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Master of Arts Degree in
Biblical Studies
Purpose
The objective of this
degree is to provide the student a graduate-level mastery of the field of
biblical studies and research, i.e., sufficient familiarity with the area
of biblical studies to serve as a competent teacher and scholar. It also
prepares the student for the pursuit of doctoral studies.
Prerequisites for Admission to the Program
In order to apply, a
candidate must have completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a 3.0
average. It is also expected that the student will already have earned at
least 18 quarter credits in theology.
Admission
A student must apply to
the Dean of the Athenaeum either by May 1 for autumn quarter admission or
by October 1 for winter quarter admission. The Admissions and Degrees
Committee of the Athenaeum will decide on the application. After
reviewing the transcripts and other pertinent material, the committee will
determine whether or not the applicant has fulfilled the prerequisites for
the program. The committee may make specific recommendations about what
will satisfy the prerequisites or about particular courses which ought to
be taken by a given applicant in light of the academic background.
The student who is
matriculated in the Master of Divinity program ordinarily can apply for
admission to the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies program at the
completion of his second year of seminary-based study.
Language Requirement
The student must achieve
a working knowledge of Biblical Greek or Biblical Hebrew. Ordinarily this
requirement is satisfied by completing L 200 and L 201 or L 251 and L 252.
Having completed 12
semester hours of study of a language, with a B average, within the last
10 years, also satisfies the language requirement.
It is expected that some
use of the biblical language be demonstrated in one’s major research paper
or thesis.
Candidacy
Before a student is
admitted as a candidate for the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies degree
1) the student must have participated in the orientation to research in
biblical studies, which is an introduction to biblical research
methodology, reference sources and use of the library; and 2) at least 15
quarter credit hours of work must be completed and reviewed by the Dean of
the Athenaeum as satisfactory (a 3.0 average).
Academic Requirements
A student must obtain a
minimum of 57 hours of course work to earn the degree and must have a 2.5
grade point average at the end of the first year of study for the degree,
or the first 18 credits, whichever comes last, and a cumulative grade
point average of at least 3.0 at the end of each quarter thereafter.
Students falling below the required average are on probation with regard
to this program. More than two successive quarters on probation will
require faculty action for the student to continue in the program. Each
student will be assigned an academic advisor who must approve all course
registrations.
Course Requirements
In addition to L 200 and
L 201 or L 250 and L 251, the student must take the following 15 hours of
required courses: B 230, B 231, B 232, B 233 and B 234.
The student must also
take 30 hours of elective courses in biblical studies, distributed as
follows:
a) Old Testament: one
course in Pentateuch, one in Prophets, one in Writings, and two other
electives
b) New Testament: one
course in Synoptics, one in John, one in Paul, and two other electives
In addition, six hours of
elective courses are required in theology. One of these courses must be S
230, S 233, S 241, LPS 302 or LPS 303.
The student must do major
research in biblical studies either by taking three of the 30 hours of
electives at the 500 level or by writing a thesis in lieu of six of these
elective credits. If one chooses to do a thesis (at least 50-60 pages),
one must first find a member of the biblical studies faculty who agrees to
direct it. It is the director’s responsibility to approve the topic and
outline, to supervise the research, to recommend revisions in the draft
and to accept and grade the final text. If one chooses to take a
500-level elective, a guided research paper (of 25-30 pages) is required
for the course. The professor of the course acts as director. In either
of these options the student must follow K. Turabian, Manual for
Writers.
Comprehensive Examination
One must be admitted as a
candidate for the degree and complete all course requirements before one
can apply for the comprehensive examination. The exam is divided into two
parts. The first part is a three-hour written examination on biblical
studies, consisting of objective and essay questions. The second part is
a 30-minute oral defense of one’s major research before a board of three
faculty members, including the director of the research. The student must
pass both parts of the examination. |
