Accelerated Programs of Study

Accelerated Program

Directed by Dr. Jonathan Patterson

The Accelerated Program helps qualified students seeking a Master's degree to earn their degree at a faster pace, while saving them money in the process. Qualifying students are those who have graduated from an accredited institution of similar theological background within the last five years and have earned at least a B in equivalent courses. Students who wish to determine their qualifications for the program should provide the Accelerated Program office with their undergraduate transcripts and a research paper (preferably graded) for evaluation.

Qualifying students have the opportunity to earn up to 27 hours of their MDiv, or up to 9 hours of their MA or MTS, through advanced standing or advanced placement in Greek and Hebrew with the Accelerated Program. For example, a student seeking a standard 84-hour MDiv may be eligible to receive up to 27 hours credit toward that degree through the Accelerated Program. Thus, qualified students could earn their degree in less time and at a significant savings through the program.

How Do I Apply?

The Accelerated Program is not a new degree program and requires no special application process. Students will declare their major through the Registrar’s office (i.e., MDiv in Christian Ministry or their chosen specialization) and contact the Accelerated Program office for a transcript evaluation. In addition, students must submit a graded research paper to the Accelerated Program office or write a paper demonstrating ability in research and writing. The student’s transcript will be evaluated to determine what credits he/she is eligible to receive through the Accelerated Program. The student will then receive a record of the credits he/she is eligible to receive through the Accelerated Program, up to 27 hours toward the MDiv or up to 9 hours toward the MA or MTS. Students qualifying for more than the maximum allowable hours for their degree program must contact the Accelerated Program office to select the courses for advanced standing.

Leavell College students are encouraged to contact the Accelerated Program office prior to their senior year for guidance on how they might maximize their potential through the program.

How Do I Receive These Credits?

Advanced standing credits will be added to the student’s transcript only after the student has applied and been approved for graduation, while advanced placement credits in languages may be added once the student has completed an upper-level language class with a B or better. No fees are assessed for advanced standing credits, so students will not have to pay anything to have these credits added to their transcript once they have applied for graduation. For advanced placement credits in biblical languages, students are charged 1/3 tuition for each bypassed course. In other words, a student who qualifies to move directly into Greek 2 must earn a B or better in that course, then pay 1/3 tuition for the bypassed Greek 1 course. Students will need to keep track of these credits throughout their degree program to ensure they do not repeat courses and/or have completed all other necessary courses before applying for graduation. While the Accelerated Program office will keep a record of all student qualifications, evaluation and approval for graduation is handled through the Registrar’s office alone.

Courses Available for Advanced Standing

Currently, the Accelerated Program offers advanced standing credits for a number of courses at NOBTS and more courses may be added in the future. We encourage students to ask about any new courses that may have been added. To qualify for advanced standing credit, students must have completed equivalent courses at the undergraduate level with a grade of B or better.

Advanced Placement in Languages

 Students who have significant hours in Greek and/or Hebrew at the undergraduate level may also qualify for advanced placement in languages. For every six hours of undergraduate credit in Greek or Hebrew (with a B or better), students may qualify to proceed into the next logical class (e.g., six hours of Greek or Hebrew qualifies the student to bypass Greek 1 or Hebrew 1 at NOBTS and enroll in Greek 2 or Hebrew 2; 12 hours qualifies a student to bypass both Greek/Hebrew 1 & 2 and enroll in an Advanced or Exegesis course). Students who bypass one or more courses in either language must earn a B or better in the course they take at NOBTS. In addition to tuition for the class taken students will pay 1/3 tuition cost for the bypassed classes (i.e., you pay for one hour and receive three). Students who may qualify for advanced placement in languages should contact the Accelerated Program office for more information.

The following is the list of courses students may be eligible to bypass based on their undergraduate studies:

How to Contact Us

For more information about the Accelerated Program, you may contact the office directly via phone at 1-800-NOBTS-01 ext. 8171 or via email at accelerated@nobts.edu. You may also visit our website at https://nobts.edu/accelerated-program/.

Accelerated BA + MDiv

Directed by Dr. Charlie Ray, III

OVERVIEW
Flexibility
The Accelerated BA + MDiv Program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College is uniquely designed to give each student an opportunity for flexibility in his or her educational pursuit. Each student can select any desired undergraduate major and any MDiv specialization.

Benefits
The Accelerated BA + MDiv Program is a great opportunity for students to save money in two ways:

1. The MDiv Track allows students to begin taking graduate courses while they are completing their undergraduate degree and count those courses toward their Leavell College degree.

2. The Accelerated Program offers students the opportunity to earn advanced placement toward their MDiv, based on their undergraduate studies.

3. Completing the degrees at an accelerated pace will enable the student to begin full-time ministry faster without compromising academic qualifications. 

Students pursuing the MDiv track must complete the following phases of admission:

Introduction Phase:

Entry into the BA+MDiv program will be permitted upon the successful completion of 60 credit hours at Leavell College. At this phase, students should use the Accelerated Program checklist as a guide for maximizing the opportunities offered. Academic advisors will direct students towards qualifying Accelerated Program courses in the early stages of their degree. Students who desire to complete both degrees in 5 years should register for 15-18 hours per semester.

