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Master of Arts in Biblical Studies

63 Credit-Hours

Fully Online

Flexible Payment Plans

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Elevate Your Biblical Expertise and Understanding with a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies

How can We Get to the Roots of Scripture to Know what we are Teaching is Trustworthy and True?

Discover an unparalleled option for cultivating a robust foundation in research, writing, and teaching with our accredited Master of Arts in Biblical Studies degree. In this extensive 63-hour degree program, students delve deeply into the grammar, syntax, and interpretation methodologies for Greek and Hebrew. Further enrich your expertise in Biblical languages with courses in Aramaic, Syriac, and Latin. Committed to excellence, our program uniquely integrates a special emphasis on apologetics. Beyond understanding Scripture, we equip you with the skills to proclaim and defend the truth of the Gospel in one-on-one conversations, public debates, and various ministry settings.

Choosing SES for your M.A. in Biblical Studies means embracing our commitment to teaching from a foundation of classical theism. We believe in the essential nature of the immutable tenets of this philosophical and theological framework for a coherent study of the Bible and an effective defense of Scripture’s truth. Unlike many other seminaries, SES takes a strong stance on biblical inerrancy, making our program a unique and compelling choice for those seeking a comprehensive and rigorous biblical education.

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Preparing You for Future Ministry

The M.A. in Biblical Studies program gives graduates core language and interpretation skills that may be directly applied in a number of academic, professional, and ministry settings. This program often lays a robust foundation for further study and scholarship for students who wish to become professors at a university or Bible college. Your experience in this program will help you discern your areas of giftedness and interest, which will be invaluable for getting the most out of a Ph.D. program in the future. 

Transition to the Master of Divinity

SES also offers a Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies, which may also be of interest to you. Both programs include the same extensive training and focus on Biblical languages and Biblical studies. The M.Div. in Biblical Studies program requires an additional 21 credit hours (for a total of 84 hours) beyond the M.A. degree. The majority of those additional courses are designed specifically for equipping individuals for pastoral care and fall into the areas of Christian education, pastoral theology, and missions and evangelism.

Flexible Course Formats for Your Busy Schedule

SES provides a fully immersive digital campus experience where every aspect of traditional education is achieved in a virtual environment. Many courses are live-streamed, while others are offered asynchronously (recorded) with live-streaming components. Our innovative online education can deliver the training you need in a way that fits your schedule and budget.

The seminary-level M.A. in Biblical Studies can lead to future doctoral work and is ideal for those preparing for:

Pastoral Ministry  /   Missions  /  Teaching  /  Speaking  /  Personal Growth

Go to the Next Level in Your Ministry Preparation

If you’ve delved into insightful works by Frank Turek, Alisa Childers, Greg Koukl, and other notable authors, you’ve laid a solid foundation. Yet, you may be at a juncture in your self-guided study where you recognize the need to elevate your preparation for defending the faith. To effectively engage the culture with the Gospel, you will need a deeply integrated understanding of philosophy, theology, and apologetics. This integrated approach is the core of every SES program and what makes SES one of the premier apologetics-focused seminaries in the country. Whether you’re seeking a degree or certificate in apologetics, philosophy, biblical studies, or something else, the foundation is the same. Good philosophy provides a solid foundation from which to do theology, and both provide necessary tools for sound apologetics. Together, all three disciplines aid in removing obstacles to the Gospel (evangelism) and in building mature disciples who live the Gospel (discipleship) and are steadfast in the truth. Choose a degree or certificate from SES to benefit from our unique integration, ensuring you’re well-prepared to engage with today’s issues and defend your faith effectively.

SES Integrated Approach Infographic

Go to the Next Level in Your Ministry Preparation

If you’ve delved into insightful works by Frank Turek, Alisa Childers, Greg Koukl, and other notable authors, you’ve laid a solid foundation. Yet, you may be at a juncture in your self-guided study where you recognize the need to elevate your preparation for defending the faith. To effectively engage the culture with the Gospel, you will need a deeply integrated understanding of philosophy, theology, and apologetics. This integrated approach is the core of every SES program and what makes SES one of the premier apologetics-focused seminaries in the country. Whether you’re seeking a degree or certificate in apologetics, philosophy, biblical studies, or something else, the foundation is the same. Good philosophy provides a solid foundation from which to do theology, and both provide necessary tools for sound apologetics. Together, all three disciplines aid in removing obstacles to the Gospel (evangelism) and in building mature disciples who live the Gospel (discipleship) and are steadfast in the truth. Choose a degree or certificate from SES to benefit from our unique integration, ensuring you’re well-prepared to engage with today’s issues and defend your faith effectively.

SES Integrated Approach Infographic

In the M.A. in Biblical Studies Program, You Will:

A Digital Campus Built for You

We aren’t catching up with the online education trend — SES has been breaking ground and pioneering an immersive digital campus experience for years. As a student, you'll enjoy a flexible, compelling, and connected environment for your studies. All of the easy-to-use technology you’ll need to thrive in seminary is housed in one place and accessed through a single, secure log-in. We truly take you beyond mere online education.

