Master of Arts (Biblical Archaeology)
Degree Overview
Vocational Calling
To prepare students for research in the fields of biblical studies and archaeology, and the combined field of Biblical Archaeology. This degree also would provide the necessary foundations to enable the student to pursue the advanced PhD degree in the field.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Charles A. Ray III (Program Supervisor)
Dr. James O. Parker (Program Coordinator/Advisor)
Program Requirements
Master of Arts Core (18 hours)
Biblical Studies (6 hours)*
course | hours | |
|---|---|---|
Greek 2 Hebrew 2 | 3 | |
Advanced Greek exegesis course Advanced Hebrew exegesis course | 3 |
Theological and Historical Studies (6 hours)
course | hours |
|---|---|
Baptist Heritage | 3 |
Systematic Theology 2 | 3 |
Applied Ministry Studies (6 hours)
**One course from the Applied Ministry Studies section must be taken in a mentoring format.
COURSE | HOURS | |
|---|---|---|
Evangelism (M) Christian Missions (M) | 3 | |
Discipleship and Spiritual Formation (M) | 3 |
Biblical Archaeology Core (24 hours)
Geographical, Anthropological, and Cultural Studies (9 hours)
COURSE | HOURS | |
|---|---|---|
Social Settings of the New Testament | 3 | |
Encountering the Biblical World | 3 | |
History and Geography of Ancient Israel | 3 |
Archaeology Courses (15 hours)
course | hours |
|---|---|
Choose five courses from the following: | |
Syro-Palestinian Archaeology and the Old Testament | 3 |
Archaeology of the New Testament World | 3 |
Archaeology and the Early Church | 3 |
Archaeology of the Ancient Near East | 3 |
Dead Sea Scrolls | 3 |
Archeological Field Work | 3 |
Ceramic Analysis in Field Archaeology | 3 |
Summative Evaluation (3-4 hours)
Choose ONE option from the following:
course | hours |
|---|---|
Complete the Biblical Studies Research and Writing Course | 3 |
Complete a Biblical Backgrounds or Archaeology PhD Seminar*** | 4 |
Complete a Thesis*** | 4 |
Total Required: 45-46 hours
*Students with 12 hours of undergraduate credit in Hebrew or Greek may be eligible to receive credit for Greek 2 or Hebrew 2 through the Accelerated MDiv program.
**One course from the Applied Ministry Studies section must be taken in a mentoring format.
***Students must have approval from the division in order to complete either of these options. Students must have demonstrated the necessary research and writing skills to excel in a PhD seminar or to complete the thesis component. Entrance in the PhD seminar is contingent upon approval from the professor teaching the seminar and availability of space in the seminar. Completion of a thesis is dependent on securing an advisor.
Admissions Requirements
This degree presupposes undergraduate preparation in biblical and theological studies. Before being admitted into the program, students are expected to have completed 6 hours of undergraduate Greek OR 6 hours of undergraduate Hebrew; 6 hours of theology; 6 hours of BOTH Old Testament and New Testament (including survey); as well as 3 hours of undergraduate coursework in biblical interpretation. Students are expected to have completed these classes with a "B" or better in each class. Students with the required undergraduate credit hours in Hebrew or Greek may be eligible to receive transcripted credit for Greek 1 or Hebrew 1 through the seminary's Accelerated Programs.
Students lacking the required undergraduate coursework may be required to take any or all of the following Master's level classes before being admitted to the program: Interpreting the Old Testament 1, Interpreting the Old Testament 2, Interpreting the New Testament 1, Interpreting the New Testament 2, Systematic Theology 1, and Greek 1 or Hebrew 1.
Admission Process
Admission to the Master of Arts (Biblical Archaeology) requires the following:
Applicants must fulfill all the normal admission requirements for NOBTS, including the admission form, transcript, church endorsement, statement of call, medical clearance, TOEFL for international students, etc.
Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree, normally with at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale, from an institution accredited by a regional accreditation agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or holding membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada, or the educational equivalent.
The Division of Biblical Studies, in consultation with the Registrar, will evaluate the transcript of the applicant. Students should evidence the interests, aptitudes, and personal qualities necessary for the particular application of this degree. Students with weak undergraduate preparation in a discipline may be required to take introductory courses or, in some cases, remedial work to insure minimum competency in that discipline. Students with strong undergraduate preparation in a discipline may be eligible for advanced standing and may therefore take advanced electives in that discipline rather than the introductory courses in that discipline. After the transcript evaluation and the approval of the Division of Biblical Studies, a faculty advisor will be assigned who will assist in the design of a plan of study tailored to meet the needs of the student.
Thesis Guidelines
For more information about the MA Thesis, see the Master of Arts Thesis Guide.
Academic Requirements
The Master of Arts (Biblical Archaeology) degree (as delineated above) is intended to introduce students to a broad range of theological disciplines necessary for further studies in biblical studies. Those who do not maintain a 3.0 GPA will go on probation status after the first semester and will be dismissed after the second consecutive semester below a 3.0 average.
PhD Eligibility
Students who complete all the degree requirements of the MA (Biblical Archaeology) will require additional courses in Biblical Languages in order to be eligible to apply to the PhD in the area of Biblical Studies at NOBTS.