Religion Degrees Online

Bible General (Tom Halstead)

The Bible General emphasis is specifically designed for those students who want to major in Biblical Studies, but are not certain about a specific emphasis, or they would like to take several courses in a number of emphases in order to be more well-rounded generally. While not specifically designed for graduate school, taking certain courses within this emphasis will certainly be helpful in graduate school or seminary.

Bible Exposition (Will Varner, Steven Boyd, & Daniel Wong)
The Bible Exposition emphasis is a study of the Word of God in its entirety, and is specifically designed for those who desire to serve in Christian ministry or for those who plan to go on for graduate work or seminary.

Biblical Languages (Steven Boyd, Dennis Hutchison & Will Varner)

The Biblical Languages emphasis consists of three years of Biblical Greek and one year of Hebrew, and is designed primarily for those desiring graduate work, either in seminary or in languages and Bible translation.

The B.A.Min. degree with a Bible and Theology major is the primary degree offered to persons who desire a program in preparation for graduate work in a related content area, or to support ministry in fields or organizations supportive of the mission of the church and the redemptive work of God in this world. This program provides extensive training in the exegetical study of Christian Scripture and the theological content flowing from scriptural sources. Students completing this program will have an advanced understanding of biblical literature, will possess strong exegetical skills, and will apply theological understandings to contemporary ministry and social issues.

Persons may fulfill education requirements for ordination as elder in the Church of the Nazarene by taking additional courses as listed at the end of this section.

Objectives
Completion of this program should enable the student to:
Identify the intended message of biblical passages.
Demonstrate exegetical skill in the interpretation of biblical texts.
Relate an examination of Christianity to contemporary themes.

PREREQUISITES
Eighteen approved upper-level hours in religious studies from a regionally-accredited institution. Hours lacking may be made up by leveling. Substitution and/or equivalency decisions for prerequisite courses or transfer of any graduate hours must receive the approval of the Program Director and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

In addition, a student pursuing an MA (Religion) with a concentration in Biblical Studies must possess a reading proficiency in Greek or Hebrew. This proficiency, which may be developed concurrently with graduate work, may be established by the satisfactory completion of 12 or more semester hours of undergraduate language credit or its equivalent.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A student will be assigned an advisory committee composed of three faculty members recommended by the Program Director and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The committee will monitor the student’s progress, direct and evaluate the thesis, and administer the comprehensive examination. One of the committee members will be designated as the thesis supervisor.

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
Applicants for admission to the Master of Arts program in Religion must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.

Full Admission may be granted to applicants who satisfy all of the academic standards and prerequisites listed below and receive the endorsement of the Program Director.

Provisional Admission may be granted to applicants who satisfy any two of the three academic standards listed below plus all of the listed prerequisites and receive the endorsement of the Program Director. NOTE: Students granted Provisional Admission must maintain a 3.00 GPA during their first 12 hours of graduate work to be eligible to receive Full Admission and continue their graduate study.

The required endorsement may be granted following a review of all relevant factors, including – but not limited to – the level of performance in any previous graduate course work and the dates of completion of previous academic work, when in the judgement of the Program Director there is sufficient evidence to clearly suggest the potential for success in a graduate level program. An interview may be required at the discretion of the Program Director.

The Biblical Studies major seeks to equip students to use the Bible fruitfully in life and ministry by challenging students to think Christianly, ultimately enabling students to succeed in Biblical studies at the graduate level or to enhance other disciplines. Our curriculum delivers a balance of theology and practical application, from a Reformed Christian perspective.

Why major in Biblical Studies?
A major in Biblical Studies provides excellent preparation for those desiring to enter into…
seminary education after the undergraduate degree.
graduate work in Biblical Studies with a view toward a vocation in higher education.

Why pick up a major in Biblical Studies as a second major?
Some students pick up a second major in Biblical Studies because…
they want to be better prepared to serve in the church as a layleader.
they want to be further prepared to think “Christianly” about their chosen discipline, whether it be Chemistry, Business, Psychology, etc.
they simply have a love for the Scriptures and want to dig in more deeply.

