Master of Arts, Biblical Studies (BIBST.MA)

36 Hour Program Requirements for the M.A. in Biblical Studies

 

Graduate Studies Orientation - Required: 0 Credit Hours

• BIBL 500 - Graduate Studies Orientation  (0 Credit Hours)

Core Courses: Total Hours: 9

• BIBL 550 - Biblical Criticism/ Hermeneutics (3 Credit Hours)
• THEO 554 - Early Christian Doctrine (3 Credit Hours)
• PHIL 571 - Religious Epistemology (3 Credit Hours)

Major Concentration: Biblical Studies Courses - Total Hours: 12

Minor Concentration: Theological Studies Courses - Total Hours: 6

Language Requirement: Total Hours: 6

• GREK 511 - Intermediate New Testament Greek (3 Credit Hours)
• GREK 512 - Intermediate New Testament Greek (3 Credit Hours)

OR

• HEBR 501 - Elementary Biblical Hebrew (3 Credit Hours)
• HEBR 502 - Readings in Biblical Hebrew (3 Credit Hours)

Area Exam or Thesis: Total Hours: 3

Total Hours in Program: 36

48 Hour Program Requirements for the M.A. in Biblical Studies

Each applicant’s background and coursework (especially in the area of humanities, philosophy, and religion) will be evaluated by the M.A. Committee for the Graduate Programs in Biblical and Theological Studies. Applicants accepted into the 48 hour program will be required to take 48 hours of coursework, that is, the regular 36 hour program plus 12 hours of studies as assigned by the Director in order to rectify deficiencies in undergraduate preparation. Whatever courses may be recommended to prepare the student for graduate work within these disciplines will be taken at the beginning of the student’s course of study, and may be taken concurrently with certain other courses within the graduate program.

Biblical Greek Requirement

For students pursuing the Biblical Studies degree, first-year Greek is a requirement that must be completed within the first year of the graduate program by those who enter without a successful year of biblical Greek on their transcript. These students will audit the entirety of first-year Greek and must pass the final exam with a 70% or better. This can take place in the summer semester before fall matriculation, or over the course of a fall and spring semester. This prerequisite does not count as credit towards the 36 or 48 hours needed to complete the degree, but is an entry level requirement of all students in the Biblical Studies track.

• GREK 501 - Elementary New Testament Greek (3 Credit Hours)
• GREK 502 - Elementary New Testament Greek (3 Credit Hours)

Admission

The following application materials must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies in order to be considered for entry into the program:

1. A completed Lee University Application to Graduate Studies (applytolee.com) and pay the $25 application fee (non-refundable).
2. Official transcripts of all college work. An applicant should have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Accreditation must be from a regional accrediting association (in the USA) or from ABHE (the Association for Biblical Higher Education).
3. Three recommendation forms and letters of reference (two academic and one personal).
4. Scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE Institutional Code: 1401) that are no more than five years old.
5. A Statement of Intent narrative, which briefly details the student’s personal and professional journey that has led them to apply to the program.
6. An academic research paper (7-20 pages in length), which offers evidence of the applicant’s research and writing skills.
7. An interview, either by phone or in person, with the Director of Graduate Programs in Biblical and Theological Studies or a designated faculty member of the program.
8. MMR Immunization Verification (if born after January 1, 1957). The Certificate of Immunization form (leeuniversity.edu/uploadedFiles/Content/health-clinic/ImmunizationForms.pdf) must be completed and signed by a licensed health care provider and returned to the Lee University Health Clinic prior to registration.
9. Proof of Chicken Pox Immunity (Required for all full-time students born after 1979).

Application Deadlines

Summer or Fall Admission

In order to receive priority consideration for any available scholarships or Teaching Assistantship positions, completed applications must be received by February 1 for the upcoming school year. Applications after this priority deadline are welcome, but it is then advisable to submit a completed application by April 1 in order to allow time for the University and program admissions committee to process the applications. Applications will continue to be considered even after April 1, but review of them will be limited.

