Biblical Studies, B.A.
Program Coordinator: Michael G. VanZant, PhD
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies program is purposed to provide students the biblical knowledge and application skills necessary for successful ministry and potential graduate-level continuing education. Through a variety of preparatory, history, language and biblical interpretation courses, the program provides biblical foundation to adult learners seeking to enhance their spiritual and professional lives in service to Christ in the 21st Century.
Program Objectives
The curriculum of the Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies program seeks to encourage the student to achieve the following learning outcomes:
- analyze the literary and theological content of Christian Scripture within the scope of the Christian church history and ministry;
- demonstrate competence in knowledge of biblical and theological concepts for teaching, preaching, and life application;
- articulate biblical concepts in biblical theology using skills acquired in the program using original language evaluation and hermeneutic processes;
- interpret Christian Scripture holistically to provide pertinent application within 21st Century contexts.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies program include the following:
- submission of official transcripts of all previous college or university courses completed to date;
- completion of at least 56 transferable credit hours from a regionally-accredited institution(s) of higher learning with a grade of C- or better for each course;
- an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) for all previous college or university coursework completed to date (an applicant with a GPA less than 2.00 may apply for probationary admittance);
- completion of an online application and Registration Agreement Form.
Applicants from countries and US territories in which English is not the primary language must also provide recent evidence of proficiency in English by scoring 80 or above on the Internet-based TOEFL with subscores in writing, reading, speaking and listening of at least 20; or scoring 550 or above on the written TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with subscores in writing and reading of at least 50. All tests of English proficiency must have been taken in the last two years to be considered for acceptance.
College-level courses from regionally-accredited institutions will be evaluated for transfer credit; credit is granted only if applicable grades were obtained. Equivalence of course content and transfer credit is determined by the GPS Biblical Studies Program Coordinator.
Course Requirements
Required Courses
| ITDS-2051 | Personal Development & Research Skil | 1.0 credits |
| BIBL-2003 | Biblical Perspectives | 3.0 credits |
| BIBL-2013 | Biblical Hermeneutics | 3.0 credits |
| BLAN-2003 | Beginning New Testament Greek I | 3.0 credits |
| BLAN-2013 | Beginning New Testament Greek II | 3.0 credits |
| PHIL-2023 | Classical and Christian Philosophy | 3.0 credits |
| CHHT-3013 | Christian Heritage I | 3.0 credits |
| CHHT-3053 | Christian Heritage II | 3.0 credits |
| THEO-3013 | Doctrine of Christian Holiness | 3.0 credits |
| BIBL-3003 | Eighth Century Hebrew Prophets | 3.0 credits |
| BIBL-3023 | Life and Teachings of Jesus | 3.0 credits |
| BIBL-3043 | Life and Letters of Paul | 3.0 credits |
| BIBL-3053 | Johannine Literature | 3.0 credits |
| BIBL-3063 | Psalms and Wisdom Literature | 3.0 credits |
| BIBL-3073 | Acts and General Epistles | 3.0 credits |
| BIBL-3083 | Pentateuch | 3.0 credits |
| THEO-4003 | Christian Theology I | 3.0 credits |
| THEO-4013 | Christian Theology II | 3.0 credits |
| THEO-4023 | Biblical Theology | 3.0 credits |
Total 55 Hours
Graduation Requirements
The student must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours (with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00) including:
- Successful completion of the GPS General Education Core (39 hours):
- 15 credit hours in Arts and Humanities (Minimum of 3 credit hours in an English composition course with a research writing component; minimum of 3 credit hours in Bible/Theology)
- 15 credit hours in Natural and Social Sciences, and Mathematics (Minimum of 3 credit hours in Mathematics; minimum of 3 credit hours in Social Science; and minimum of 3 credit hours in Natural Science with laboratory)
- 9 credit hours in Liberal Arts electives
- Completion of at least 39 credit hours of upper division course work (3000 level or higher);
- Successful completion of the 55 credit hours of the Biblical Studies curriculum with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. A student who receives a grade below "C-" in any Biblical Studies course will be required to repeat that course until a grade of C- or better is earned. All repeated coursework to replace grade of D+, D, F, W, or X is at the student's expense.