Overview of Program Requirements
33 total hours in the major, not counting the 9 hours in Bible required in the Core (BIB 112, 113 and 300)

3 hours in Bible Interpretation:
BIB 200 “How to Read the Bible” (3 hours)

3 hours in Biblical Studies selected from:
BIB 301 “Old Testament Prophecy” (3 hours)
BIB 302 “Wisdom Literature” (3)
BIB 303 “Old Testament Studies” (3)
BIB 310 “New Testament Epistles” (3)
BIB 312 “Gospel Studies” (3)
BIB 314 “New Testament Studies” (3)

9 hours in Philosophy selected from:
PHI 110 “Introduction to Philosophy” (3)
PHI 200 “Plato” (3)
PHI 202 “Augustine” (3)
PHI 310 “Christian Understanding of Life” (3)
PHI 102 “Ethics” (3)
PHI 350 “Logic” (3)

3 hours in Church History:
BIB 350 “History of the Christian Church” (3)

3 hours in Theology selected from:
BIB 320 “Special Topics in Theology” (3)
BIB 322 “Calvin’s Institutes” (3)
BIB 325 “Biblical Theology” (3)

3 hours in Evangelism:
MIN 210 “Evangelism” (3)

3 hours in Practical Theology selected from:
MIN 205 “Christian Education” (3)
MIN 215 “Methods of Teaching the Bible” (3)
MIN 219 “World Christian Movement” (3)
MIN 220 “Topics in Christian Ministry” (3)

A Religious Studies Minor enables students interested in Religious Studies to develop – along with their major – a concentration of courses that provides them with additional areas of competence for future endeavors. The minor could be used to enhance personal interests or could be used to help pursue further graduate work in Religious Studies or Theology. It could also be helpful for students who wish to teach in a religiously-affiliated school or become engaged in some form of church-based ministry.

The minor serves as a good complement to other majors. For example, a History or Political Science major could develop a specialization in world religions. For students who are thinking of pursuing the Certificate of Religious Studies – the minor could also provide a further incentive.

Religion addresses the experiences, narratives, and imagination of individuals and groups as they strive to articulate meaningful lives. As an academic study, religion focuses both on institutional formations associated with traditions and world religions as well as social, cultural, and political developments that evoke ultimate commitments from participants. Coursework in the discipline serves to provide students with an understanding of key approaches, concepts, and practices in the study of religion. Such study helps students acquire the skills needed for reflection upon the human quest for transformation and meaning.

A major in religion provides the context for historical and conceptual engagement with some of the most profound ideas, thinkers, and questions that challenge humanity. It also serves as the first stage for those interested in graduate work or a professional career in religion. Majors in religion have followed diverse national and international careers such as business, law, journalism, non-profit organizations, and public service.

A major in religion consists of eight courses, including one of the 100-level introductory courses. Students majoring in religion, in consultation with a department adviser, will design a program of courses in accord with their own educational aims, and with the departmental requirements outlined below.

The program of courses for each major will include at least one, but not more than two, introductory courses. A student majoring in religion will take at least one course from each of the three curricular areas, i.e., “Western” Religious Traditions, “Non-Western” Religious Traditions, and Religion, Culture, and Theory. Finally, a major will take one religion Capstone, namely CAPS 427. Requests for exemption from one or more of these requirements will be considered by the department chair upon petition by the student major.

Religion majors are encouraged to pursue off campus study either abroad, e.g., the Friends World College program, or in approved domestic programs in order to broaden their understanding of religious pluralism both globally and in the United States. No more than two religion courses earned off campus may be used to meet the major requirements. Transfer students may appeal this restriction by writing to the chair of the department.

The religion department encourages majors to consider honors candidacy by completing an honors thesis in their final academic year. Students wishing to undertake an honors thesis should consult with their adviser in the fall semester of their junior year and declare their intentions and their thesis topic in the spring semester of their junior year.

An advanced degree in religious studies prepares students for further graduate work or teaching—or for careers in journalism, government and nonprofit organizations in which cross-cultural analytical skills are important. After all, the study of religions helps us understand different beliefs and practices. Just as important, it helps us see ourselves and others more clearly.

The religious studies MA program offers a wide range of thought-provoking courses in an atmosphere of diverse and balanced inquiry. Our faculty has expertise in many traditions and disciplines.

Other advantages:

• small classes
• opportunities to study and conduct research in original texts
• various financial aid options
• Denver’s diverse cultures and faiths

The MA program explores the phenomenon of religion, as well as religious traditions around the world. It provides an opportunity to acquire competence in the study of religions, broadly defined, and in areas of special interest. This degree prepares students to qualify for doctoral programs, teach religious studies or bring cultural and cross-cultural analytical tools to business, government and nonprofit organizations. Course offerings and faculty appointments reflect commitment to a balance of traditions, methods and theoretical approaches.

Faculty members are well published and have won distinguished teaching awards. Several have served in leadership roles in national learned societies and have received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the American Council of Learned Societies and the Guggenheim Foundation.

Admission Requirements
An application form with nonrefundable application fee
An official transcript sent directly from an accredited college or university indicating an earned bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Official transcripts of all college and previous graduate work sent directly from the academic institution(s)
The Miller Analogies Test scores (taken within the last 18 months)
Three letters of recommendation from a supervisor, a colleague and a person of the applicant’s choice
An interview with the Admissions Committee