Spring Admission

Applications for spring matriculation are welcome, and it is advisable to submit a completed application by November 1 in order to allow time for the University and program admissions committee to process the applications. Applications will continue to be considered even after November 1, but review of them will be limited.

Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships

Each student accepted into the program receives an automatic ministerial tuition discount. In addition to this, the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies program offers several other merit based scholarships to first year students. To receive priority consideration for these scholarships, completed applications must be received by February 1 for the impending school year.

The Master of Arts in Biblical Studies program also makes available several Teaching Assistantship positions for first-year students. Selected students receive an invaluable opportunity to observe, participate, and reflect on the pedagogical process with an assigned professor over the course of a year. These positions come with a stipend and may be renewable for up to two years. To receive priority consideration for these Assistantships, completed applications must be received by February 1 for the impending school year.

International Students

The university is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students on an F-1 visa. International applicants are expected to apply well in advance of their projected beginning date. All academic records and other credentials must be accompanied by an official English translation. If transfer credit from an institution outside the United States is desired, an evaluation from World Education Services (WES) must be submitted (refer to the “Transfer Credit” section under Graduate Academic Policies for additional information).

In addition to general admissions requirements, international students must supply the following:

1. TOEFL Scores: All applicants who are not native speakers of English and who will be attending the university on a student visa, and who are not graduates of an American college or university, are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Information on this test can be attained by writing to TOEFL Educational Testing Service; Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, U.S.A. (or go to www.toefl.org). All test scores should be sent directly from the testing agency to Lee University (Lee University Code: 1401). To be admitted to Lee University graduate studies without English remediation, a minimum TOEFL score of 61(iBT) is required. Remediation requirements are determined by the individual graduate programs.
2. Financial Statement: An applicant on an F-1 student visa must supply, on the form provided by the university, sufficient evidence of financial support for the applicant and all members of his/her family who will accompany the applicant to Lee. This requires that the applicant certify that his/her intent is to attend full time and that no employment will be required.

All of the above credentials must be received and approved before a SEVIS Form I-20 can be issued to the applicant.  More information can be found in the Graduate International Student Booklet.

Completion Requirements

1. 36 Credit Hours/48 Credit Hours 
2. After all coursework for the M.A. in Biblical Studies degree is completed with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, students will be allowed one semester to complete their thesis or comprehensive area exam. If the thesis or exam is not completed during that semester, students will enroll in GRAD-599 and will be charged regular registration fees for each fall and/or spring semester in which a continuation is required. (Enrollment in this course will not be required over a summer semester unless collaborative work between the supervising professor and student is planned).
3. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 throughout the program. A student whose GPA drops below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and could be removed from the program altogether. No student will be allowed to graduate from the program with less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
4. The degree must be completed within four years of its inception. Exceptions to this will be evaluated by the M.A. Committee and the Director of Graduate Programs in Biblical and Theological Studies. 

Non-degree Seeking and Special Students

With approval by the Director of Graduate Programs in Biblical and Theological Studies, students may register for non-degree or special status without being formally admitted into candidacy in the M.A. program. Such students may take a total of nine credit hours from courses offered in the program.

Transfer Credit

A student may transfer up to six hours credit from an approved graduate institution or seminary. The courses must have been in the areas of Bible and/or theology and must be approved by the Director of Graduate Programs in Biblical and Theological Studies. To remain in compliance with university graduate program standards, any grades considered for transfer must be a “B” or better. In addition, transfer students need to be interviewed by the Director before admittance into the program.

M.A. Committee for the Graduate Programs in Biblical and Theological Studies

Under the supervision of the Department of Theology and the Dean of the School of Religion, the M.A. Committee for the Graduate Programs in Biblical and Theological Studies oversees the entire course of study for the M.A. in Biblical Studies. The committee considers all needed changes and makes recommendations to the Department of Theology and the Graduate Council; it serves as the Admissions Committee and reviews candidacy.

For More Information Contact:

Office: School of Religion 150-F

Call: 423.303.5104

E-mail: mabts@leeuniversity.edu