Biblical Studies, B.A.

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120 Credit Hours

The Biblical Studies major equips students with the knowledge, skills, and character essential for a strong biblical foundation for ministry. Students focus on three major areas of focus: (1) in-depth knowledge of the biblical text; (2) skills for interpretation and application of the Bible; and (3) translation skills in Biblical Hebrew and/or Koine Greek, the original languages of the Bible.

While many students completing this major may pursue graduate or seminary education, others may utilize their training upon graduation to serve in churches (i.e., pastoral ministry, teaching ministry, etc.) as well as in parachurch ministries (i.e., Christian education, publishing, intercultural ministry, evangelism, chaplaincy, family ministries, etc.).

Graduation Requirements

Conferral of a Baccalaureate degree in this program of study is determined by successful completion of the Baccalaureate Graduation Requirements outlined here .

NOTE: Students must earn 42 upper level (3000-4000) credit hours in order to graduate. A total of at least 21 of these upper level credit hours must be completed in the selected major.

Visit this program’s information page for additional program-specific requirements.

Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) Requirements - 43 Credit Hours

The Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) Global Studies requirement is fulfilled through another course in this major. Only 40 of the 43 credit hours of the Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) program will still be required for the completion of this program.

As part of the remaining 40 credit hours of Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) requirements, students must elect to complete MLS 4063 - Church in Society from the Social Science menu.

Biblical Studies Required Courses - 42 Credit Hours

School of Ministry Traditional Core - 18 Credit Hours

BIB 3233 - Interpreting the Old Testament
BIB 3243 - Interpreting the New Testament
ICS 3503 - World Religions (fulfills the Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) Global Studies requirement)
MLS 2043 - Spiritual Formation
THL 3173 - History of Christianity
THL 4033 - Systematic Theology

Language Courses - 12 Credit Hours

Old Testament Courses - 6 Credit Hours

Select two:

New Testament Courses - 6 Credit Hours

Select two:

Note:

*BIB 3103 Exegeting the Bible can be used to satisfy either a required Old Testament course or a required New Testament course but not both.

Additional Required Credit Hours - 38 Credit Hours

These additional hours may be fulfilled by a minor, second major, general electives taken concurrently, previous coursework taken at PBA or through transfer credits.

Sample Degree Plan:

Biblical Studies Degree Plan

Note:

No more than one-third of a student’s required credits for a major or a minor in the School of Ministry may come from transfer or transient credits.

Students seeking early graduate admissions (EGA) to PBA’s Master of Divinity or M.Div./MBA Degree must meet the required EGA course requirements for the major, as outlined in the Early Graduate Admission: Graduation Requirements for Biblical & Theological Studies, Concentration in Biblical Studies . Up to thirty-five (35) graduate hours can be applied toward the completion of the B.A. degree.