Religion Degrees Online

Because many students are interested in preparing for ministry roles while supporting themselves in another occupation or vocation, the Bible/Vocational Ministry degree program has been created to provide a brief yet balanced study of biblical and ministry concerns. This degree program is designed to serve a student who desires enough Bible and ministry training to be able to function in a ministry role in a small church or mission area, but whose primary major is in another discipline. This degree program is also designed to serve a student who has a baccalaureate degree, desires a career change, and can spend as little as one year in obtaining another degree. This degree program is available as a second major to students whose primary major is outside the Bible program. Students who have previously completed an accredited baccalaureate degree, whether at OVU or another school, are also eligible to complete this degree.

Completion of 8 hours of Bible survey courses (from BIB 105, 106, 107, 205, 206, or approved equivalents).
A formal declaration of intent to seek the Vocational Ministry degree is required as soon as possible, but not later than the completion of 14 hours toward the degree. An early declaration will help the student complete the degree in a timely manner.
Textual studies: 9 hours, with at least 5 hours in New Testament. BIB 343 and 345 may count toward this requirement.
Practical ministry studies: 11 hours, including BIB 225, 322, 323 or 327, and 425. Women will take 327, men will take 323. Students who have worked for at least five consecutive years in the practical ministry area for which they are receiving training may petition to take BIB 323 or 327 by independent study and may petition for a waiver of BIB 425. Waivers or petitions granted do not alter the number of required hours which must be completed in the practical ministry field.
Doctrinal studies: 3 hours, BIB 347.
Elective hours: 3 elective Bible hours.
Senior seminar: 2 hours of capstone course work.
Required hours: The program requires 36 hours as outlined. At least 23 upper-level hours of Bible (BIB prefix) must be done at OVU, including 9 hours of textual courses.
Language studies: No language studies are required although the student is advised that language studies are helpful in ministry.
A primary major outside the Bible program is required.
Satisfaction of the general institutional requirements for a baccalaureate degree, including the general education requirements. If a student has already earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, it will be assumed that the general institutional requirements for a baccalaureate degree have been met.
Satisfaction of the English competency requirement of the Bible program.

Because many students are interested in preparing for missions and ministry roles while supporting themselves in another occupation or vocation, the Bible/Vocational Missions degree program has been created to provide a brief yet balanced study of biblical and missions concerns. This degree program is designed to serve a student who desires enough Bible and missions training to be able to function in a ministry role in a small church or mission area, but whose primary major is in another discipline.

This degree program is also designed to serve a student who has a baccalaureate degree, desires a career change, and can spend a couple of years in obtaining another degree. This degree program is available as a second major to students whose primary major is outside the Bible program. Students who have previously completed an accredited baccalaureate degree, whether at OVU or another school, are also eligible to complete this degree.

Completion of 8 hours of Bible survey courses (from BIB 105, 106, 107, 205, 206, or approved equivalents).
A formal declaration of intent to seek the Vocational Missions degree is required as soon as possible, but not later than the completion of 14 hours toward the degree. An early declaration will help the student complete the degree in a timely manner.
Textual studies: 9 hours, with at least 5 hours in New Testament. BIB 343 and 345 may count toward this requirement.
Practical ministry studies: 12 hours, including BIB 320, 322, SOC 341, and REL 441.
Doctrinal studies: 3 hours, BIB 347.
Elective hours: 2 hours. A practical experience (BIB 325 or 425 focused in missions) is recommended for this elective.
Senior seminar: 2 hours of capstone course work.
Required hours: The program requires 36 hours as outlined. At least 23 upper-level hours of Bible (BIB prefix) must be done at OVU, including 9 hours of textual courses.
Language studies: No language studies are required although the student is advised that language studies are helpful in ministry. Students are especially encouraged to consider language studies in their geographic area of missions interest.
A primary major outside the Bible program is required.
Satisfaction of the general institutional requirements for a baccalaureate degree, including the general education requirements. If a student has already earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, it will be assumed that the general institutional requirements for a baccalaureate degree have been met.
Satisfaction of the English competency requirement of the Bible program.

Because of the lack of a specific language requirement, this degree is not recommended for those seriously considering graduate school as a future option. The degree will serve well those who plan to begin full-time ministry upon graduation. The degree program includes a core curriculum of textual, practical, doctrinal, and historical courses.

