In addition to the general degree objectives above, those who complete the Ministry Concentration should be able to do the following:

• Develop and deliver clear and relevant messages or lessons from the Word of God after a complete original study of the Bible,
• Train, develop, and then lead the ministries of local church and parachurch ministries,

Program Requirements - 48 Total
The Master of Arts in Biblical Studies is designed to be completed in approximately two years of full time study.
One’s specific schedule of study, in the normal course of events, will be influenced by several elements: (a) personal schedules, (b) the availability of classes and faculty, (c) use made of Winter and Summer session classes, (d) class load per semester, and (e) one’s chosen concentration.
Forty-eight semester hours of class work are required as a minimum for graduation in each of the four concentrations. The following describes both the general requirements for the Biblical Studies program as well as requirements for the specific concentration currently available. Credits toward graduation fall into the following categories:

Foundation Requirements - 12
This requirement can be fulfilled in several ways.

1. Take 12 credits introductory graduate-level class work (9 Bible, 3 Theology);
2. Take up to 12 credits through the Institute of Theological Studies* (9 Bible; 3 Theology);
3. Utilize some combination of the above two options (based upon the area breakdowns of credit above);
4. Transfer appropriate credit from graduate studies completed at another accredited school; or
5. Successfully complete Grace University’s Accelerated Bible Core (ABC). (A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to fulfill the requirement in this fashion)

This 12-credit requirement may be waived, either in part or in whole, by those who have completed an undergraduate degree from an ABHE accredited school (or an equivalent in undergraduate Bible/Theology credit). Transcript evaluation by the Bible Division will be required to determine the applicability of this waiver. (Grades earned will be factored into how much can be waived.)
*Grace University has established a relationship with the Institute of Theological Study (ITS), a cooperative program of several evangelical seminaries. Courses are offered on audiocassette and CD based on materials and lectures by established biblical scholars. For any ITS class to apply to this requirement, approval must be given by the Bible Division Chair, and the student must gain the approval of a faculty member who will supervise his or her progress. For a list of courses that are presently available for Grace’s programming, please see Course Descriptions. Policies regulating these courses can be found under Directed Study in the Academic Policies or contact the Dean of the Graduate School.

Core Master of Arts Requirements - 10
This requirement is a common core of classes for all MA programs, and is made up of the following classes:

BS 503	Hermeneutics	3
CS 501	Personal Evaluation	1
MS 501	Formation of  Spirituality	2
TS 502	Introduction to Theological Studies	2
TS 515	Christian Worldview	2
R 501	Foundations of Research	2

 
It is expected that a combination of 5 credits from the Core requirements will be offered each semester, and they should be completed as soon as is reasonable within a student’s progress through a program. (Skills and the knowledge base of information will be important for subsequent classes, and knowledge of their content will usually be assumed in “Concentration” classes and open elective offerings.)

Concentration Requirements - 12
Concentrations are offered in four major areas:
1.  Biblical Studies
2.  Theological Studies
3.  Educational Ministries
4.  Ministry

The first emphasizes direct study of the biblical texts (hermeneutics, languages, textual content, and so forth). The second emphasizes how the meaning of those texts has been formulated in order to articulate their teachings in various arrangements and systems of thought. The third focuses attention on the process of planning and carrying out a biblically-informed ministry within varying expressions of the community of faith. The fourth concentration focuses on the leadership positions within local churches and parachurch ministries. (Specific class offerings within concentrations will be dependent upon “faculty availability” and may be occasionally adjusted.)

Biblical Studies Concentration
BS xxx	Electives	12
Theological Studies Concentration
TS xxx	Electives	12
Educational Ministries Concentration		12
MS 516	Historical and Philosophical Perspectives of Education	3
MS 541	Curriculum and Teaching	3
MS xxx	Electives	6
Ministry Concentration		12
MS 511	Communicating God’s Word 1	2
MS 512	Communicating God’s Word 2	2
MS 552	Ministry in the Local Church	2
MS 562	Leadership in the Local Church	2
MS 572	Church Worship	2
MS 590	Ministry Internship	2

Special Note for Ministry Concentration: Women may substitute MS 518 Introduction to Women’s Ministry for MS 552 Ministry in the Local Church.

Class offerings that would apply to these concentrations are made available based upon expressed interest and faculty availability. (With the approval of the Concentration Coordinators, applicable ITS classes may be used to fulfill some of these credits.)

