Master of Arts (Spec. in Biblical Studies)

Degree Program Objectives | Admission Requirements
Degree Program Requirements

Oversight/Location of the Program within the Seminary: School of Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation

Introductory Statement of Program Goal: The purpose of the Master of Arts (with Specialization in Biblical Studies) Degree is to provide preparation for persons desiring to pursue further, postgraduate work in biblical studies; and serves as a terminal degree for ministries of teaching Scripture in congregations, parachurch organizations, and Christian institutes. The Master of Arts (with Specialization in Biblical Studies) can be completed entirely through coursework. Students graduating with the M.A. (with Specialization in Biblical Studies) will participate in a final evaluation in their penultimate semester.

DEGREE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Having successfully completed the Master of Arts (with Specialization in Biblical Studies) Degree Program, graduates should be able to:

Acquire the linguistic, historical, and critical tools and skills for interpreting Scriptures.
Understand the content and meaning of the various portions of the biblical canon.
Learn the methodology and major themes of Biblical Theology.
Develop a biblical view of the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures.
Demonstrate enhanced understanding and commitment to personal and social holiness through practices of moral, personal, and spiritual formation, in a context of accountability to a community of faith, and dependence on the Spirit of Christ.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

For admission requirements, see the section on Academic Information. In addition to the normal requirements for admission, admission to the M.A. (with Specialization in Biblical Studies) will normally require an undergraduate GPA of 3.00/4.00 for admission in good standing to the graduate degree program. Those applicants whose grade point average falls between 2.75 and 3.00 may be admitted on a "reduced load" basis.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Satisfactory completion of 60 semester hours, including all required courses;
Completion of at least 30 hours on a geophysical campus of Asbury Theological Seminary. At least 6 semester hours of work should be taken within the 24 months preceding the date of graduation;
Attainment of a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00/4.00;
Satisfactory completion of all degree requirements in not more than seven academic years from the first term of matriculation; and
A final evaluation, in which MA students will participate in their penultimate semester.
Apply for graduation online.

DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

M.A. Core (24)

IS501 Kingdom, Church, and World (3)
IS502 Vocation of Ministry (3)
CH501 Church History-I (3)
CH502 Church History-II (3)
DO501 Basic Christian Doctrine (3) or
ST501 Method and Praxis in Theology (3)
IBS-1 Inductive Biblical Studies-I (3)
(Choose any course with an IBS prefix within the range of 510-49 )
NT520 New Testament Introduction (3)
OT520 Old Testament Introduction (3)
Bible Content Examination

Biblical Studies Specialization Requirements (30)

NT501/502 Comprehensive Greek (6)
[Master of Arts (with Specialization in Biblical Studies) students who pass the Greek Competency Exam can waive the Greek requirement, but still must take 60 hours to complete the program.]
OT501 Survey of Biblical Hebrew (3)
OT502 Grammar and Readings in Biblical Hebrew (3)
[Master of Arts (with Specialization in Biblical Studies) students who pass the Hebrew Competency Exam can waive the Hebrew requirement, but still must take 60 hours to complete the program.]
IBS-2 Inductive Biblical Studies-II (3)
(Choose any course with an IBS prefix within the range of 610-49)
Biblical Theology (3)
BT605 Old Testament Theology (3) or
BT660 New Testament Theology (3)
Biblical Studies Electives (12)
At least 6 hours of these Biblical Studies Electives must be taken in exegesis courses within the ranges, NT710-49 and OT710-49.

General Electives (6)

*Those expecting to enter the teaching profession are encouraged to take CD560, The Ministry of Teaching. Those who wish to write a thesis can do so by using 6 General or Biblical Studies elective hours.

Asbury Theological Seminary

Academic Catalog