Graduate Studies Diploma

 Not yet a student? Please visit our degree program page for more information about Western Seminary's Master of Divinity program.

Executive Summary

If you have been admitted to the Graduate Studies Diploma program and hope to use a combination of distance education, traditional campus, and possibly in-ministry hybrid courses to complete your degree, it is typically helpful to develop a plan that will ensure you use your time and resources wisely in the selection of your courses.

Program Planning Worksheet

For each required core course, check your planned delivery modality, and either the semester in which you have taken the course or in which you plan to take the course. For example:

M.A. in Biblical & Theological Studies

Exegetical Track

Not yet a student? Please visit our degree program page for more information about Western Seminary's Master of Divinity program.

Executive Summary

If you have been admitted to the M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies (MABTS) program and hope to use a combination of distance education, traditional campus, and possibly in-ministry hybrid courses to complete your degree, it is typically helpful to develop a plan that will ensure you use your time and resources wisely in the selection of your courses. There are a wide variety of study tracks for the M.A.M.L. and we encourage you to ensure that you use the planning worksheet appropriate to your program.

EXEGETICAL TRACK - Program Planning Worksheet

For each required core course, check your planned delivery modality, and either the semester in which you have taken the course or in which you plan to take the course. For example:

Discipline	Course	CR	CLL		In-Min		Campus	Sem
Spiritual Formation	MFM 500	2 CR
(8 CRs)	SFS 501	2 CR
	SFS 502	2 CR
	SFS 504	2 CR
Biblical Interpretation	DBS 506	4 CR
(16 CRs)	BLS 501	4 CR
	BLS 502	4 CR
	BLS 503	4 CR
Theological Studies	THS 501	4 CR
(12 CRs)	THS 502	4 CR
	THS 503	2 CR
	THS 508	2 CR
Biblical Languages	NTS 508	3 CR
(18 CRs)	NTS 509	3 CR
	NTS / OTS XXX	2 CR
	NTS 5XX	2 CR
	OTS 508	3 CR
	OTS 509	3 CR
	OTS 5XX	2 CR
Thesis or Restricted Electives		2 CR
(4 CR)		2 CR
Open Electives		2 CR
(4 CR)		2 CR
		2 CR
Total	Required	64 CR	My Total

M.A. in Biblical & Theological Studies

Theological Track

Not yet a student? Please visit our degree program page for more information about Western Seminary's Master of Divinity program.

Executive Summary

If you have been admitted to the M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies (MABTS) program and hope to use a combination of distance education, traditional campus, and possibly in-ministry hybrid courses to complete your degree, it is typically helpful to develop a plan that will ensure you use your time and resources wisely in the selection of your courses. There are a wide variety of study tracks for the M.A.M.L. and we encourage you to ensure that you use the planning worksheet appropriate to your program.

EXEGETICAL TRACK - Program Planning Worksheet

For each required core course, check your planned delivery modality, and either the semester in which you have taken the course or in which you plan to take the course. For example:

Discipline	Course	CR	CLL		In-Min		Campus	Sem
Spiritual Formation	MFM 500	2 CR
(8 CRs)	SFS 501	2 CR
	SFS 502	2 CR
	SFS 504	2 CR
Biblical Interpretation	DBS 506	4 CR
(16 CRs)	BLS 501	4 CR
	BLS 502	4 CR
	BLS 503	4 CR
Theological Studies	THS 501	4 CR
(16 CRs)	THS 502	4 CR
	THS 503	2 CR
	THS 508	2 CR
	CHS 505...	4 CR
	OR CHS 506 &	2 CR
	CHS 5XX	2 CR
Restricted Electives		2 CR
(18 CR)		2 CR
		2 CR
		2 CR
		2 CR
		2 CR
		2 CR
		2 CR
		2 CR
Total	Required	64 CR	My Total

Graduate Studies Certificate

Western Seminary offers the short and flexible Graduate Studies Certificate (GSC) program for individuals who desire limited and focused theological training for graduate credit, and who are interested in receiving a certificate (as opposed to a diploma or degree) upon completing their course of study. Since these credits could also subsequently be applied to diploma or degree programs (depending upon the specific curricular requirements for each), the GSC is also suitable for those who wish to enroll in seminary without making the commitment required for these longer programs. GSC students are able to select the discipline in which they will take most (or all) of this coursework.

Students who wish to pursue this type of program, but on an enrichment basis, should take the Advanced Studies Certificate offered by the Center for Lifelong Learning.

Admission Requirements
Students entering the certificate program for credit are expected to present a baccalaureate degree and give evidence of Christian faith, character, promise, and maturity. The same admission standards, materials, and procedures as for the M.Div. program are required. Applicants who seek admission, but who do not meet admission requirements, may seek special consideration from the Admissions Committee.

Graduate Studies Certificate Requirements
To earn a certificate for credit a student must complete 16 credit hours of study with a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. Students, with advisor consent, will choose one concentration area of at least 8 credits grouped around a common discipline or theme, and the remaining hours (up to the required 16) as open electives. Students anticipating or considering later applying these credits towards a 30-hour Graduate Studies Diploma or a master’s degree (M.A. or M.Div.) should consult with their advisor to ensure that credits earned in the certificate program will apply toward their future degree program.

The 16-hour Graduate Studies Diploma (GSC) is fully deliverable by distance education. You are able to study with Western’s distinguished faculty and with other Western Seminary students while remaining in your local church or ministry context.

Available Distance GSC Options
Students studying in the Graduate Studies Certificate program by distance education may choose any of the following program options. Students may also select from available distance education course options, or “mix and match” distance courses with on-campus classes or intensives to complete the 16-hour program requirements. For maximum design flexibility, the GSC Open Track program option permits students to choose, in consultation with their program advisor, from the full range available distance education courses. Students anticipating or considering later applying these credits towards a 30-hour Graduate Studies Diploma or a master’s degree (M.A. or M.Div.) should consult with their advisor to ensure that credits earned in the certificate program will apply toward their future degree program.