Best Master's in Biblical Studies Degree Programs

A bachelor's degree in religion, biblical studies, or theology may the most obvious undergraduate degree for students who want to go on to seek a master's degree in biblical studies, but they're far from the only good options. A bachelor's degree in English or a bachelor's degree in comparative literature trains undergraduates to look closely at texts they study, which can be of great use to a student pursuing a master's in biblical studies. A bachelor's in a relevant history degree or in a social science could also be a good option.

Biblical studies master's programs generally require a bachelor's degree. A GPA score of around 2.75 is generally the requirement, though the higher your GPA, the better. Examinations such as the GRE are not generally required.

Of particular importance in your application will be your letters of recommendation, which (especially at a religiously oriented university) may require letters from an ecclesiastical or religious official in addition to an academic one. Some programs will require a statement of faith, in which prospective students avow their religious beliefs. Relevant work or volunteer experience, such as in a youth ministry, would also be valuable.

Some people choose to pursue careers, and by extension, degrees, based on factors such as salary or potential of advancement. Others choose careers based on what they can contribute to society. For many people of faith, religion is a way to do just that. A master's in biblical studies aims to provide students with the religious education to help others who are on a journey to acquire faith and find a religious sense of purpose; it also frequently imparts the skills to help others overcome life's challenges and find a path to successful living. A master's in biblical studies prepares you for a life of serving your neighbor.

If your goal in completing a master's program in biblical studies is to work within a specific denomination, it would be best to choose a program at a university that aligns with your denomination (Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, etc). This both allows you to avoid any theological incongruence with faculty and provides you with a better networking system to find opportunities after graduation within your chosen faith community. You might also look for schools with accreditation from the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). The ABHE is one of the more respected accreditation bodies in the field; they vet programs based on the rigor of the curriculum, the quality of the faculty and other criteria related to religious education.

Students will study the Bible's background and history as well as its religious precepts. Courses in theology will also likely be important, and many programs will offer courses in pastoral ministry.

Biblical Studies Foundational Courses

• The Old Testament. This course offers an overview of the Old Testament, from Genesis through Malachi. It will involve the study of the origin of the Jewish religion and its doctrines and teachings. Prominent figures of study will include Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.
• The New Testament. In comparison with the Old Testament introductory course, the New Testament course will likely cover more of the historic context of this portion of the Bible, for example, learning about the interactions between the Roman empire and the Jewish nation. Its primary focus, however, will be early Christian teachings.
• Theology. Theology courses focus more substantially on religious tenets and dogma. In contrast to the Old and New Testament courses, it will pull from all areas of the Bible at once in a topic-based approach.
• History of Christianity. This course is typically an overview of the development of Christianity after its New Testament origins, likely following the expansion of Christianity in Rome through the Protestant Reformation.

Biblical Studies Specialist & Elective Courses

• Books of the Bible. These courses are similar to the Old and New Testament courses but will delve more deeply into specific sections of the Bible. Topics may be broader, such as the books of Moses or the four Gospels, or more specific, such as the Pauline epistles or the book of Daniel. Students will likely have to complete two of these courses at a minimum.
• Pastoral Ministry. Pastoral ministry courses focus on how to help others to develop and maintain belief in the primary aspects of the Christian faith and to use their faith to surmount life's challenges. Some courses will likely focus specifically on youth ministry.
• Period History of Christianity. These courses offer more specific looks at events in the development of Christianity, such as a course that looks deeply into the Nicene Creed or the expansion of Christianity in East Asia.
• Biblical Languages. Some programs will offer introductory courses in Hebrew and Greek or even Aramaic.

Licensure & Certification in Biblical Studies

If you are pursuing a master's degree in biblical studies with the goal of becoming a clergy member or other religious leader, you may need a license or certification from the religious organization in which you would like to work. If you are already a member of the religious organization, and if you complete your degree at a religious university affiliated with that organization, you may receive your license or certification upon graduation. If you attend a non-denominational university, however, or one affiliated with another religious organization, you may need to acquire a license or certification from the religious organization for which you'd like to work.

During this process, they will verify that your religious views and doctrinal holdings align with theirs to make sure you are a good fit. The process will likely include an interview, a recommendation, and a statement of faith, not unlike your graduate program application, but other aspects vary by religious organization. The Methodist professional certification application, for example, delves into the coursework you completed during your biblical studies program(s) and your church history; the Lutheran pastor certification application requires written responses to more than two dozen theological and personal questions.

There are two main options for those who want to pursue further post-graduate work in biblical studies after completing a master's program: a doctorate of divinity (DD) or a PhD in religious studies.

A doctorate of divinity will focus on the same general content of a master's in biblical study but in greater depth: study of the Bible as a divine text, coursework to teach pastoral ministry, and other theological studies. Other aspects of the DD program will vary based on the program's institution of learning's religious affiliation.

