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M
A S T E R O F
A
R T S I N
B
I B L E
T
E A C H I N G
Overview
The Master of Arts in Bible Teaching (M.A. in Bible Teaching) program is specifically designed to prepare students
to teach the Bible in a school setting. In three semesters of study (Fall, Spring, and Summer), students build a
knowledge of best educational practices on previous Bible background as they explore every aspect of Bible
curriculum, from the “big-picture” of K-12
th
grade curriculum to daily lesson plans.
Purpose
The purpose of the Bible Teaching program is to develop the ministry skill of teaching Bible in Christian and public
schools in North America, government and missionary children’s schools overseas, and other areas of Christian
work where a Bible teaching ministry is exercised.
Objectives
The objectives of the Bible Teaching program are to develop the following teacher competencies:
•
Teachers who understand the purpose of the Bible and how to prepare lessons and curriculum from the
Bible that reflect that purpose, using sound principles of biblical interpretation
•
Teachers who formulate lesson and curricular objectives in line with the pattern of biblical revelation
•
Teachers who can design and teach curricula that integrates biblical truth into major disciplines such as
philosophy, family life, and church history on a secondary level
•
Teachers with the ability to relate the principles of the Scripture being taught to the needs of individuals
and groups
•
Teachers who have the ability to apply the principles of the teaching-learning process to the teaching of the
Bible
•
Teachers who have the ability to establish positive, professional relationships with supervisors, co-
workers, and students
Admission Requirements
In addition to satisfying the general admissions requirements, students applying to the Master of Arts in Bible
Teaching program must satisfy the following:
1.
Evidence of ability to successfully pursue an academic program. Students must have a minimum 2.7 GPA
for the most recent degree obtained or scores above the 50
th
percentile (verbal and quantitative) on the
GRE and a 3.5 on the analytical writing section. The exam must have been taken within the last five years.
Information on test sites and registration is available directly from ETS at
www.ets.org
(CIU code is 5116).
2.
Demonstrate basic academic proficiency by submitting official Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST)
prescribed minimum scores. (Minimum scores are 175 on the reading test, 173 on the writing test, and 172
on the math test.) Information on test sites and registration is available directly from ETS at
www.ets.org
(CIU code is 5116).
3.
Disposition and motivation toward Bible teaching. Complete a successful interview with the program
director and/or education faculty in person or by phone.
4.
Appropriate undergraduate background. While expertise in all disciplines is not expected, a student must
demonstrate reasonable competency in content areas by completing at least 36 semester hours in
undergraduate liberal arts, distributed in at least four of the following core areas: language arts, social
science, natural science, mathematics, technology, or humanities/fine arts.
5.
Foundational knowledge in Bible and theology. This requirement is satisfied by one of the following:*
a.
An undergraduate degree of at least 30 hours in Bible and theology (must include a course on
hermeneutics) from a Bible college or Christian liberal arts college or university
b.
A Bible certificate of at least 30 hours in Bible and theology (must include a course in Hermeneutics)
c.
A total of 30 hours of coursework in Bible and theology (must include a course in Hermeneutics)
*Students not meeting this req irement should apply to the Biblical and Theology Certificate program at Columbia International
University’s Seminary & School of Ministry. After completing the Biblical and Theology Certificate, students would qualify to apply
to the M.A. in Bible Teaching program.
OLUMBIA NTERNATIONAL NIVERSITY
OLLEGE OF DUCATION