One Year Masters in Theology and Theological Studies

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total.

Provide a Deeper Understanding of Scripture by Earning an M.Div. in Biblical Studies.

A Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in Biblical Studies provides the training you need to pursue a life of service to the church and your community as a pastor, educator, or ministry leader. Throughout this degree program, you can explore the areas of apologetics, discipleship, evangelism, theology, and pastoral counseling.

Your seminary degree is approved by theCommission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS)and has met rigorous accreditation standards. You can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.

Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.

As one of the largest Christian universities in the nation, we have the resources to provide an expansive and comprehensive Master of Divinity degree program. Throughout our M.Div., you will study apologetics, theology, evangelism, and leadership methods. Your deep knowledge of the Bible can have a profound effect on those you lead. Our Master of Divinity can provide you with the advanced training you need to pursue a fulfilling and rewarding career in ministry.

A benefit of our of M.Div. is that you can get course credit for prior ministry experience or a previously pursued accredited seminary degree through our transfer evaluation and Institutional Challenge Exams.

Our Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies provides the training you need to be a subject matter expert when it comes to biblical and extra-biblical sources. Throughout this degree, you can conduct in-depth studies of the books in the Old and New Testament. You will explore the historical setting behind the books, as well as the literary genres and structure encountered within. Understanding the symbols, parables, and various themes will also be a big part of your studies.

As this is a Master of Divinity program, you might have an interest in leadership positions within a church setting. If you desire to be a pastor or ministry leader, you should study the basics of pastoral counseling, pre-marital, and marriage counseling techniques and best practices. You will also have the opportunity to experience the ministry field first-hand through an internship.

We invite you to look at our featured courses for an exciting preview of the M.Div. Biblical Studies program we offer at Liberty University. You can also review the Degree Completion Plan.

An advanced course in hermeneutics, including a study of the history of interpretation, both biblical and extra-biblical.

An examination of the status of research in studies relative to the Pentateuch and Historical Books.

Special attention given to biblical introduction, hermeneutics, and the acquiring of a strategic grasp of the historical setting, literary genres, and structure of each book, as well as areas of particular critical concern.

Programs allow students to complete large portions of their M.Div. degree by only attending class one day a week.

Institutional Challenge Exams (ICE) are available to test out of foundational biblical and theological studies content for the M.Div.

Biblical Studies Degree Information.

Theology and Theological Studies falls under our John W. Rawlings School of Divinity.

Biblical Studies Graduates.

Our Admissions team is ready to answer any additional questions you may have.

Message and data rates may apply. For additional information, text HELP to 49595 or 49596. You may opt-out at any time by sending STOP to 49595 or 49596.

Message and data rates may apply. For additional information, text HELP to 49596. You may opt-out at any time by sending STOP to 49596.

Gain advanced theological knowledge to enhance your career.

The program is rigorous and interdisciplinary, emphasizing biblical studies, church history, intercultural studies and theology.

engage in high-level, publishable critical research, analysis and writing theology and its related disciplines.

Methods of biblical interpretation and it in different contexts.

You will be in courses with diverse students from around the world. You will receive Accordance Bible software at no additional cost.

Knowledge: the Columbia Biblical Seminary MA in Theological Studies allows you to delve deep into the study of the Bible and theology. It provides you with a greater understanding of Christianity, theological concepts and historical contexts. This knowledge can be personally enriching and intellectually stimulating.

Academic and Research Skills: Pursuing am MA in Theological Studies helps develop critical thinking, analytical reasoning and research skills. You learn to analyze biblical texts, interpret theological doctrines and engage in scholarly debates. These skills are valuable in various professional settings, including academia, research and writing.

Many Christian organizations, nonprofits and educational institutions value individuals with a solid understanding of theology and Scripture. You may find opportunities in teaching, counseling, community outreach and religious administration.

Personal and Spiritual Growth: Studying theology can have a profound impact on personal and spiritual growth. It provides an opportunity to explore and reflect on questions of meaning, ethics, morality and the nature of God.