A PhD in religious studies, focusing on Christianity and the Bible, is a more academic option. It will focus on the Bible as a historical text rather than a divine one. Prospective students should be aware, however, that these programs will require intensive research and writing. Students applying will need to fluently read a minimum of two languages, with more often preferred. You may be able to complete a doctorate in biblical studies online.

Professional organizations in biblical studies are useful for master's students in the field for several reasons. They provide helpful resources for those who are working in religious fields and promote cross-faith dialogue to help these individuals learn from one another and develop mutually beneficial solutions to their challenges. They also provide opportunities for publication in their various journals. The Institute for Biblical Research (IBR) is one such organization. The IBR publishes the Bulletin for Biblical Research and the Tyndale Bulletin. The IBR has student membership specifically for master's students in biblical studies programs. Another professional organization in biblical studies is the American Academy of Religion (AAR), which has 8,000 members worldwide. One of their membership perks is access to the Religious Studies collection on JSTOR (a major database of scholarly articles). Both organizations provide networking opportunities, which can help place you in a job position following your program. Denominational professional organizations exist as well. Some examples include the Association of Youth Ministry Educators (AYME), the Society for Biblical Literature (SBL) and the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (SNTS), a group of New Testament scholars.

A master's degree in biblical studies is designed to prepare students for careers in theology. The most obvious of these careers, and the most directly relevant to the degree program, is as a member of the clergy, a leader of a religious congregation who focuses on preaching and evangelism. A number of other options exist, however, and are more oriented towards providing services to members of society who could use support, like youth. Some positions take place in houses of worship, others in community centers. Regardless, careers related to a master's degree in biblical studies focus on public service from a religious viewpoint.

Job Outlook for a Master's in Biblical Studies

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the clergy career growth rate will be 4% from 2019-2029, the same as the national average for all occupations. It does seem that some states may be better than others for those looking for careers related to their master's in biblical studies. Oregon has substantially more clergy jobs per capita than any other state in the country; meanwhile, California pays clergy members the best of any state. This data suggests that, despite popular impressions that these states are less religious than most of the country, the west coast may be the best place in America for those seeking clerical careers.

How to Become a Clergy Member

Members of the clergy can have many titles: pastor, preacher, and reverend are just some examples. Whatever they're called, clergy members are responsible for being the spiritual leaders of congregations. They spiritually nourish congregants, whom they regularly address during ecclesiastical services, frequently via sermons. They're also responsible for planning and organizing the services and their congregations' other activities. Though the exact requirements and procedures vary by religious organization, a master's in biblical studies will be sufficient education in most cases to obtain certification to become a clergy member for a congregation in your chosen faith tradition. Furthermore, your study during your master's program should help you to network to find a suitable congregation in which you can work. The most important skills for a clergy member are a depth of religious knowledge, good leadership, and professional public speaking skills. Equally or more important, though, is a sincerity in religious belief and in care for your congregation. The BLS reports that, as of 2019, the average clergy member salary is $55,190 annually.

How to Become a Youth Minister

Religious activity directors, such as a youth minister, are responsible for planning and carrying out religious programs. These programs are usually still faith-based but are more pragmatically-focused, and they involve more directly those they aim to benefit. Often, these are programs to help teenagers, as in the case of a youth minister (or youth ministry leader). Youth ministers aim to serve these adolescents spiritually by promoting religious learning and faith-centric lifestyles, but they often also incorporate secular elements designed to promote healthy living, ranging from assistance with career preparation to programs for curbing teenage substance abuse. They may also plan and run youth camps and similar events designed to bring youth together.

Youth ministers don't earn quite as much as clergy; the BLS reports the average religious activity director salary is $50,490 a year, as of 2019. While clergy are tied to a congregation, and therefore are specific to a religious affiliation, youth ministers can often be non-denominational or inter-denominational, working with youth from various (usually still Christian) faith traditions.

Religious scholarships are often denominational: they frequently tend to be for students of a particular faith, or for students studying to become a clergy member within that faith. If you are a member of a faith group interested in pursuing graduate study in biblical studies or similar religious education, you may want to consider asking your local ecclesiastical or faith group leader whether he or she is aware of any scholarship opportunities for members of your faith community. They will likely require a letter of recommendation from that same leader, so having developed a relationship there, and other relationships in your faith community, could prove helpful in acquiring a scholarship.

Federal FAFSA aid for graduate students exists, but there is less available for graduate students than there is for undergraduates. Still, you should always check how much aid you may be able to get from FAFSA before taking out student loans.

AAR has a number of grant programs for its members. You will likely need to have some research project underway to show for yourself to get a grant from AAR, so it is probably not going to be much help when you're just starting graduate school unless you have considerable research experience from your undergraduate. Still, a grant from AAR could help you to successfully complete a research project during your graduate program. The professor you're working with on your research may be able to help you if he or she is a member of AAR.