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Master of Arts (Bible Exposition)

Overview

The Master of Arts with a concentration in Bible Exposition offers you an academically rich, spiritually transformative study of the Scriptures that prepares you for a wide range of vocational callings.

Through this highly flexible program, youll experience a deep dive into both the Old and New Testaments, including each books history, genre, purpose and cultural background. As you develop skills in exposition and teaching, youll become proficient at interpreting and applying passages by understanding their genre, ancient meaning and modern significance.

  • Broaden Your Knowledge of the Scriptures. Talbots Bible exposition concentration offers a broad, yet deep, study of the Bible. In addition to the core biblical and theological courses, the concentration includes two courses on the historical, cultural, archaeological and geographical backgrounds of the Old and New Testaments. The program is also designed to be highly flexible and customizable with 18 elective credits of your own choosing.
  • Enhance Your Skills in Biblical Interpretation. The Bible exposition concentration includes an elementary course on biblical languages, which provides you with a basic understanding of Greek and Hebrew and an understanding of how to use various Bible study tools. The language principles you learn will significantly enhance your ability to faithfully interpret the Bible.
  • Apply Your Learning to Your Ministry. Be equipped to take what you have learned and share it with others. This program includes a course on teaching Scripture from exegetical study to life-changing application so that you are equipped to effectively teach the Bible to your small group, Sunday school class or teaching ministry.
  • Prepare for Further Academic Study. Talbots rigorous academic program equips you for further academic study and preparation for doctoral studies. Your course of study concludes with a capstone class that gives you the opportunity to work with a professor on a final paper that integrates scriptural exegesis, scholarly research and reflection on implications for the Christian life and the churchs public witness to the world.

For more reasons to choose Talbot School of Theology for your education, see the Why Talbot? page.

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Courses

What will I study as a Master of Arts (Bible Exposition) student?

Each of Talbot School of Theologys Master of Arts programs include a core of biblical and theological foundation courses, the Spiritual Formation Core, an area of academic specialization, and additional elective courses.

Some of your courses include:

Hermeneutics and Bible Study Methods (TTBE 517)

A study of principles or sound interpretation and application of the Bible, including analysis of presuppositions, general rules and specialized principles for the various biblical genre and phenomena and the development of an exegetical method. Notes: Required of M.Div. and M.A. students. Grade Mode: A.

Personal Foundations for Spiritual Formation (TTSF 503)

A theological and experiential exploration into human relationships and issues related to gender, romance, marriage, family and parenting as they relate to spiritual growth. Course includes an investigation into the impact of personal and family history on theological outlook, emotional congruence, relational attractions and moral decisions. Personal assessments and a one-day retreat are an integral part of this course. Students will experience spiritual community and intercessory prayer as they begin individual spiritual direction with a spiritual director and continue relationships within a cohort group to explore deeply their relational capacity at the heart of how Christ is formed in them, thereby developing deeper levels of trust and vulnerability.Prerequisites: TTSF 501. Notes: Required of all Talbot students not in a Spiritual Formation academic program. Cohort groups will continue to meet from TTSF 501 and a one-day group spiritual retreat will be required. Only students in the Talbot M.Div. program with a specialization in Messianic Jewish Studies (Feinberg Extension) are eligible to take this course for 2 credits. Grade Mode: A, N.

World of the Old Testament (TTBE 745)

Old Testament backgrounds, including a study of the religion, literature, geography, archaeology, and culture of Israel in its ancient Near Eastern environment. Grade Mode: A.


Admissions & Deadlines

As a Christian institution, 51蹤獲 seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation toward their field of study. 51蹤獲 does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

Education and GPA Requirements

  • You must have a bachelors degree from an accredited institution by the time you plan to start coursework at 51蹤獲, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Note: If you do not meet the degree or GPA requirements above, you may still be considered for admission. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions office at graduate.admissions@biola.edu. If you are an international student, contact grad.international@biola.edu.

English Proficiency Requirements

  • If English is not your first language, you are required to display your English proficiency before admittance into a 51蹤獲 graduate program. See English Proficiency in the application steps section below.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • General: July 1
    • International Students
      • On Campus: June 1
      • Online/Hybrid: July 1
  • Spring Semester
    • General: November 1
    • International Students: October 1

Visit 51蹤獲

Explore our sunny Southern California campus in person or virtually. Learn more about your program of interest and the admissions process by scheduling an appointment with an admissions counselor.

