SEM.BTS.MA - Master of Arts - Major in Biblical and Theological Studies

Admission to the MABTS program begins with completing application forms and submitting them with official transcripts and two personal recommendations. Wesley Seminary shall determine admission status from the completed forms and student file and notify the applicant in writing of the admission status granted. Regular admission to the seminary constitutes admission to candidacy for the master’s degree. The basic criteria for regular admission to the MABTS program within the seminary are as follows:

• A baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a member agency of the International Council for

  Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE) or by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

• A minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.75 overall and 3.0 in the discipline of ministry from the degree granting institution.

• An official transcript from the degree granting institution must be sent to Wesley Seminary.

• Two recommendations including:

  • One from a pastor or denominational supervisor.

  • One from a professor from your undergraduate ministerial program.

• A three to four page autobiography and statement of ministry purpose. The statement of purpose should reflect one's sense of God's direction in relation to Christian ministry or service.

• A criminal history background check must be completed before acceptance into any Wesley Seminary degree program if a felony was disclosed by the student on the application form

Required competencies for admission:

• 6 hours of undergraduate coursework in Bible: Old Testament Survey and New Testament Survey. Students who do not meet this requirement will be required to take BIBL-500 Bible as Christian Scripture as their Biblical and Theological Studies elective.

• 6 hours of undergraduate coursework in Theology/Christian Thought. Students who do not meet this requirement will be required to take THEO-500 Introduction to Christian Theology as their Biblical and Theological Studies elective.

MA Program of Study (36 Hours)

Foundational Courses (13 Credits)

BIL-530 Biblical Hermeneutics 3

BIBL-580 Theological Interpretation of Scripture 3

REL-539 History and Contemporary Practices of the Global Church 3
OR
REL-510 History of Christianity 3
OR
CHST-500 Global Christian History 3

THE-535 Christian Systematic Theology 3

WSEM-551 Theological Research and Methodology 1

Spiritual Formation (2 Credits)

SPIR-512 Formation in Christian Practices 1

SPIR-514 Formation through Spiritual Direction 1

Biblical and Theological Studies Electives (6 Credits)

Choose 6 unduplicated credits from:
BIBL-500/600
GRE-500/600
HBR-500/600
NES-500/600
THEO-500/600

General Elective or Research (3 Credits)

Choose 3 unduplicated credits from:
RSCH-591 Thesis Project 1 1
AND
RSCH-592 Thesis Project 2 1
AND
RSCH-593 Thesis Project 3 1

OR

Any Wesley Seminary 500/600 level course(s)

Choose One Specialization

Biblical Exegesis Specialization (12 Credits)

BIBL-588 Special Topics in Old Testament 3

BIBL-590 Special Topics in New Testament 3

HBR-500 Hebrew Grammar 3
OR
GRE-500 Greek Grammar 3

HBR-523 Hebrew Exegesis I 3
OR
GRE-523 Greek Exegesis I 3
OR
NES-500 Historical and Geographical Settings of the Holy Land 3

Biblical Languages Specialization (12 Credits)

GRE-500 Greek Grammar 3

HBR-500 Hebrew Grammar 3

6 Credits from:
GRE-523 Greek Exegesis I 3

GRE-524 Greek Exegesis II 3

HBR-523 Hebrew Exegesis I 3

HBR-524 Hebrew Exegesis II 3

Christian Thought Specialization (12 Credits)

CHST-587 Religion in America 3

THEO-581 Christology 3

MISS-650 Sociology of Religion 3
OR
THE-588 Special Topics in Historical Theology/Church History 3
OR
THE-589 Special Topics in Systematic Theology 3

THEO-590 Philosophical and Theological Approaches to Contemporary Issues 3

Near Eastern Studies Specialization (12 Credits)

NES-500 Historical and Geographical Settings of the Holy Land 3

NES-570 Faith and Politics in the Modern Middle East 3

NES-580 Archaeology of Syria-Palestine 3

NES-600 Field Study of the Historical and Geographical Settings of the Holy Land 3

• Completion of core requirements.

• Minimum grade of "C" in each core and elective course.

• Cumulative grade point average of 2.5.

• Successful completion of the Bible Content Exam with a 70% or higher.

• All requirements for the degree must be completed within six years of enrollment.

• Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.