Advisor: Dr. Mark Hamilton

The Old Testament major is a 54-hour thesis program designed to provide an advanced academic foundation in Old Testament studies. Students will be expected to gain proficiency in appropriate exegetical tools and language as well as a broad understanding of textual and theological issues. Specifically, students should be able to exegete and interpret a variety of Old Testament texts and understand them within their larger theological contexts. Students who have extensive preparation at the undergraduate level may apply the following upper division courses (maximum 18 hours) toward this 54-hour degree: 3 hours upper-division Old Testament text, 3 hours upper-division New Testament text, 6 hours of Greek, and 6 hours of Hebrew.

Degree Requirements

Core Courses (33 hours)

BIBD 672 Introduction to Graduate Studies

BIBL 610 Advanced Introduction to the Old Testament

BIBL 620 Advanced Introduction to the New Testament

BGRK 611 Elementary New Testament Greek I

BGRK 612 Elementary New Testament Greek II

BHEB 671 Introduction to Hebrew I

BHEB 672 Introduction to Hebrew II

BHEB 681 Intermediate Hebrew Readings I

BHEB 682 Intermediate Hebrew Readings II

BIBL 611 Old Testament Theology

BIBL 627 Biblical Exegesis

Old Testament Text (9 hours)

 

New Testament Text (6 hours)

 

Thesis (6 hours)

 

English Bible Exam

All students are required to take an exam over the English Bible prior to entering the second calendar year of the program. This exam will involve knowing a basic outline of each book of the Bible as well as basic themes, key interpretive issues, and selected texts of each book.

Oral Exam

During the last semester of course work, each student must take 6 hours of oral exams relating their academic work to ministry. Orals are generally scheduled in April and November of each year.

MA in Old Testament Course Sequence