Nov 21, 2024

Academic Catalog - Spring 2025

Master of Arts (Biblical Studies)

The Master of Arts (Biblical Studies) prepares students for further academic work in the areas of the Old and New Testament, for teaching at an undergraduate level, and for ministry in the local church. The program accomplishes these goals by increasing competency in biblical languages, facility in sound hermeneutical principles, and ability to synthesize key theological themes. A concentration in either Old or New Testament can be achieved by taking at least 18 hours in either OTS/HEB or NTS/GRK courses.

Admissions Requirements

Admission into the program requires the completion of an accredited bachelor’s degree that includes 6 hours of Biblical Hebrew, 6 hours of Biblical Greek, 6 hours of Old Testament, 6 hours of New Testament, 6 hours of theological studies, and 6 hours of practical ministry studies. Admissions requirements that are lacking may be taken at SEBTS. All other institutional requirements for admission to SEBTS must be met.

MA Research Core - 4 Hours

GEN 0000 - Sexual Abuse Prevention & Response Training 0 semester hr(s).
MIS 5000 - Introduction to Great Commission Studies 3 semester hr(s).
SEM 5000 - Introduction to Seminary Education 1 semester hr(s). To be taken during the first semester.

Bible Backgrounds - 3 hours

BBG 7600 - History, Geography, and Archaeology of the Lands of the Bible 3 semester hr(s).

Biblical Theology and Interpretation - 12 hours

BTI 6500 - Methods and Issues in Biblical Interpretation 3 semester hr(s).
BTI 6510 - History of Interpretation of the Bible 3 semester hr(s).
BTI 6600 - Old Testament Theology 3 semester hr(s).
BTI 6700 - New Testament Theology 3 semester hr(s).

Biblical Languages - 12 hours

Select four of the following courses:

GRK 6500 - Biblical Greek for Ministry III 3 semester hr(s).
GRK 6510 - Greek Exegesis: [Book] 3 semester hr(s).
GRK 6600 - Biblical Greek for Ministry IV 3 semester hr(s).
HEB 6500 - Biblical Hebrew for Ministry III 3 semester hr(s).
HEB 6510 - Hebrew Exegesis: [Book] 3 semester hr(s).
HEB 6600 - Biblical Hebrew for Ministry IV 3 semester hr(s).

Advanced Biblical Languages - 6 hours

HEB 7810 - Biblical Aramaic 3 semester hr(s).
GRK 7650 - Septuagint 3 semester hr(s).

Textual Criticism - 3 hours

Select one of the following courses:

GRK 7900 - Introduction to Textual Criticism (Greek) 3 semester hr(s).
HEB 7900 - Old Testament Textual Criticism 3 semester hr(s).

Electives - 6 hours

Select any two 6000 or 7000-level courses from the following prefixes:

MA Thesis - 3 hours

IND 7540 - MA Thesis 3 semester hr(s).
*Note: Students who do not complete this course in one semester will be required to enroll in IND 7000 - MA Continuous Enrollment in each successive semester until the requirements for this course are completed.