Graduate School of Theology - Master of Arts Degrees

The Master of Arts (MA) degree is considered a basic program oriented toward research and general theological studies. It is a 54-hour degree (including thesis) providing basic understanding of theological disciplines for further graduate study or general educational purposes. Students who have completed substantial work at the undergraduate level may receive advance placement (maximum 18 hours) in this 54 hour-degree. This degree requires the demonstration of advanced research and writing skills culminating in a thesis and oral defense. The MA includes tracks in New Testament, Old Testament, and history and theology.    

OLD TESTAMENT (MA)    

Mark Hamilton, Advisor
ACU Box 29408, Abilene, Texas 79699-9408
Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building, Room 321

Phone: 325-674-3765
Fax: 325-674-6180
Email: hamilton@bible.acu.edu 

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 receive advanced placement (maximum 18 hours) toward this 54-hour degree: 3 hours upper-level Old Testament text, 3 hours upper-level New Testament text, 6 hours of Greek, 6 hours of Hebrew.

Major Code: BIBO

Requirements for the MA (Old Testament) are:

1. 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, 612 Elementary New Testament Greek I, II
   BHEB 671, 672 Introduction to Hebrew I, II
   BHEB 681, 682 Intermediate Hebrew Readings I, II
   BIBL 611 Old Testament Theology
   BIBL 627 Biblical Exegesis
2. Old Testament text, 9 hours
3. New Testament text, 6 hourS
4. Thesis, 6 hours
5. English Bible exam
6. Oral exam

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NEW TESTAMENT (MA)    

James Thompson, Advisor
ACU Box 29453, Abilene, Texas 79699-9453
Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building, Room 284

Phone: 325-674-3781
Fax: 325-674-6180
Email: thompson@bible.acu.edu  

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

Major Code: BIBN

Requirements for the MA (New Testament) are:

1. Core courses, 30 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, 612 Elementary New Testament Greek I, II
   BHEB 671, 672 Introduction to Hebrew I, II
   BIBH 651 History of Christianity
   BIBD 660 Introduction to Systematic Theology
   BIBL 627 Biblical Exegesis
2. Specialized courses, 18 hours:
   BGRK 621 Intermediate Greek
   BIBL 662 Backgrounds of the New Testament and Early Christianity
   BGRK 623 Seminar in the Gospels
   BGRK 624 Exegetical Seminar in Acts
   BGRK 625 Exegetical Seminars in the Epistles
   BGRK 628 Seminar in New Testament Textual Criticism
3. Thesis, 6 hours: consult with advisor.
4. English Bible exam.
5. Oral exam.

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HISTORY AND THEOLOGY (MA)    

Douglas Foster, Advisor-History Track
ACU Box 29429, Abilene, Texas 79699-9429
Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building, Room 313

Phone: 325-674-3730
Fax: 325-674-6180
Email: foster@bible.acu.edu

Frederick Aquino, Advisor-Theology Track
ACU Box 29406, Abilene, Texas 79699-9406
Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building, Room 316

Phone: 325-674-3789
Fax: 325-674-6180
Email: aquino@bible.acu.edu  

The history and theology major is a 54-hour thesis program designed 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. The student may select an emphasis in one of two areas: theology or history. Each area shares common prerequisites and an 18-hour core. Students who have extensive preparation at the undergraduate level may receive advanced placement (maximum 18 hours) toward this 54-hour degree: 12 hours of upper-level Bible text and 6 hours of Greek.

Major Code: BHTH

Requirements for the MA (history and theology) are:

1. Core courses, 36 hours: 
   BIBD 672 Introduction to Graduate Studies
   BGRK 611, 612 Elementary New Testament Greek I, II
   BIBL 610 Advanced Introduction to the Old Testament
   BIBL 620 Advanced Introduction to the New Testament
   BIBD 660 Introduction to Systematic Theology
   BIBD 661Theological Explorations
   BIBH 651, 652 History of Christianity I, II
   BIBL 611 Old Testament Theology or
         BIBL 62l New Testament Theology
   6 hours biblical text
2. Specialization, 12 hours:
       a. Theology track
            BIBD 642 Contemporary Religious Thought
            BIBD 678 Introduction to Philosophy of Religion
            BIBD 686 Christian Ethics
            Selection, 3 hours:
            BIBD 647 Research Problems in Theology,
            BIBL 611 Old Testament Theology or
                   BIBL 621New Testament Theology (if not taken in core)
   
       b. History track
              BIBH 655 History of Christianity in America
              BIBH664 Advanced Restoration History
              BIBH 667 Research Problems in Church History
              Selection, 3 hours:
              HIST 574 Recent Europe or
                    HIST 582 The American South
             Thesis, 6 hours.
3. English Bible exam.
4. Oral exam.

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