Completion of 8 hours of Bible survey courses (BIB 105, 106, 107, 205, 206 or approved equivalents); these are not included in the credit hours required for the major program and which must be completed before program admission.
Formal admission to the Bible program as soon as requirements can be met, ideally no later than the end of the sophomore year.
Textual studies: 18 hours, with at least 9 hours in New Testament and 6 hours of Old Testament. BIB 343 and 345 may count toward this requirement.
Practical ministry studies: 14 hours, including BIB 225, 320, 322, 323, and 425. Women will take 327 instead of 323. Students who have worked for at least five consecutive years in full-time preaching or in the ministry area for which they are receiving training may petition for a waiver of BIB 323 or 327 by independent study and may petition for a waiver of BIB 425. Waivers or petitions granted do not alter the number of required hours which must be completed in the practical ministry field.
Doctrinal and historical studies: 8 or 9 hours, including BIB 347, either REL 341 or REL 342 and 2-3 elective hours in this area.
Elective hours: 2-3 elective hours in the area of Bible.
Language studies: No languages studies are required, but one year (6 hours) of New Testament Greek is recommended.
Senior seminar: two hours of capstone course work.
Upper-level requirement: of the 45 hours in the Bible area, 24 must be upper-level course work. At least 23 upper-level hours of Bible (BIB prefix) must be done at OVU, including 9 hours of textual courses.
A minor is required. A student may complete a minor offered in the Bible program or in another area of study. Where minors overlap in requirements, students will have room in their program for multiple minors.
Satisfaction of the general institutional requirements for a baccalaureate degree, including the general education requirements.
Satisfaction of the English competency requirement of the Bible program

Students who plan to pursue graduate study or who would like to keep graduate study as a future option should complete this degree. This degree will also serve those who plan to begin full-time ministry upon graduation. The degree program includes a core curriculum of textual, language, practical, doctrinal and historical courses:

Completion of 8 hours of Bible survey courses (BIB 105, 106, 107, 205, 206 or approved equivalents); these are not included in the credit hours required for the major program and must be completed before program admission.

Formal admission to the Bible program as soon as requirements can be met, ideally no later than the end of the sophomore year.

Textual studies: 18 hours, with at least 9 hours in New Testament and 6 hours in Old Testament. BIB 343 and 345 may count toward this requirement.

Practical ministry studies: 14 hours, including BIB 225, 320, 322, 323, and 425. Women will take 327 instead of 323. Students who have worked for at least five consecutive years in full-time preaching or in the ministry area for which they are receiving training may petition to take BIB 323 or 327 by independent study and may petition for a waiver of BIB 425. Waivers or petitions granted do not alter the number of required hours which must be completed in the practical ministry field.

Doctrinal and historical studies: 8 or 9 hours, including BIB 347, either REL 341 or REL 342, and 2-3 elective hours in this area.

Elective hours: 2-3 elective hours in the area of Bible.

Language studies: 12 hours of New Testament Greek. These hours may be counted toward a minor in Greek and/or a minor in Biblical languages.

Senior seminar: two hours of capstone course work.

Upper-level requirement: Of the 45 required hours in the Bible area (excluding the language requirement), 24 must be upper-level course work. At least 23 upper-level hours of Bible (BIB prefix) must be done at OVU, including 9 hours of textual courses.

A minor is required. A student may complete a minor offered in the Bible program or in another area of study. Where minors overlap in requirements, students will have room in their program for multiple minors.

Satisfaction of the general institutional requirements for a baccalaureate degree, including the general education requirements.

Satisfaction of the English competency requirement of the Bible program.

