Graduate Certificate

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN BIBLICAL STUDIES AND CHRISTIAN THOUGHT

Engage the primary sources and scholarly literature with the Graduate Certificate in Biblical Studies and Christian Thought. Develop essential skills to conduct independent research in ways that promote intellectual understanding, spiritual formation, social responsibility, and global engagement. Suitable for a wide range of graduate students, this program is practical for education, public life, and church. For example:

  • Do you want to advance your education in support of your ministerial vocation in a church, parachurch, or Christian organization?
  • Are you a teacher who wants to specialize in teaching Bible/Christian thought or desire advanced qualifications for professional development?
  • Do you wish to study the Bible or theology using scholarly methods for personal interest?
  • Are you considering further education at the graduate level?

The Program Director will help you devise a program of study tailored to your professional or academic goals, choosing one of the following streams:

  • Old Testament (OT)
  • New Testament (NT)
  • Christian Thought (CT)
  • Biblical Backgrounds (BB)
  • Biblical and Related Languages (BRL)

The program will include nine semester hours (three courses) in the chosen stream, and six semester hours (two courses) of additional biblical studies or Christian thought coursework.


ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

BA in any discipline with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

RELS 101 (Introduction to Old Testament Studies) and RELS 102 (Introduction to New Testament Studies), and RELS 160 (Introduction to Theology) or equivalent, or challenge exam.

PROGRAM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of 15 semester hours (five courses) in biblical studies and Christian thought with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

With an advisor, a planned program of study including one of the following streams:

  • Old Testament (OT)
  • New Testament (NT)
  • Christian Thought (CT)
  • Biblical Backgrounds (BB)
  • Biblical and Related Languages (BRL)

The program will include the following:

  • 3 semester hours (one course) from the MABSCT Core Courses (OT, NT, CT) in area of stream
  • 9 semester hours (three courses) in the area of stream
  • 3 semester hours (one course) not already taken

The number of any 600-level courses will be determined by the adviser and the student, depending on the student’s background, preparedness, and goals.

Students must complete the program within five years.

COURSE SCHEDULE AND FORMAT

Courses are offered during the Fall and Spring terms. They are taken in one of three formats:

  • In upper level undergraduate classes, taken at the 500 graduate level
  • As directed studies, at the 500 or 600 level
  • In classes at the 600 level

*See below for the course list. Not all courses are offered each term or year.

RESOURCES

Faculty. The program faculty includes at least eight full-time biblical studies and Christian thought specialists with relevant doctoral qualifications and strong publishing records.

Library. The TWU library’s collection of in print and online resources is very strong, and readily meets the needs of students taking biblical/theological studies courses at the graduate level.

APPLICATION

Applications can be submitted here at any time and require a brief statement, two reference letters, transcripts; and, if possible, a writing sample.

PROGRAM COST

The tuition rate is currently $705 per credit hour.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

General inquiries regarding the Certificate in Biblical Studies and Christian Thought may be directed to Graduate Admissions Office.

For further assistance with questions relating to content, please contact the director of the program, Dr. Thomas Hatina.


COURSE LIST

Not all courses are offered every term or year.

Course No. Course Name Sem. Hrs Stream
RELS 500 (300) Principles of Biblical Interpretation 3 OT, NT, CT
RELS 511 (311) History of Ancient Israel 3 OT, BB
RELS 515 (415) Intertestamental Literature 3 BB
RELS 520 (320) Dead Sea Scrolls 3 BB
RELS 521 (211) Biblical and Ecclesiastical Latin 3 CT
RELS 522 (212) Biblical and Ecclesiastical Latin 3 CT
RELS 523 (423) Apocalyptic Literature 3 NT
RELS 525 (425) Pauline Theology 3 NT
RELS 528 (235) Elementary New Testament Greek 3 BRL, NT, BB.
RELS 529 (329) Elementary New Testament Greek 3 BRL, NT, BB.
RELS 531 (331) Readings in the Greek New Testament 3 BRL, NT, CT, BB
RELS 532 (332) Readings in the Greek New Testament 3 BRL, NT, CT, BB
RELS 536 (336) Elementary Hebrew    
RELS 537 (337) Readings in the Hebrew Bible 3 BRL, OT, BB
RELS 538 (338) Readings in the Hebrew Bible 3 BRL, OT, BB
RELS 540 (340) Issues in Biblical Theology 3 OT, NT
RELS 541 (341) The Pentateuch 3 OT
RELS 542 (342) Psalms and Wisdom Literature 3 OT
RELS 545 (245) Elementary Hebrew 3 BRL, OT, BB
RELS 546 (446) Hebrew Prophets 3 OT
RELS 548 (448) Ancient Near East and Old Testament 3 OT, BB
RELS 549 (449) Old Testament Seminar 3 OT
RELS 551 (351) Life and Teachings of Jesus 3 NT
RELS 552 (352) Life and Letters of Paul 3 NT
RELS 553 (453) The Synoptic Gospels and Acts 3 NT
RELS 554 (454) The Johannine Writings 3 NT
RELS 556 (456) New Testament Seminar 3 NT
RELS 561 (361) History of Christianity I 3 CT
RELS 562 (362) History of Christianity II 3 CT
RELS 565 (465) Influential Thinkers in teh Christian Tradition 3 CT
RELS 566 (466) The Church Fathers 3 CT
RELS 567 (467) The Theology of Karl Barth 3 CT
RELS 575 (475) Christianity and Culture 3 CT
RELS 576 (476) Christian Worldviews in HIstorical and Cultural Context 3 CT
RELS 577 (477) New Testament Canon: Development and Theology 3 NT, CT
RELS 611 Advanced Old Testament Exegesis 3 OT, NT, CT, BB
RELS 612 Advanced Old Testament Seminar 3 OT, NT, CT, BB
RELS 621 Advanced New Testament Exegesis 3 OT, NT, CT, BB
RELS 622 Advanced New Testament Seminar 3 OT, NT, CT, BB
RELS 631 The Deuteronomistic History 3 OT
RELS 632 Historical Jesus 3 NT
RELS 633 Themes of the Pentateuch 3 OT
RELS 634 Mark 3 NT
RELS 640 Advanced Greek Readings 3 BRL
RELS 641 Isaiah 3 OT
RELS 642 Romans 3 NT
RELS 643 Psalms 3 OT
RELS 644 John 3 NT
RELS 645 Wisdom Literature 3 OT
RELS 647 The Dead Sea Scrolls 3 BB
RELS 648 Advanced Greek Studies 3 BRL
RELS 649 Rabbinic Literature 3 BRL, BB
RELS 650 Introduction to Biblical Archaeology 3 BB
RELS 652 Syriac 3 BRL
RELS 655 Introduction to Aramaic 3 BRL
RELS 656 Readings in Aramaic 3 BRL
RELS 658 Mishnaic and Qumranic Hebrew 3 BRL
RELS 660 Bib. Interp. in the 16th Century 3 CT
RELS 661 History of Christian Doctrine 3 CT
RELS 662 Early & Mediaveal Christian Thought 3 CT
RELS 663 Reformation Thought 3 CT
RELS 664 Modern Christian Thought 3 CT
RELS 670 Pre-Nicene Christianity 3 NT, CT
RELS 671 Development of Christian Doctrine 3 OT, NT, CT
RELS 675 Method in Theology 3 NT, CT
RELS 677 Theologies of Liberation 3 CT
RELS 680 Additional Topics 3 OT, NT, CT, BB, BRL
RELS 681 Special Topics in Christian Thought 3 CT