M.A. (Bible & Theology)

Description
Leadership in the work of Christ demands in-depth knowledge of biblical and theological truth. This two-year graduate degree program focuses on classical disciplines to develop those academic abilities of students. Lay persons who want to teach Bible and theology, and ministry professionals who combine this program with the Master of Divinity, will gain the necessary resources for a teaching ministry or advanced graduate study in a classical field. The degree requires specific study in biblical and theological languages.

Objectives
The Master of Arts (Bible and Theology) program will prepare students for the work of Christ to demonstrate the following:

• Commitment to the authority of the Scripture as the foundation for the theological disciplines;
• Coherent understanding of the Bible, theology, and Christian heritage;
• Specialized preparation for teaching in a classical field or for advanced graduate studies in Bible or theology;
• Growing awareness of personal and spiritual maturity as well as goals for Christian service.

Sioux Falls Seminary Student Assessment

Requirements for Graduation
This two-year program of 62 semester hours specializes in one of the classical disciplines of Bible or theology. There are three majors offered in this program: Old Testament, New Testament, and Christian Heritage and Thought. Students will complete a basic core of 20 hours and will study one of the three majors in depth. Students are encouraged to complete a semester of studies in a cross-cultural setting; a thesis is required of those who choose not to participate in a cross-cultural experience.

• Maintenance of a 2.25 grade point average.
• Recommendation of faculty.

• Bible
• Old Testament Literature, 3 hrs.
• New Testament Literature, 3 hrs.
  Old Testament Elective
•        or                     3 hrs.
  
• New Testament Elective
• 
  
• Spirituality
• Introduction to Spiritual Formation & Vocation, 3 hrs.
• 
  
• Theology
• God, Christ, and Humanity, 3 hrs.
• 
  
• Colloquium and Thesis
• Colloquium in Bible and Theology, 2 hrs.
•  Thesis (in lieu of Cross-cultural Experience), 2 hrs.
• 
  Other Requirements
• Graduate Theological Research, 1 hr.
• Readiness for Ministry Colloquium, 1 hr.
• 
  
• Old Testament Major:
• Elementary Hebrew I, 3 hrs.
• Elementary Hebrew II, 3 hrs.
• Biblical Hebrew Exegesis, 3 hrs.
  Other Language, 6 hrs.
• Biblical Backgrounds I, 1 hr.
• Old Testament Theology, 3 hrs.
• Old Testament Elective, 6 hrs.
• Christian Heritage I
•     OR               3 hrs.
  
• Christian Heritage II
• Electives, 13 hrs.
• 
  
• New Testament Major:
• Elements of New Testament Greek, 3 hrs.
• Intermediate Greek, 2 hrs.
• New Testament Greek Exegesis, 3 hrs.
• Other Language, 6 hrs.
•  Biblical Backgrounds, 1 hr.
  
• Old Testament Elective, 3 hrs.
• New Testament Exposition Elective, 3 hrs.
• New Testament Theology Elective, 3 hrs.
• Christian Heritage I
•     OR            3 hrs.
  
• Christian Heritage II
• Electives, 14 hrs.
• 
  
• Heritage and Thought Major:
• Language, 9 hrs.
• Biblical Theology Elective, 3 hrs.
• Christian Heritage I, 3 hrs.
• Christian Heritage II, 3 hrs.
• Denominational Heritage, 2 hrs.
• Creation, the Spirit, and the Church, 3 hrs.
• Theology or Heritage Electives, 6 hrs.
• Electives, 12 hrs.

Total Required, 62 hrs.