Concentration in Old Testament and Semitic Languages (MA/OT)
MA/OT Concentration Purpose
The Master of Arts concentration in Old Testament and Semitic Languages (MA/OT) provides specialized study in the Old Testament and Semitic Languages. The MA/OT is academic rather than professional in focus, preparing participants in knowledge and practice for teaching or researching in Christian secondary schools, or higher education where a doctorate may not be needed; or as an intermediate step toward doctoral study in a related area.
MA/OT Concentration Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Old Testament will be able to:
- articulate an understanding of biblical and theological constructs that form the foundation of evangelical Christian faith
- ground theological interpretations in the biblical text, historical developments, and contemporary context
- demonstrate an ability to contribute to biblical, historical, educational, and/or theological studies in an increasingly global and culturally diverse world
- demonstrate academic proficiency in the student’s chosen area of concentration
- demonstrate a breadth of perspective and focused depth for further academic work in the student’s chosen area of concentration
MA/OT Prerequisites
- 6 semester hours of Bible including Old and New Testament surveys; or TEDS OT 5000 and NT 5000
- an undergraduate major in Bible or its equivalent that includes a minimum of 30 hours in Bible/Hebrew/theology (12 or more in Bible; beginning languages are not considered Bible courses)
- proficiency in biblical Hebrew at a level equivalent to completion of TEDS OT 5241
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bible and Theology Core | 9 | |
| ID 5000 | Biblical Theology and Interpretation | 3 |
| ST 5201 & ST 5202 | Theology I: The God of the Gospel and Theology II: The Gospel of God | 6 |
| Concentration Core | 24 | |
| OT 5242 | Hebrew Exegesis | 3 |
| OT 8950 | Old Testament Research and Methods | 3-4 |
| Elective Studies in Old Testament 1 | 18 | |
| The following courses in other departments may be completed in the Concentration Core: | ||
| Hermeneutics | ||
| Field Education | 0 | |
| Select one option from the following: | ||
Option 1: | ||
| Field Education (2 semesters) | ||
Option 2: | ||
| Formation Group (2 semesters) | ||
| Field Education (1 semester) | ||
| MA/OT Capstone | 1-3 | |
| OT 7477 | MA Major Comprehensive Exam | 1 |
| OT 7485 | MA Thesis | 0-2 |
| Total Hours | 36-37 | |
| 1 | Up to 2 hours of the Capstone may be applied in the Concentration Core |
| 2 | OT 5000, NT 5000, and English Bible courses (OT 5100, NT 5100) are not applicable to the MA program |