Master of Biblical Studies Degree
(30 Semester Hours)
Purpose and History
Research done on Southern Methodist College graduates indicates that one-third have either been accepted in or completed graduate school. The Master of Biblical Studies Program is designed to offer pastors and Christian workers of all denominations a graduate option for intensive study in Bible and related areas. This program is intended to help the Christian worker to interpret the Bible accurately and to apply it more effectively in his professional ministry.
· Some courses may be combined with similar undergraduate courses, but the workload will be adjusted for master’s level.
· Students entering this program must have the following prerequisites: B.A. in Bible or Biblical Studies or 30 semester hours in Bible.
· Students who do not meet the prerequisites stated above may satisfy them by taking an additional 15 hours of Bible or Religion courses (five additional courses). These courses would be taken at the beginning of the program.
· A maximum of six hours may be transferred from an approved educational institution.
The Bible Requirement
This is a thirty-hour program. These five courses are required:
· Bi 511 Systematic Theology
· Bi 521 Old Testament Introduction
· Bi 522 New Testament Introduction
· Bi 540 Advanced Methodist Studies
· Bi 601 Master’s Final Project
Electives
In addition, there will be five elective courses required from the list of the following course offerings.
· Hi 513 History of the Christian Church I
· Hi 514 History of the Christian Church II
· Ph 502 Ethics
· Ph 512 Apologetics
· Bi 500 Bible Elective I (Individualized)
· Bi 501 Romans
· Bi 506 Hermeneutics
· Bi 510 Modern Theological Trends
· Bi 600 Bible Elective II (Individualized)
· CM 501 Methodist Discipleship
· CM 512 Exegetical Preaching