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 |
Years2 Graduate in as few as two years |
Online?Yes
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LocationsPortland |
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 the Holy Land on faculty-led study tours for elective credit
- The option to complete the Exegetical Track for those wanting to go deeper in the Biblical languages
Curriculum
Course List
| Foundational Studies: 12 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| BT501 | Hermeneutics | 2 |
| BT502 | Understanding Biblical Theology | 2 |
| CS501 | Introduction to Christian Spirituality | 2 |
| CS502 | Practicing Christian Spirituality | 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 | ||
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With the 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. |
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| Open Electives: 6 credits | ||
Exegetical Track
For those students who desire to gain a deep grasp of the biblical languages, Western now offers the Exegetical Track. This track is tailored for students interested in ThM or PhD-level education. Highlights include:
- This track has 62 credits
- Students in the exegetical track are advised to take spiritual formation classes (CS501, 502, MF501) and RE500 within their first year.
- Students in this track will follow a strict schedule, with four credits in church history, the full language track including Greek and Hebrew Exegesis.
- This track highlights the commitment to the Biblical languages at Western.
- This track is tailored for students interested in Th.M. or Ph.D. level education.
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.
Schedule OptionsCome to Threshold
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.