BA+MDiv (Upon completion of 60 credit hours):

Upon completion of 60 hours, students will apply for the MDiv program in order to begin enrollment in graduate level courses required for the MDiv Track. In addition to acceptance into the MDiv program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, students must achieve and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in order to be accepted into the BA+MDiv program. At this stage, students begin enrolling in graduate courses that satisfy the core component hours of the MDiv Track while continuing to enroll in undergraduate courses.

Masters Phase:

Upon completion of their Leavell College degree, students should contact the Accelerated Program office to inquire about receiving graduate credit for completed undergraduate coursework."

For more information about the Accelerated BA + MDiv, call 1-800-NOBTS-01 ext. 8073, email crayiii@nobts.edu, or visit the program's website at www.nobts.edu/ba-mdiv.

Faithful Pastor- Accelerated BA + MDiv

Directed by Dr. Charlie Ray, III

The Faithful Pastor is designed to prepare pastors to stand firm on the truth of God’s Word through a concentrated five-year program, dedicated to producing God-called, biblically-equipped church leaders. In just five years, students will earn their bachelor's and master's degrees; they will be mentored by seminary faculty and other ministry leaders; they will form lasting relationships with other future pastors; and they will learn to be wise stewards of the resources God has given them. 

Students accepted into the program will be required to attend monthly meetings that focus on financial stewardship, a biblical philosophy of ministry, connecting with other future pastors, and learning from pastors already serving in the field. Students will also be required to take at least one mentoring class each year they are in the program.

Applicants for the program must be 18-21 years old and sense a call to pastor churches in the United States after graduation. Candidates for this program must also be willing to devote themselves to an intense time of theological study in order to complete the accelerated program in 5 years. Those interested in the Faithful Pastor program will be interviewed by the Program Director before being accepted into the program.

Through the Faithful Pastor program future pastors will be sent out to the field faster, saving both time and money. This direct path to the place of their calling is not a short-cut but an intensified time of preparation. Students will be prepared both inside and outside the classroom for the calling God has placed on their lives. The goal of the Faithful Pastor program is to train the next generation of pastors and to send them out equipped, connected, and ready for ministry.

For more information, call 1-800-NOBTS-01 ext. 8073, email crayiii@nobts.edu, or visit the program's website at https://nobts.edu/ba-mdiv/faithful-pastor.html.

Accelerated MMCM

Directed by Dr. Greg Woodward

The Church Music Division is proposing that students from Baptist College and Universities that have NASM accreditation be granted credit for the Accelerated Program courses that align with the MMCM or MDiv in Church Music and the following courses unique to the Church Music portion of the MMCM or MDivCM:

1. Keyboard Competency in Church Music--2 Hours (i.e., most NASM schools have a keyboard proficiency test; although a particular school’s test may not be identical to the NOBTS piano proficiency, the Church Music Division is willing to grant credit if the school is NASM accredited),

2. Private Voice--3 Hours (i.e., many students entering our MMCM have completed a voice recital at the undergraduate level; a student who does not have a voice recital would likely not be able to receive credit unless a transcript or correspondence with a school verifies vocal competence),

3. Worship Band Leadership--1 hour (Some Baptist College and Universities have a worship band class; a course description of an undergrad class could be submitted to the Church Music Division for review in terms of eligibility for credit). Additionally, a student who desires to pursue an MDiv in Church Music would be eligible for credit for the complete list of Accelerated Program courses, as well as the particular Church Music courses outlined above.

Accelerated MMCM

The student who might be interested in receiving credit for an Accelerated MMCM or MDiv in Church Music could receive up to 27 hours degree in advanced standing among the following courses: [see following chart ]

Accelerated MDivCM

The student who might be interested in receiving credit for an accelerated MDivCM could receive up to 22 hours of advanced standing (25% of the current 89-91 hour MDivCM) among the following courses:

Undergraduate Studies

NOBTS Courses Applied toward Accelerated MDivCM

Accelerated MA in Counseling Directed by Dr. Ian Jones

Students seeking the MA in Counseling, whether Clinical Mental Health or Marriage & Family, are eligible to receive up to 14 hours toward their MA through the Accelerated program. The courses for which they may receive credit, based on their undergraduate course work, are:

Accelerated MA NOBTS Courses
OTEN5300 Exploring the Old Testament
NTEN5300 Exploring the New Testament
BSHM5310 Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics
EVAN5230 Supervised Ministry I
PTHEO5300 Systematic Theology I

Leavell College Qualifying Courses
Six hours of OT, 3 from LCCF1320 Old Testament Survey
Six hours of NT, 3 from LCCF1330 New Testament Survey
LCCF1310 Hermeneutics
LCCF2350 Practice of Evangelism
Six hours of Theology, 3 from LCCF2340 Christian Doctrine