christian might be a bit of an anomaly there. Most MDiv programs will specifically look for a sense of religious commitment in their applicants.</p>
<p>As a professor in Religion, I would, however, strongly advise you to bite the bullet and take the GRE and get your MA in Religion (not MDiv!) at a secular program. I highly recommend the University of Chicago, but if your GREs are not stellar, look at the 13 terminal MA programs at universities across the US. Most are “feeder programs” to top PhD programs, and at these programs, you can get the linguistic preparation you will need for PhD admission.</p>
<p>If you are interested in systematic theology – as opposed to Biblical studies – a ThM or an MA at a seminary might make a bit more sense for you.</p>