Cultural Competence: In an increasingly diverse world, having a deep understanding of the Bible and theology is invaluable. In order to effectively communicate with other faith traditions, a firm grasp on what you believe is essential. An MA in Theological Studies equips you with the knowledge and skills to engage with people of diverse religious backgrounds and promote dialogue and understanding. This cultural competence is valuable in fields such as international relations, missions, social work or any profession that involves working with diverse populations.

It allows you to deepen your knowledge, expand your skill set and stay current with theological and academic trends.

This course prepares you for your studies at Columbia Biblical Seminary. You will be introduced to five core values that reflect the institution mission and ethos. Services and resources available to students will be addressed, as will expectations and guidelines for being successful in seminary. You must complete this course during your first term as a seminary student.

In this course, you will trace the structure, content, and purpose of the Old Testament Pentateuch and Historical books. You will identify key theological themes and relate the content of these books to contemporary Christian faith and practice.

In this course, you will trace the structure, content, and purpose of the Old Testament Poetic and Prophetic books. You will identify key theological themes and relate the content of these books to contemporary Christian faith and practice.

This course will guide you through a chronological, synthetic study of the four gospel records, emphasizing the time, place, circumstances, and persons involved in the events of Jesus' ministry. The gospel writers narrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God appointed Redeemer of the world, who fulfills the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament.

In this course, you will study the introductory background, structure, and content of the New Testament books, Acts to Revelation, understood within their first-century life setting. The authors of Acts, the letters, and Revelation not only relate the advance of the Early Church in proclaiming redemption globally, but they also provide the contemporary church with normative missionary documents to guide it in fulfilling Christ commission.

In this course, you will explore and defend hermeneutical principles and processes based on evangelical presuppositions of Scripture and authorial intended meaning. You will apply an exegetical method to interpret Old and New Testament passages from a variety of biblical genres and apply them to contemporary settings.

This course will enable you to understand the worldview assumptions that are foundational to a person belief systems and behavior patterns. You will analyze the culture and worldview of an ethno-linguistic or socio-economic grouping of people from a biblical worldview perspective. You will also consider elements of biblical contextualization.

In this course, you will examine the foundational principles of spiritual formation for an effective life and ministry with emphasis on personal sanctification and growth with others in a mutually-edifying community.

In this course, you will examine the doctrines of Scripture, God, Christ, and Eschatology, as well as ethical principles related to these doctrines.

In this course, you will examine the doctrines of Anthropology, Soteriology, Pneumatology, and Ecclesiology, as well as ethical principles related to these doctrines.

This course offers you a guided study in the techniques and tools required to pursue in-depth academic library-based research on a focused topic.

Academic Careers: Teaching at colleges, seminaries and universities or PhD. and research work.

Academic Careers: Teaching at colleges, seminaries and universities or Ph.D. and research work.

Our MA in Theological Studies program is fully available either residentially or online.

Classes are designed around block schedules, which gives you flexibility if you are working or serving in ministry while taking courses. Residential students have the option to take courses online if they wish.

As an online student, you will benefit from courses that foster your learning within the context of an intentional learning community. We recognize that not everyone can uproot themselves and move to seminary. For this reason, all our courses are asynchronous. This allows you to continue working and serving where you are located while taking courses.

Residential courses follow a 16-week semester format, with two semesters per calendar year (Fall and Spring). Thus, residential students can complete this program in under two years (full time, taking three courses per semester) or in five years (part time, taking two courses per semester).

Online courses follow an eight-week term format, with six terms per calendar year (Spring 1, Spring 2, Summer 1, Summer 2, Fall 1, Fall 2). Online students can complete this program in two years (full time, taking two courses per online term) or in three years (part time, taking one course per online term).

Hybrid students can complete this program in two years.

Residential courses follow a 16-week semester format and have two starts every year. The spring semester begins in January and the fall semester begins in August, with a break for summer in between semesters.

Online courses follow an eight-week term format and have six starts every year. Every eight weeks is a new start, meaning there are two online terms offered each spring, summer and fall.

The Columbia Biblical Seminary MA in Theological Studies is competitively priced.

Upon enrolling in your first course, you will receive a professional-level copy of Accordance Bible Software, customized for your studies at Columbia Biblical Seminary. It is yours to keep at graduation.