MA (Biblical and Theological Studies)
The study of the Bible, spiritual formation, and Church history leads you to a richer experience of God, as well as the ability and desire to communicate His glory to others. The MA (Biblical and Theological Studies) offers you the chance to build a theological understanding rooted in a thorough investigation of the Scriptures, with an eye toward gospel-centered transformation. You'll develop into an informed theologian for work as a ministry leader, teaching pastor, or educator. And if your ministry work has already given you a toolbox full of ministry skills, this program will complement your work with a more robust theological framework to direct the way you serve. This blend of training also serves as an excellent foundation for later doctoral studies.
Credits56 |
Months24 Graduate in as few as two years |
Online?Yes
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Locations |
What Sets Our Bible and Theology Training Apart?
- An emphasis on Gospel-centrality and biblical theology, and how they shape your approach to ministry
- Develop your own theological position directly from the Bible, rather than adopting an institutional doctrinal position
- Visit either Israel or Greece and Turkey on faculty-led study tours for elective credit
Curriculum
See a list of courses
Foundational Studies: 12 credits | ||
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BT501 | Hermeneutics | 2 |
BT502 | Understanding Biblical Theology | 2 |
CS501 | Learning to Love God and Others | 2 |
CS502 | Growing in Prayer and Other Key Spiritual Disciplines | 2 |
MF501 | Introduction to Theological Study and Ministry Formation | 2 |
ML506 | Ministerial Ethics | 2 |
Biblical Studies: 12 credits | ||
BL501 | Interpreting Genesis to Song of Solomon | 4 |
BL502 | Interpreting the Prophets and Gospel | 4 |
BL503 | Interpreting Acts to Revelation | 4 |
Theological Studies: 12 credits | ||
TH501 |
Knowing the Living God: Theology I | 4 |
TH502 | Glorifying the Word of Life: Theology II | 4 |
TH503 | Living as the Community of the Spirit: Theology III | 4 |
Church History: 2 credits | ||
CH502 | Learning from Church History | 2 |
Program Electives: 12 credits | ||
With advisor's consent, select courses from BL, BT, CH, NT, OT or TH prefixes. Students are encouraged to consider using part of these electives for study in the biblical languages. Students may request permission from the program director to write a thesis as part of their electives. |
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Open Electives: 6 credits |
Specialize Your Ministry Studies
Increase the relevance of your training by tailoring it to your ministry context. Work with your academic advisor to develop a concentration in a given area of specialization. Specialized areas of study include (but are not limited to):
- Biblical Languages
- Biblical/Theological Studies
- Chaplaincy
- Coaching
- Exegetical Studies
- Pastoral Studies
- Women's Transformational Leadership
Accessible Scheduling
Whether you hope to enroll at a part-time or full-time pace, on-campus or online, we provide many pathways to accomplish your ministry training goals while you continue to focus on the people, priorities, and places which God has already put in front of you.
Theological Education That Keeps Debt Down
Ministry work can bring limited financial reward. That's why we encourage wise financial stewardship as you pay for school. It might surprise you to learn that a minority of our students utilize loans, with most choosing instead to pay out of pocket, with scholarships, or via a monthly payment plan. Look into your options for financial aid.
MA (Biblical and Theological Studies) Admission Requirements
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- A completed application for admission and all admissions materials
If you do not meet one of these requirements, contact an Admissions Counselor to explore alternative MA (Biblical and Theological Studies) admission options.