Collaborate with your peers through our integrated approach

Interact with world-class professors during many live-streamed classes

Conduct research in one of the most expansive theological libraries ever created

(With our membership as a supporting sponsor of the Digital Theological Library)

Learn from World-Class Faculty

At SES, you will have the opportunity to study under some of the best Christian thinkers in the world. Many of our professors studied under SES co-founder Dr. Norman Geisler, while others have their own distinguished educational linage. Each of them bring their unique areas of expertise to the classroom as well as a genuine desire to see their students grow, not only intellectually, but in spiritual maturity as well. Here are just some of the professors from whom you’ll be learning:

Provost, Professor of Philosophy & Apologetics, Norman L. Geisler Chair of Christian Apologetics

Director of SES Ph.D. Program, Associate Professor of Philosophy & Theology

Associate Professor of Philosophy

"I am using the information I learned at SES on a daily basis as I defend the Christian worldview on the college campus. I simply could not be doing what I am doing, the way that I am doing it, without the training I received at SES. At SES I learned how to think through issues in a way that is simply foreign to most Christians, including graduates of other seminaries. I recommend SES to everyone that I can - especially my students!"

Aaron Marshall

SES Alum

Courses of Interest in the M.A. in Biblical Studies

Biblical Hebrew Syntax & Exegesis

With this course, you will take a close look at the structure and nuance of the original Hebrew in selected texts to apply your language skills in a hands-on study.

Hermeneutics

Review, deepen, and extend your skills for research and translation work through this class built to equip you for writing and teaching in an academic and/or ministry context.

Introduction to Christian Apologetics

This foundational course will cover the historical development of Christian apologetics, introduce you to contemporary issues, and prepare you to engage our culture.

Full Course Listing

AP501 Introduction to Christian Apologetics (3)
AP Elective (3)

GK501 Greek Grammar 1 (3)
GK502 Greek Grammar 2 (3)
GK503 Greek Syntax & Exegesis (3)
HB501 Biblical Hebrew 1 (3)
HB502 Biblical Hebrew 2 (3)
HB503 Biblical Hebrew Syntax & Exegesis or
GK504 Advanced Greek Exegesis (3)

OT501 Old Testament Survey 1: Genesis–Esther (3)
OT502 Old Testament Survey 2: Job–Malachi (3)
OT500 Old Testament Book (3)
NT501 New Testament Survey 1: Gospels & Acts (3)
NT502 New Testament Survey 2: Epistles & Rev. (3)
NT500 New Testament Book (3)

HT501 Historical Theology: A Survey (3)

ST501 Prolegomena & Bibliology (3)
ST502 Theology Proper & Creation (3)
ST503 Hamartiology & Soteriology (3)
ST504 Pneumatology, Ecclesiology, & Eschatology (3)
ST505 Hermeneutics (3)
ST511 Advanced Hermeneutics (3)

FE501 Field Experience 1 (0)
FE502 Field Experience 2 (0)

SM501 Writing & Research Skills (3)

GENERAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

  • Have earned a bachelors degree from an institution
    accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, the United
    States Department of Education, or the equivalent (as assessed by SES)
  • GPA of 2.5 or above for their undergraduate program

If one does not meet the undergraduate GPA requirement, he may be granted a Provisional Admission. This requires
that the student maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA on the first semester of work at SES in order to be granted full admission.

Contact the Admissions Department with any specific questions you may have or visit our FAQ page.

A Valuable Degree with Exceptionally Affordable Tuition

Prospective students are almost always surprised to learn how affordable we keep our degree programs at Southern Evangelical Seminary.

You need effective training for ministry — not a crippling load of student loan debt. The value of a degree here pays off through your entire career and truly has an eternal value as well.

As a result, we're delighted to tell you that you'll have a very difficult time finding a better tuition rate than what we offer at SES: $475 per credit hour.

$475

per credit hour

LET'S PARTNER TOGETHER ON YOUR TUITION

Financial Aid & Discounts

Built for Your Calling

Whether you are pursuing full-time vocational leadership or personal ministry growth, this program is designed to provide a path for your success.

Full-time Ministry

Full-Time Ministry

Christians are called to be salt and light in our world, and leaders should be equipped to confidently engage the ideas shaping today’s culture. Apologetics training is essential for breaking down barriers and effectively leading others. As you pursue God’s calling on your life through ministry, a seminary education will maximize your impact.

Personal Ministry

 If your personal study hasn’t yielded the growth you’re looking for, formal training can equip you to answer hard questions and present the truth in love. Being grounded in apologetics prepares you to be fruitful in all aspects of your personal ministry. Our apologetics program offers structured training you need to share the faith and defend truth in everyday life.

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Ready to Apply Now?

Start the admission process today. You can begin in just a few minutes by filling out our initial application and it will open the door for us to have an exploratory conversation about your educational priorities and hopes for ministry. We have an entire team at SES who is ready to help you in the process of discerning your gifts and calling to ministry so you can engage our culture in the conversations that matter the most.

See the Vital Need for Apologetics-Focused Education

Engaging real-world issues for the sake of the Gospel

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Compare the M.A. in Biblical Studies with Other SES Degrees

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Christian Apologetics & Theology

60 HOURS

This seminary-level degree will take your apologetics training to the next level by layering in important theological study

Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in Apologetics

84 HOURS

For a more traditional seminary degree with an apologetics focus, this M.Div. may the right path for your future ministry

Apologetics-Focus Graduate

Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in Biblical Studies

84 HOURS

Add a deep knowledge of the original languages to your more traditional seminary degree with this M.Div. option


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