Program Competencies and Courses

The Core Curriculum

Taoist The theological/Biblical core is required of all MARS students, regardless of concentration. It includes the following courses or their equivalents to meet the following competencies.

Biblical Competency

Students will demonstrate a basic Biblical competency by means of the Bible survey prerequisite. This will be enhanced on the graduate level with two general courses covering the key introductory portions of the two testaments. Specific concentrations will require additional courses.

BIB 320/520 Pentateuch (3 hours). Emphasizes the historical narrative and the content of the Law of God. Special attention is given to the Genesis account of the cosmos, man, sin, and salvation. The authorship of the Pentateuch is considered.

BIB 341/541 The Gospels (3 hours). Stresses the life and teaching of Jesus as set forth in the Synoptic Gospels and John. Attention is given to the literary and theological characteristics of each individual gospel and to the development of the gospel criticism. The primary focus, however, is on the words and works of Jesus Christ and their significance for Christians today.

Theological Competency

Students will demonstrate basic theological competency by completing the following:

BIB 462/662 Biblical Theology (3 hours). A study of the Bible and its central message and meaning. The Bible is viewed as recording a special kind of history revealing God’s will and purpose and giving essential meaning to all human life and destiny.

REL 630 Trinitarian Theology (3 hours). A systematic study of the existence and attributes of God and the persons of the Trinity and their functions. Special emphasis is given to the Monotheistic foundation of Christianity; Christology Pneumatology, and Soteriology.

Integration of Faith and Learning Competency

REL 680 Theological Methods and Philosophical Foundations (3 hours). An introduction to the challenges of integrating faith and learning at the higher level of graduate studies. This is designed to enable the student to understand how an individual’s belief system and field of study inform each other.

Research Competency

Students will demonstrate their research competency by completing the following:

REL 510 Introduction to Graduate Research Methods (2 hours). Introduces research strategies, thesis topic selection, and familiarization with form and style for papers and theses. Guides students in the use of library materials, computerized databases, and bibliographic resources.

REL 790 Graduate Thesis (4 hours). Independent research and writing of a thesis on an approved topic under the supervision of two faculty advisors.

The remainder of the program will focus on one of the following concentrations: