Although this private school's costs are relatively high, it boasts the No. 1 return on private school tuition as rated by "Business Week" magazine in 2009. Graduates earn an average of $12 for every $1 spent on tuition. This is viewed as a return on a student's financial investment in his education. The university was also rated as No. 1 yield by "U.S. News and World Report" in 2008.
The master's degree in religious education is designed to prepare students for a leadership career in Mormon churches and seminaries, or for military or missionary service. The degree program is three years, and includes studies of the New Testament, Old Testament, Latter-day Saints history, Book of Mormon and Doctrines and Covenants. Pastoral counseling and education are also intensive portions of the chaplain candidates' studies. Students spend two years completing classwork and one year completing a thesis.
Eligibility for the Chaplain Candidacy masters program is based, in part, upon a student's academic performance during his undergraduate studies. Competition is keen for spots in the program, and only 15 students are admitted every other year. The admissions department prefers a minimum grade point average of 3.0 during the final 60 undergraduate credit hours earned. The program also requires successful completion of a one-year teaching internship with the Seminaries and Institutes system, or prior approval from the Church's Military Relations Committee. The system provides religious education and training for nearly 300,000 students worldwide.
In addition to having a bachelor's degree, prospective students are required to take the Graduate Record Exam prior to applying. The GRE is an entrance exam required of many graduate-level programs. Applicants also need three letters of recommendation, a letter of endorsement and a 1,000-word essay. Unlike most other graduate programs, this course of study admits new students for summer enrollment only every other year, so keeping accurate track of key dates and deadlines is imperative.