1. Practicum Studies in Ministry Program:
Theological education should equip a person for real life experience. Therefore,
Covenant Bible Seminary offers a practical education program in ministry under an
approved supervised ministry for academic credit to students who have a baccalaureate
degree.
Academic credit for supervised practicum in a Biblical ministry accrue at a rate of four (4) quarter credit hours per 100 hours of practical experience. No more than sixteen (16) quarter credit hours may be applied to any given degree program offered by the Seminary. This program may be completed in no less than ten (10) weeks and no more than one (1) year.
Practicum in ministry is available for all students in any of the resident or independent study programs of the Seminary. These studies include parish administration, youth missions, Christian Education, elder care, institutional ministries such as prisons and mental hospitals, plus many more that may be of interest to the student in ministry. In these settings, the student's activities are supervised and evaluated by an ordained minister or qualified supervisor.
Please contact the Academic Dean for more information concerning this program.
2. Master of Biblical Studies Degree Program:
The basic structure of the M.B.S. degree requires forty-six (46) quarter credit
hours beyond the baccalaureate degree if the student majored in Biblical Studies
in undergraduate courses. Ninety (90) quarter credit hours are required if the
student comes with a secular degree (did not major in Biblical Studies in undergraduate
courses).
This program may be completed in either resident or independent study, consisting of courses from the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree program. All courses are on a 500 level or above.
Students who are qualified and desire to transfer their credits into the M.Div. degree program, may do so prior to earning the M.B.S. degree. Once credits are used to complete a degree, they may not be used again for another degree program.
A major area of study of forty-six (46) quarter credit hours must be earned in one of the following Specialized Schools of Ministry: Biblical Chaplaincy, Pastoral Counseling, or Missions.
Electives: Arrangements for these elective courses are to be made with the approval of the Academic Dean.
Thesis: A detailed study on a graduate level is required, containing at least 10,000 words, prepared by the student in an area of Biblical concentration. The student's thesis proposal must be submitted to and approved by the Dean at the beginning of the quarter. Two copies are to be filed with the Registrar's Office four (4) weeks prior to graduation. Three (3) quarter credit hours are granted for the completed and approved thesis.
3. Master of Divinity in Biblical and Theological Studies Degree Program:
This is a course of Biblical and theological study for qualified college graduates
with a baccalaureate or Masters degree. It requires a minimum of one hundred thirty
six (136) quarter credit hours.
Qualified students who desire to be admitted to this program, but do not have a working knowledge of Greek will be admitted and be awarded the Master of Divinity degree in Practical Theology upon completion of all the requirements of this Program.
Electives: Arrangements for these elective courses are to be made with the approval of the Academic Dean.
Thesis: A Biblical theological paper on a graduate level with a minimum of 15,000 words is to be prepared. The student's thesis proposal must be submitted to and approved be the Dean at the beginning of the quarter. Two copies are to be filed with the Registrar's Office four (4) weeks prior to graduation. Four (4) quarter credit hours are granted for the completed and approved thesis.
a. The Curriculum is as follows:
| Fall Quarter | Winter Quarter | Spring Quarter | |||
| First Year | Credits | Credits | Credits | ||
| E-610 Biblical Hermeneutics | 3 | E-620 NT Introduction I | 3 | E-630 NT Introduction II | 3 |
| E-611 Selected Psalms I | 3 | E-621 Selected Psalms II | 3 | E-631 OT Introduction | 3 |
| H-612 Church History I | 3 | H-622 Church History II | 3 | E-632 Wisdom Literature | 3 |
| S-613 Introduction to Scripture | 3 | S-632 Law and Gospel | 3 | P-625 Evangelism | 3 |
| P-615 Homiletics I | 3 | P-624 Homiletics II | 3 | P-634 Homiletics III | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Second Year | Credits | Credits | Credits | ||
| E-710 Genesis | 3 | E-720 Luke | 3 | E-730 Galatians | 3 |
| E-711 Matthew | 3 | E-721 Jeremiah | 3 | E-731 Pastoral Epistles | 3 |
| H-712 Church History III | 3 | H-722 Church History IV | 3 | E-732 Isaiah | 3 |
| S-713 Dogmatics I: God | 3 | S-723 Dogmatics II: Man | 3 | S-733 Dogmatics III: Redemption | 3 |
| S-714 Christian Apologetics | 3 | P-725 Worship Services | 3 | P-734 Bible Teaching Methods | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | 15 |
Third Year - Internship/Practicum
This is a ten (10) month practical experience, based on a minimum of ten (10)
hours per week, in an approved ministry and is required of all students seeking
ordination through Covenant Bible Fellowship, our parent church organization. The
internship may be done concurrently with the Second Year or Fourth Year courses,
if approved by the Academic Dean. Sixteen (16) credits will be granted upon
successful completion of the Internship/Practicum.