Remaining Requirements - 14
These credits fill out the total requirements of 48 credits for this degree. While there is some flexibility within this requirement (such as the thesis option noted below), credits fall into two major elective categories: “restricted” (e.g. Ministry Study classes) and “open.”

MS xxx            Ministry Studies Electives                                     6
XX xxx            Open Electives                                                         8

Thesis Option
For a variety of reasons, some students may desire to pursue an extended course of study on a particular topic that will culminate in a thesis or a creative/research project. Completion of this option requires registering for the following two classes in sequence:

BS/TS 597       Guided Thesis Research (Fall Semester only)          3
BS/TS 598       Thesis Writing (Spring Semester only)                        2

It is assumed that the 5 open elective credits used for a thesis or research project will be in an area of study consistent with the student’s Concentration area credits. Students must seek and obtain approval for primary and secondary readers, and gain topic approval from the Bible Division Chair and the Concentration Coordinators.

Graduation Requirements
To complete the MA in Biblical Studies in any one of the four concentrations a candidate must:

1. Satisfactorily complete 48 semester hours from the curriculum outlined above;
2. Take a minimum of 30 hours (typically the final 30) toward graduation at Grace University. Transfer hours are accepted at the discretion of the Bible Division and only for classes which received a B or above (3.0 on a 4.0 scale);
3. Complete the program within five years;
4. Maintain a 3.0 GPA (see “Scholastic Probation” under Academic Policies);
5. Evidence to the satisfaction of the faculty proven Christian character and adherence to evangelical doctrines.

Accelerated Bible Core
The Accelerated Bible Core (ABC) is a special two semester program designed for the entering graduate student who has not had any formal Bible and Theology training before coming to Grace College of Graduate Studies. Students will meet together as a cohort for both semesters to study basic Bible study skills and then apply them to the study of the entire Bible and divisions of systematic theology. The class meets on Monday evenings from 6:00 to 10:00 pm during the regular semester schedule. The secret to the learning that takes place in the ABC is the cohesion and synergy of the cohort. Therefore the students stay together through out both semesters. The student will earn six hours of graduate study each semester.  An annual schedule is available in the Grad Office or on the Grace Web page.

The Grace ABC is a great opportunity for the following graduate student:

1. The graduate student who is working toward his/her degree in Biblical Studies, any concentration. This program will fulfill the 12 hours of foundation requirements.
2. The graduate student who is working toward his/her degree in Counseling with the licensure concentration. For those entering students who have had no formal Bible training it is suggested they take the ABC program. This will fulfill the 7 hours of elective Bible/Theology and replace BS 503 Hermeneutics and TS 502 Introduction to Theological Studies. This is not a requirement. Any Counseling student may take the regular Core Master of Arts Requirements and the seven hours of Biblical/Theological Requirements. The student should discuss the advantages of each track with his/her adviser.
3. Any person who has an accredited undergraduate degree can take the ABC for personal and spiritual enrichment. He/she should enroll as a regular graduate student but just take the 12 hours of ABC. Upon completion the student will be awarded a certificate.
4. The ABC is not aimed at that student who has taken formal Bible and Theology classes. That student should take the more advanced Bible and Theology classes. The student’s advisor will offer suggestions concerning what Bible/Theology courses are best for each student.

Objectives
Upon completing the Accelerated Bible Core, a student should be able to:

1. Comprehend the meaning of Scripture through knowledge of the Biblical facts, interpretive principles, doctrinal teachings, and dispensational plan of Scripture.
2. Provide evidence of the ability to think logically and critically about Biblical and spiritual matters.
3. Show basic proficiency in the independent study of Scripture via various methods and tools of Bible study.
4. Demonstrate love, respect, and commitment to God and His Word through prayer, worship, personal Bible study and obedience.
5. Utilize Scripture as a foundation and integrating component for all of life and education through repeated exposure to and application of its teachings.

Accelerated Bible Core Required Courses		12
BS 523	Practical Application of Biblical Hermeneutics	2
BS 522	The Law and History of Israel	2
BS 525	The Sages and Prophets of Israel	2
BS 526	Jesus Christ our Lord	2
BS 527	The Church Unhindered	2
BS 536	The Church Triumphant	2

                                

All ABC students are enrolled for six hours of graduate study for each semester of the program.  While the three courses are spread out in sequential fashion (i.e., BS 522 follows BS 523 and BS 525 follows BS 522), the refund policy and schedule on page 16 applies to the entire semester.