Visit 51蹤獲

Meet Your Admissions Counselor

If you have more questions about the program, admissions process or 51蹤獲 in general, schedule a phone call or send an email to your admissions counselor.

Graduate Admissions Counselor

Photo of Nathanael Volf
Nathanael Volf

Email: nathanael.l.volf@biola.edu
Text or Call: (562) 393-7576

International Graduate Admissions Counselor

The Office of International Admissions serves students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

Email: grad.international@biola.edu

Application Steps

  1. Complete and submit the

  2. Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee

  3. Submit supplemental application materials through your online application portal:

  4. Official Transcripts

    • Submit all official transcripts from previous academic institutions.
      • Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
      • If enrolled at the time the application is filed, be sure to request transcripts of work finished to date and final transcripts upon completion of your course of study.
      • Transcripts will be considered official only when a) mailed directly from the institution to 51蹤獲, b) sent electronically through an approved vendor or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.
        • Mail transcripts to:
          51蹤獲 Office of Graduate Admissions
          13800 51蹤獲 Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
    • Note for International Students: All international transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (i.e. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by a credential evaluation agency like (51蹤獲 Discount), or . Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have SpanTran/WES/FIS send them directly to 51蹤獲 via online portal or post (13800 51蹤獲 Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.

    Two Reference Letters

    • Pastoral reference
    • Character reference (someone in a leadership role in your life)
    • Note: Additional instructions can be found in the online application.

    Two Essays

    • Christian testimony
    • Vocational testimony
    • Note: The essay prompts can be found in the online application.

    English Proficiency (required for non-native English speakers)

    • Evidence of English proficiency is required for all students to support student success. Proficiency must be shown through one of the methods described below:
      • Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test
        • TOEFL: minimum score of 90 iBT
        • IELTS: minimum score of 7.0
        • Duolingo: minimum score of 125
      • A degree (bachelors, masters or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
        • Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
        • Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
        • Official catalog verification
        • Note: For universities from non-Anglophone countries, further language assessment may be required.
      • Completion of the English Language Scholars (ELS) with passing status on the ELS's final exit exam, which must be approved by the ELS Director in collaboration with the academic program committee. An updated TOEFL or IELTS score may be used at the end of a term to test directly into the graduate program for the following term.
      • Qualify for English Language Scholars (ELS), which allows students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores to still enroll in their graduate degree program. Students would be taking academic English courses concurrently with the graduate degree program courses. 
        • Students eligible for ELS will be assessed by the ELS Director to determine the total number of academic English courses to take while enrolled in their graduate program courses. The following are the scores needed to qualify for ELS: TOEFL iBT 81 / IELTS 6.5 / Duolingo 110124.
        • Note: Students must be admitted to the graduate program first to be considered for ELS.

     

    Additional Forms

    • Change of Program Form: 
    • Additional Student Forms:

     

    Things to Note

    • Track your application status at any time. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You can complete a portion and finish at a later time. Your information will be saved. When you apply, to guarantee confidentiality, you will be asked to create a user name and a password, and will receive a personalized identification number. Track your application status by logging in to the .
    • Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the students academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.
    • International students who will be studying on campus are required to apply for an F-1 student visa. For more information, visit biola.edu/international/admitted-students.

Tuition and Financial Aid

51蹤獲 is committed to help make your studies affordable — each school offers different scholarship, grant and loan opportunities to help finance your education.

Cost Per Credit (202526) $730
Full-time Tuition Per Term (Estimated) Based on 9 credit courseload$6,570
Part-time Tuition Per Term (Estimated) Based on 3 credit courseload$2,190
Total Program Tuition (Estimated) Based on total program credits and 202526 cost per credit$35,770

Faculty


Format

On Campus: You'll study in person at 51蹤獲's campus in Southern California.

Online: You'll take coursework fully online.

Hybrid (On Campus and Online): This program includes a blend of course formats, including online and in person at 51蹤獲's Southern California campus.

Total Credits

Every program at 51蹤獲 features rigorous academics, biblically integrated curriculum and vocational preparation.

Cost per Credit

This is the cost per credit; total tuition costs for each term will differ for part-time and full-time students.

Standard Completion Time

This indicates the standard duration of this program. Completion time may vary depending on transferred coursework and preferred courseload.

Accreditation

51蹤獲 is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.