| Fourth Year | Credits | Credits | Credits | ||
| E-810 John | 3 | E-820 Romans | 3 | E-830 Hebrews | 3 |
| S-811 Dogmatics IV: Holy Spirit | 3 | E-821 The Minor Prophets | 3 | H-831 Church History V | 3 |
| S-812 Comparative Theology | 3 | S-822 Dogmatics V: Means of Grace | 3 | S-833 Dogmatics VI: Eschatology | 3 |
| P-813 Pastoral Counseling | 3 | P-824 Christian Education | 3 | P-834 Thesis | 3 |
| P-814 Church Outreach | 3 | P-827 Parish Administration | 3 | P-835 Revelation | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | 15 |
b. Description of Courses for Master of Divinity Degree
The curriculum is divided into four divisions: Exegetical, Historical, Systematic, and Practical Theology. The course numbering system indicates the intended level of difficulty for each course, with 700's and 800's having a higher level of difficulty.
EXEGETICAL THEOLOGY:
E-610 BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS (3)
This course is an evaluation of the history and methods of the science of Biblical
interpretation.
E-611 SELECTED PSALMS I (3)
E-621 SELECTED PSALMS II (3)
These courses are composed of a general introduction to the Psalms and the exposition
of selected Psalms.
E-620 NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION I (3)
E-630 NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION II (3)
These courses survey the contents of the New Testament, including historical background.
Attention is given to authorship, date, and purpose of the various books, as well as
how they become part of the Canon.
E-631 OLD TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (3)
This includes a general introduction to the books, a brief analysis of each book, and
careful consideration to selected passages.
E-632 WISDOM LITERATURE (3)
An introduction to Job, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, and the Song of Solomon are presented,
giving careful consideration to fundamental problems of life with justification as the
work of God alone.
E-710 GENESIS (3)
An in-depth study is presented with special reference to the first eleven chapters and
the Messianic content of the entire book.
E-711 MATTHEW (3)
An in-depth study is presented with emphasis on structure, background, and Judaism, use
of the Old Testament and the Synoptic parallels.
E-720 LUKE (3)
An in-depth study is presented with special reference to the orderly narrative of the
life of Christ as seen by eyewitnesses, the parables of Jesus, and the universality of the
Gospel message.
E-721 JEREMIAH (3)
A general introduction to the book is given, including the study of political, moral, and
religious trends of the time of Jeremiah. Attention is given to his personal character,
his rebukes and warnings against sin, and his Messianic hope.
E-730 GALATIANS (3)
An in-depth study is presented with emphasis on the timeless doctrine of justification
by grace through faith, the warning against Judaizers and their present-day counterparts,
and the vindications of Paul's apostleship.
E-731 PASTORAL EPISTLES (3)
The books of I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, and Philemon are studied for
their guidance and help to the pastoral ministry.
E-732 ISAIAH (3)
This course is a general introduction to the book, including the historical background.
Attention is given to prophecies and their fulfillment, and the spiritual richness of
the book.
E-810 THE GOSPEL OF JOHN (3)
This course is devoted to the study of the purpose and special characteristics of the
fourth Gospel, its authenticity and unique value.
E-820 ROMANS (3)
An in-depth study is presented, with emphasis on the practical application of justification
by faith, and sanctification through the work of the Holy Spirit.
E-821 MINOR PROPHETS (3)
This is a general introduction and brief analysis of the books, giving careful consideration
to selected passages.
E-830 HEBREWS (3)
The unique character of the Epistle of Hebrews is studied, with emphasis on its Christology
and ethics.
HISTORICAL THEOLOGY:
H-612 CHURCH HISTORY I (3)
This is a study of the history of the Christian Church from the Apostolic Age to A.D. 600.
H-622 CHURCH HISTORY II (3)
This is a study of the Church from A.D. 600 through the Renaissance.
H-712 CHURCH HISTORY III (3)
This is a study of the Reformation. The contributions of Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin
will be emphasized.
H-722 CHURCH HISTORY IV (3)
This is a study of the developments in the church from 1650 to the present.
H-831 CHURCH HISTORY V (3)
This is a study of the development of the Christian faith and church growth in
America from the colonial period to the present.
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY:
S-613 INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTURE (3)
This course is designed to give the student an introduction to Scripture as God's
Word in written form, the basic foundation upon which all theology must be built.