Degree Requirements
The religious studies curriculum is composed of 36 hours of general education requirements, 42 hours of liberal arts, and 51 hours of religious studies courses.General Education Requirements

ENGL 101 English Composition I 3
ENGL 102 English Composition II 3
HUMN 300 Religion and the Arts 3
MATH 102 Beginning Algebra 3
SOCI 201 Introduction to Sociology 3
Communications elective 3
CIS electives 3
Humanities elective 6
Natural science elective 6
Social science elective 3
Total 36

Religious Studies Requirements
RELI 120 Bible Survey 3
RELI 210 Intro to the New Testament 3
RELI 215 Judaism, Christianity, Islam 3
RELI 220 Intro to the Old Testament 3
RELI 225 Religion and Culture 3
RELI 300 Religion and the Arts 3
RELI 309 Eastern Religions 3
RELI 310 Studies in the Gospels 3
RELI 320 Islamic Civilization 3
RELI 350 Intro to World Religions 3
RELI 400 History of Biblical Interp 3
RELI 490 Senior Capstone 9
Total 42
Degree total 120

Recommended Liberal Arts Courses
ASTR 201 Understanding the Universe 3
ENGL 209 Survey of World Literature I 3
ENGL 210 Survey of World Literature II 3
HIST 101 History of World Civilizations I 3
HIST 102 History of World Civilizations II 3
PHIL 106 Logic and Critical Thinking 3
PHIL 190 Ethics 3
PHIL 201 Introduction to Philosophy 3
PHIL 380 Faith and Science 3
PSYC 302 Social Psychology 3
PSYC 450 Cognitive Psychology 3
PSYC 480 Death and Dying 3
PSYC 481 Counseling 3
SOCI 480 Sociology of Religion 3
Total 42

Suggested Sequence
First Year Fall
ENGL 101 English Composition I 3
MATH 102 Beginning Algebra 3
HIST 101 History of World Civilization 3
RELI 120 Bible Survey 3
CIS elective 3
Total 15

First Year Spring
ENGL 102 English Composition 3
HIST 102 History of World Civ II 3
SOCI 201 Introduction to Sociology 3
Humanities elective 3
Natural science elective 3
Total 15

Second Year Fall
HUMN 300 Religion and the Arts 3
PHIL 106 Logic and Critical Thinking 3
PHIL 201 Intro to Philosophy 3
PSYC 201 General Psychology 3
RELI 220 Intro to the Old Testament 3
RELI 350 World Religions 3
Total 18

Second Year Spring
ASTR 201 Understanding the Universe 3
ENGL 210 Survey of World Literature II 3
PHIL 190 Ethics 3
RELI 210 Intro to the New Testament 3
RELI 215 Judaism, Christianity, Islam 3
Total 15

Third Year Fall
PSYC 302 Social Psychology 3
RELI 225 Religion and Culture 3
RELI 360 Literature of Religions 3
Natural sciences elective 3
Communications elective 3
Total 15

Third Year Spring
PHIL 380 Faith and Science 3
RELI 309 Eastern Religions 3
RELI 310 Studies in the Gospels 3
RELI 320 Islamic Civilization 3
Social science elective 3
RELI elective (300-level) 3
Total 18

Fourth Year Fall
PSYC 450 Cognitive Psychology 3
PSYC 480 Death and Dying 3
RELI 400 History of Biblical Interp 3
Humanities elective 3
Total 12

Fourth Year Spring
PSYC 481 Counseling 3
SOCI 480 Sociology of Religion 3
RELI 490 Senior Capstone 9
Total 15
Degree total 120

Major Requirements
18 semester hours must be from upper-division courses (including at least 6 semester hours at the 400 level). Courses must be distributed as follows:
Biblical Studies (18 hours)

Students must choose 18 semester hours in biblical studies (BIBL) courses:
BIBL 100 Bible Survey (4) may not be applied to the major
One semester of BIBL 101 Literature of the Old Testament (3) or BIBL 102 Literature of the New Testament (3) may be applied as biblical studies credit
Greek may be applied as biblical studies credit
No more than 2 semester hours in BIBL 495 Special Study may count toward major requirements
Christian Ministries (6 hours)

Students must choose one of the following courses:
CHMN 360 Perspectives in Christian Education (3)
CHMN 390 Theological Foundations of Christian Ministry (3)

Students must choose 3 additional semester hours of Christian ministries (CHMN) coursework
Religion (9 hours)

RELI 380 Christian Beliefs (3)

Students must choose one of the following courses:
RELI 401 Christianity in History I (3)
RELI 402 Christianity in History II (3)

Students must choose 3 additional semester hours of religious studies (RELI) coursework
Philosophy (6 hours)

Students must choose 6 semester hours of philosophy (PHIL) coursework