The Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies(MABTS) is a two year 67 credit hour degree program in the Department of Biblical and Theological Studies. The program provides the student with an interdisciplinary knowledge of biblical studies, theological studies, and ministry studies, all of which are informed by the philosophy of integration. Integration occurs when one’s faith informs their academic discipline, career and ministry which contributes to the advance of the Gospel in the church and the marketplace.
The goal of the MABTS program is to equip leadership for church and parachurch ministry and for transformational, Christian leadership in the marketplace. It is geared toward individuals seeking an introductory graduate degree in Bible and Theology for service in lay ministry in the church, ministry, or professionals that desire to learn how to integrate their faith and their chosen careers in the marketplace within the context of a biblical worldview.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies curriculum consists of 43 credit hours of foundation courses and 12 credit hours of research and thesis courses that are taken by all MABTS students along with 12 credit hours of free electives. The student may choose to focus their free electives in a specified track. A track is a cluster of courses from other areas of study such as leadership, counseling, pastoral studies, languages etc, which enable a student meet a broader range of needs for ministry, professional service and academic preparation. The total credits for the MABTS degree is 67 credit hours.
- Core Foundation Courses 46 Credit Hours
- Research/Thesis Courses 9 Credit Hours
- Free Electives/Tracks 12 Credit Hours
Total 67 Credit Hours
Admission Requirements for the Program
- An earned first degree from an accredited university or college with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4 point scale or an upper second class division. Applicants who are admitted with less than a 2.5 GPA will be placed on academic probation for the first two semesters of study. A student must demonstrate the ability to do post-graduate studies by maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0 during the first year of the masters program in order to continue in the Master of Arts in Biblical and theological studies program.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the English Language, or by scoring a ‘B’ in an English Proficiency Test or its equivalent. The student who scores less than a ‘B’ may be admitted but he/she will be required to undertake a Remedial English Course during his/her 1st The student must complete the course with a passing grade or will need to retake the course until he/she receives a passing grade in order to graduate.
Other admission requirements for admission to the MABTS program
- Evidence of a personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord by means of a written testimony.
- Evidence of active ministry involvement and leadership in church or para-church ministry along with a strong Christian character through references from the pastor and others who know the student well (or)
- For those in the marketplace, a statement describing their rationale for choosing the MABTS program.
- Agreement with the University’s Statement of Faith by signing the Statement of Faith form.