S-623 LAW AND GOSPEL (3)
This course offers a thorough study of the proper use of Law and Gospel, with the Law,
as used in Scripture, showing the need for repentance and the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
S-713 DOGMATICS I: GOD (3)
This is a study of the nature and attributes of God and includes the doctrines of the
Trinity, Creation, and the Fall into sin.
S-714 CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS (3)
This is a study of the positive proofs of the Christian faith.
S-723 DOGMATICS II: MAN (3)
This is a study of man's integrity, state, and nature of sin, the meaning of faith
and forgiveness.
S-733 DOGMATICS III: REDEMPTION (3)
This is a study of the incarnation, Virgin birth, person of Jesus Christ, attonement,
resurrection, communion of natures, offices of Christ, and His active and passive
obedience.
S-811 DOGMATICS IV: THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (3)
This is a study of the call, illumination, faith, new birth, justification, and
sanctification as related to the Holy Spirit's work.
S-812 COMPARATIVE THEOLOGY (3)
This course compares Biblical theology with other main line denominational doctrines
as well as contemporary cults.
S-822 DOGMATICS V: MEANS OF GRACE (3)
This course presents a study of the Word, the Sacrements, the Church, the ministry,
and election.
S-833 DOGMATICS VI: ESCHATOLOGY (3)
This course presents a study of the state of man between his death and resurrection,
the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgement, the end of
the world, eternal death, and eternal life.
PRACTICAL THEOLOGY:
P-615 HOMILETICS I: METHOD (3)
P-624 HOMILETICS II: COMPOSITION (3)
P-634 HOMILETICS III: DELIVERY (3)
These courses are designed to give the student the necessary skills to develop and preach
sermons skillfully.
P-625 EVANGELISM (3)
This is a basic course in personal and congregational approaches to witnessing for Christ,
with the emphasis on concepts and methods.
P-725 WORSHIP SERVICES (3)
This course presents the components of Christian worship and how
the pastor should conduct both public and private worship services.
P-734 BIBLE TEACHING METHODS (3)
This course presents different methods of teaching God's Word.
P-813 PASTORAL COUNSELING (3)
This is a basic course in the application of counseling principles concerning emotional
and spiritual problems.
P-814 CHURCH OUTREACH AND GROWTH (3)
A basic course devoted to developing a Biblical concept of ministry to people in hospitals,
jails, mental institutions, rescue missions, and nursing homes.
P-824 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (3)
This is a course on the principles and practice of the pastor's ministry as overseer of the
teaching offered in Sunday School as well as other classes for adults and children in the local
congregation.
P-827 PARISH ADMINISTRATION (3)
This course is a step-by-step guide through the administrative functions of the local
congregation that a pastor must understand and relate to if he is to fulfill his
administrative responsibilities.
P-834 THESIS (3)
The thesis is a theological paper on the graduate level, with at least 15,000 words, to
be presented to the Graduation Committee by the candidate for approval no later than four
(4) weeks prior to graduation. Two copies of the thesis are to be filed with the Registrar.
P-835 REVELATION - A PRACTICAL GUIDE (3)
This course is designed to enable the pastor to give his parishioners a clear and practical
understanding of the Book of Revelation.
PRIVATE STUDY COURSES:
PS-110 - 1099 PRIVATE STUDY
The student selects one area of particular interest to him and works with the professor in
that area. A contractual agreement between the student, the professor, and the Dean regarding
subject matter and credit value is to be signed, and a term paper may be required.
4. Master of Theology in Biblical and Theological Studies Degree Program:
The basic structure of the Master of Theology degree requires forty-five (45) quarter
credit hours beyond the Master of Divinity degree. This program may only be taken
by Independent Study and is designed to provide the student with a greater opportunity
for specialization in a particular theological and Biblical area of the student's
own choice from courses selected from the M.Div. curriculum.
Each student's academic program is determined by consultation with the Dean. It is completely based on Independent Study courses in areas where the student desires to study more in-depth, but was unable to do so while in the M.Div. program. Each area of study is agreed upon between the student and the Dean, whereupon, a contract relating to the courses to be studied and their credit value is drawn up and signed by the student and the Dean.
The program of concentration may be in the area of Practical, Systematic, Historical, or Exegetical theology. All courses are to be selected from the M.Div. curriculum are on a 900 level for the M.Th. Program. The student will take at least 25 hours in a chosen major, with the rest of the courses being supporting courses.
THESIS: A detailed study on a post-graduate level is required, containing at least 20,000 words, prepared by the student in an area of Biblical or theological concentration and approved by the Academic Dean. It must demonstrate research ability and a thorough grasp of the subject. It must be doctrinally sound and presented to the Graduation Committee four (4) weeks prior to graduation.