Biblical and Theological Studies Major (B.A.)

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The Biblical and Theological Studies major blends a biblical and theological foundation with a flexibility of electives.

Program Requirements

Christian Studies Core

I. Christian Studies - 24 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
CHM 211 - The Gospel in Human Contexts 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
THE 331 - Theology I: God’s Word and Work 3 Credits

General Education Core

II. General Education - 40 Credits

COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
FAR - Fine Arts Elective 3 Credits³
or
LAN - Foreign Language Elective 3 Credits
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
Humanities Elective 3 Credits¹
MAT - Math Elective 4 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
Social Science Elective 5 Credits²
Humanities, Math, Science or Social Science Electives 9 Credits^1,2*

Major Core

III. Biblical and Theological Studies Major - 46 Credits

BIB 231 - Principles of Biblical Interpretation 3 Credits
BIB 330 - Galatians 3 Credits
BIB - Old Testament Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits ⁴
BIB - Old Testament Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits ⁴
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits ^4,5
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits^4,5
HIS 332 - Church History 3 Credits *
LAN 341 - Greek I 4 Credits *
PED - P. E. Elective or Varsity Team Sport 2 Credits
PHI 232 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credits *
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
THE 332 - Theology II: Human Redemption and Destiny 3 Credits
THE 434 - Contemporary Theology 3 Credits
THE 443 - Topics in Theology 3 Credits
THE 444 - Senior Seminar 3 Credits

IV. Electives or Minor - 15 Credits *

At least 30% of this degree, or a minimum of 38 credits, must be at the upper (300-400) level.

* Some courses from the Christian Studies Core and Major Core can be used to fulfill requirements in the General Education Core. By doing that the number of electives needed would increase so that the minimum of 125 credits is reached.

Total - 125 Credits

¹Select humanities electives from COM, ENG, ESL, FAR, HIS, HUM, LAN, MUS, PHI, or PRC.

²Select social science electives from ANT, CSJ, ECO, ESL, GEO, HIS, POL, PSY, or SOC.

³ Fine arts courses include music, art, drama, and dance. COM 328 also qualifies as a fine arts elective. (Only three credits of music organizations and/or lessons can be counted toward humanities/fine arts requirements.)

⁴BIB 342X - Biblical Perspectives of Worship may not be used to satisfy this requirement.

⁵ Department students planning on C&MA ministry should take THE 349 as a BIB/THE elective. Students in this department should not take BIB 210 as a BIB/THE elective.

Option: Accelerated Degree Programs

Qualified students in the B.A. in Biblical & Theological Studies program may apply for an accelerated degree program to earn their Christian Studies (M.A.) (MACS) degree in one additional year instead of the typical two years. Students may also apply for an accelerated Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program. Click here for more detailed information regarding the acceptance process for these options.

Course Requirements for MACS

Students who are accepted into the accelerated MACS program will substitute the following graduate level courses into the undergraduate degree.

Undergraduate Course	Graduate Course
BIB 434 - Romans	BBL 5225 - Paul and Romans
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation	MIN 6210 - Spiritual Formation for Ministry
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions	CST 5234 - Theology of Missions and Outreach
HIS 332 - Church History	CST 5224 - History of the Church
THE 332 - Theology II: Human Redemption and Destiny	CST 5235 - Theology of Christ and the Church (fulfills CST 5223 in the MACS and M.Div.)
THE 434 - Contemporary Theology	CST 5340 - Contemporary Theological Issues

Click for more information about the Christian Studies (M.A.) program.

Course Requirements for MDIV

Students who are accepted into the accelerated M.Div. program will substitute the following graduate level courses into the undergraduate degree.

Undergraduate Course	Graduate Course
BIB 330 - Galatians	BBL 5229 - Interpretive Issues in Galatians
BIB 430X - Greek for Ministry	BBL 6220 - New Testament Greek Exegesis
BIB 434 - Romans	BBL 5225 - Paul and Romans
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation	MIN 6210 - Spiritual Formation for Ministry
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions	CST 5234 - Theology of Missions and Outreach
CHM 450X - Counseling for Church Leaders	MIN 5215 - Pastoral Counseling
DSC 357 - Curriculum Design for Discipleship	MIN 5230 - Teaching for Ministry
HIS 332 - Church History	CST 5224 - History of the Church
PRC 332 - Expository Preaching	MIN 5510 - The Biblical Communicator
THE 332 - Theology II: Human Redemption and Destiny	CST 5235 - Theology of Christ and the Church (fulfills CST 5223 in the MACS and M.Div.)
THE 349 - Alliance Ministries	CST 5222 - Alliance Distinctives (fulfills a CST elective in the M.Div.)
THE 434 - Contemporary Theology	CST 5340 - Contemporary Theological Issues

Click for more information about the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program.

Four-Year Suggested Program for the Biblical and Theological Studies Major

Freshman Year

Fall Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits

Spring Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
Humanities, Math, Science or Social Science Electives 6 Credits ^1,2*
MAT - Math Elective 4 Credits

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 231 - Principles of Biblical Interpretation 3 Credits
Humanities, Math, Science or Social Science Electives 3 Credits ^1,2*
LAN 341 - Greek I 4 Credits (fulfills Foreign Language elective)
PED - P. E. Elective or Varsity Team Sport 1 Credits
Social Science Elective 2 Credits ²
Minor/Elective 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 17 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
PHI 232 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credits
PED - P. E. Elective or Varsity Team Sport 1 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
THE 331 - Theology I: God’s Word and Work 3 Credits
Minor/Elective 3 Credits

Departmental Acceptance

Students apply for departmental acceptance during their sophomore year spring semester or their junior year fall semester. A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and completion of half of the Christian Service requirements are required for departmental admission in the Biblical and Theological Studies major.

Junior Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
CHM 211 - The Gospel in Human Contexts 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
THE 332 - Theology II: Human Redemption and Destiny 3 Credits
THE 443 - Topics in Theology 3 Credits
or
THE 434 - Contemporary Theology 3 Credits
Minor/Elective 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

BIB 330 - Galatians 3 Credits
BIB - Old Testament Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits ⁴
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
Humanities Elective 3 Credits ¹*
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²*

Senior Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits ⁵
THE 443 - Topics in Theology 3 Credits
or
THE 434 - Contemporary Theology 3 Credits
Minor/Elective 3 Credits
Minor/Elective 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

BIB - Old Testament Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits ⁴
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits ⁵
HIS 332 - Church History 3 Credits
THE 444 - Senior Seminar 3 Credits
Minor/Elective 3 Credits