The purpose of the history and theology degree is to equip students with an advanced academic foundation in theological and historical research and integration. It is designed to provide a historical framework for understanding events, people, philosophies and theologies within the history of Christianity.
A student may earn a 54-hour M.A. in history and theology with an emphasis in one of two tracks: theology or history. Each track shares common prerequisites and an 36-hour core. Students who have extensive preparation at the undergraduate level may apply the following upper division courses (maximum 18 hours) toward the 54-hour degree: 12 hours of upper-division Bible text and 6 hours Greek.
Core (36 hours)
BIBD 672 Introduction to Graduate Studies
BGRK 611, 612 Elementary New Testament Greek
BIBL 610 Advanced Introduction to the Old Testament
BIBL 620 Advanced Introduction to the New Testament
BIBD 660 Introduction to Systematic Theology I
BIBD 661 Introduction to Systematic Theology II
BIBH 651 History of Christianity I: Early and Medieval
BIBH 652 History of Christianity II: Reformation to Present
One of the following classes:
BIBL 611 Old Testament Theology or
BIBL 621 New Testament Theology
Biblical Text Elective (6 hours)
Specialization
Theology Area (12 Hours):
BIBD 642 Contemporary Religious Thought
BIBD 680 Philosophy and Theology
BIBD 686 Christian Ethics
One of the following:
BIBD 647 Research Problems in Theology
BIBL 611 Old Testament Theology or
BIBL 621 New Testament Theology(whichever was not taken as a core course)
History Area (12 Hours):
BIBH 655 History of Christianity in America
BIBH 664 Advanced Restoration History
BIBH 667 Research Problems in the Historical Field
Thesis (6 hours)
English Bible Exam
All students are required to take an exam over the English Bible. A passing grade of 75 (out of 100) is required. All students must pass the exam at least two weeks prior to his or her oral exams. The exam will involve knowing a basic outline of each book of the
Bible as well as basic themes, interpretative issues, and selected texts of each book.
Oral Examination
View Course Sequence Here: History or Theology
