Degree Programs

 

See Degree Program requirements in PDF Format.

 

Certificate of Studies–30 credit Hours

Credit Requirements for the Certificate Program

Certificate programs are tailored to meet the needs of the candidates or the requirements of agencies with which they may be associated. Missionary candidates may meet the requirements of their sending agencies by taking a one-year program in Bible, Theology, or Missions. Campus ministry candidates may find courses in Bible and theology to be a helpful addition to training that may be given by their supporting agencies.

The Certificate program requires 30 credit-hours (essentially, 10 BRITE classes). Normally the Certificate program is a mixture of biblical studies and theological studies; however, it may be tailored more specifically for the student’s needs. In other words, the student chooses which of the various courses offered by BRITE to complete in order to suit their needs and interests, resulting in the completion of their 30 credit-hour program.

Admission requirements for the Certificate program match other masters-degree program requirements. Credits earned in the Certificate program may be applied toward the various Masters Degrees.

 

Certificate of Pastoral Care and Counseling–30 credit hours

Credit Requirements for the Certificate of Pastoral Care and Counseling Program

The Certificate program requires 30 credit-hours (essentially, 10 BRITE classes). Normally the Certificate program is a mixture of biblical studies and theological studies; however, it may be tailored more specifically for the student’s needs, as it in this case with regard to concentrated studies in Pastoral Care and Counseling. In this case, the program is more than 10 classes because some of the courses are 1 or 2 credit-hours instead of the standard 3 credit-hours of most BRITE courses.

Admission requirements for the Certificate program match other masters-degree program requirements. Credits earned in the Certificate program may be applied toward the various Masters Degrees.

Theology: 2 classes (6 credits)

Electives: 1 class (3 credits)

Pastoral Care and Counseling: 9 classes (21 credits)

 

MDiv (Master of Divinity) Degree–90 credit hours

Credit Requirements for the MDiv

Core: 54 credit hours for this section

Church History: 2 classes (6 credits)

Theology: 8 classes (24 credits)

New Testament: 4 classes (12 credits)

Old Testament: 4 classes (12 credits)

 

Biblical Languages: 18 credit hours for this section

Greek: 2 classes (6 credits)

Hebrew: 2 classes (6 credits)

Greek Exegesis: 1 class (3 credits)

Hebrew Exegesis: 1 class (3 credits)

 

Practical Theology: 18 credit hours for this section 

Biblical and Social Ethics: 1 class (3 credits)

Missions/Evangelism: 1 class (3 credits)

Biblical Counseling: 1 class (3 credits) 

Worship: 1 class (2 credits)

Preaching: 1 class (2 credits)

Biblical Leadership: 1 class (2 credits)

Discipleship and Sanctification: 1 class (3 credits)

 

MDiv (Master of Divinity) Diploma–80 course hours

Course Requirements for MDiv Diploma

Core: 54 course hours for this section

Church History: 2 classes (6 credits)

Theology: 8 classes (24 credits)

New Testament: 4 classes (12 credits)

Old Testament: 4 classes (12 credits)

 

Electives: 8 course hours for this section

 

Practical Theology: 18 course hours for this section 

Biblical and Social Ethics: 1 class (3 credits)

Missions/Evangelism: 1 class (3 credits)

Biblical Counseling: 1 class (3 credits)

Worship: 1 class (2 credits)

Preaching: 1 class (2 credits)

Biblical Leadership: 1 class (2 credits)

Discipleship and Sanctification: 1 class (3 credits)

MDiv vs MDiv Diploma vs BDiv?

Diploma programs offer the same preparation that master’s level students enjoy to students that have not earned a bachelor’s degree. These students must possess the knowledge, academic skill, and ability generally associated with persons who hold the bachelor’s degree.

Admission will be restricted to persons with life experience that has prepared them for theological study at the graduate level. Exceptions or extraordinary situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Committee.

To graduate with an MDiv Diploma, the student must complete the same requirements for the Master of Divinity degree with the exception of the language requirement of Hebrew and Greek, and the student must complete 80 course hours. The Diploma student may opt to take Greek and Hebrew if they so desire, but they will need to enroll in 8 credits of elective courses in order to attain the requisite 80 course hours in order to earn the Diploma.

The Bachelor of Divinity (B.D. or BDiv) is a degree program for the student who, for whatever reason, does not hold a B.A. or its equivalent. Ordinarily, the applicant must be at least 25 years old to apply for this program of study. The Bachelor of Divinity degree should not be seen as a substitute for a B.A. Instead, it is a professional graduate degree designed solely to prepare qualified men for the ordained ministry. The course requirements of the BDiv program are identical to the MDiv and can be completed in four years of full-time study. There is an eight-year time limit for completing the program that may be extended only by faculty vote.

 

MTS (Master of Theological Studies)–48 credit hours

Credit Requirements for the MTS

Church History: 2 classes (6 credits)

Theology: 9 classes (27 credits)

+15 credits of Electives

 

MTS-PC (Master of Theological Studies–Pastoral Counseling Emphasis)–48 credit hours

Credit Requirements for the MTS-PC

Theology: 7 classes (21 credits)

Pastoral Care and Counseling: 9 classes (21 credits)

+6 credits of Electives

 

MBS (Master of Biblical Studies)–48 credit hours

Credit Requirements for the MBS

Theology: 2 classes (6 credits)

New Testament: 4 classes (12 credits)

Old Testament: 4 classes (12 credits)

Biblical Languages: 6 classes (18 credits)