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. James O. Parker
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 (15 hours)
Social Settings of the New Testament | 3 | |
Encountering the Biblical World | 3 | |
Syro-Palestinian Archaeology and the Old Testament | 3 | |
Archaeology of the New Testament World | 3 | |
Research and Writing | 3 |
Biblical Archaeology Electives (9 hours)
course | hours |
|---|---|
Choose three courses from the following: | |
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 |
History and Geography of Ancient Israel | 3 |
Summative Evaluation (3 hours)
Choose ONE option from the following:
course | hours |
|---|---|
Thesis | 3 |
Total Required: 45 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
Applicants must have completed a minimum of 15 transcripted credit hours with a grade of "B" or above in biblical and theological studies at the undergraduate level. Comparable work at the graduate level may be considered in the admissions process. Students lacking appropriate undergraduate course work in Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, and Greek or Hebrew will be required to take any or all of the following classes prior to graduation: Interpreting the OT 1 and 2, Interpreting the NT 1 and 2, Greek 1 or Hebrew 1, Systematic Theology 1.
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.
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.
Applicants must submit a research paper on a topic in some area of biblical studies for consideration by the Biblical Studies Division. In some cases the division may require a personal interview with the applicant
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.
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.
Program Coordinator: Dr. James O. Parker