Asbury Seminary’s fully online 39-hour Master of Biblical and Theological Foundations is designed to serve ministry, bi-vocational, and non-profit leaders, as well as laity and underserved communities who want to deepen their understanding of theology and scripture while continuing to serve. This degree will start a life-long transformation process to ground you in your faith and radically reorient yourself and others to the Gospel. As you study scripture, using social and contextual analysis, you’ll develop a rooted understanding of your Christian faith that is both personal and public.
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What to Expect from the Degree
As You Complete the Degree You Will:
- Receive a fresh understanding of scripture and theology, coupled with a renewed love for God and neighbor developed through knowledge, practice and service that is both public and personal.
- Conduct social and cultural analysis for the interpretation of the gospel in contemporary settings.
- Integrate the biblical cannon into everyday life to help you serve in a contemporary setting.
- Analyze and communicate classical Christian tradition, contemporary theology and Wesleyan theology to help you understand and integrate grounded theology in your life and ministry.
- Employ formation exercises to help you embrace and develop skills for leading God’s people in God’s mission in today’s world.
- Apply practical skills in a ministry specialization of Christian service.
Admission Requirements and Procedures
Application for admission must be made on the Admissions Office form at asburyseminary.edu.
1. Baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or holding membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada. Applicants whose baccalaureate degree is from a college not accredited by the recognized national or regional accrediting agency must have one complete year of work at an accredited institution before being considered for admission to Asbury Seminary.
2. Official transcripts of all postsecondary schools where at least 12 credit hours of coursework was completed sent directly by each institution to the Asbury Seminary Admissions Office.
3. A nonrefundable $50 (US) application fee that includes processing of the application and a personal background check.
4. Three references completed on the Admissions Office form at asburyseminary.edu, including a pastoral reference (required) and a professor or academic administration reference (recommended). Laity or personal acquaintances are accepted.
5. Personal history essay, addressing questions as posted at asburyseminary.edu.
6. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75/4.00 for admission in good standing. A GPA between 2.50 and 2.75 is permitted for admission on reduced load basis. The grade point average as calculated by the Admissions Office at Asbury Seminary shall be considered the official grade point average for admission. Applicants with marginal averages are urged to check with the Admissions Office. A GPA below 2.50 requires the additional submission of a report of the Miller Analogies Test (MAT – 410 minimum score) or the general aptitude section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE – minimum 153 verbal, or minimum 500 verbal for exams taken prior to August 2011). Students needing to complete the MAT or the GRE will not be considered until the official scores are received. Information concerning these examinations is available from the Admissions Office.
7. For applicants whose native language is other than English, a TOEFL score of 550 paper or 79 Internet or 7.0 IETLS score.
8. The Admissions Committee may request the applicant to submit additional materials and/or schedule an interview with a seminary representative.
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Stephanie M. RaglinDirector of Programs at the Hope Center.
Pastor, Embry Chapel AME Church in Elizabethtown, Ky. -
Christopher GossDirector of Worship Arts, Youth & Young Adults Ministries, Mosaic UMC, Georgia.
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Deb AdamsFounder, Gracie's Place.
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Aaron ReynoldsLeadership Development Program, Chick-fil-A.
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Michael HammondPresident and Chief Servant, Faith Covenant Ministries, Missouri.
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Rob MehnerDirector of Pastoral Care and Training Education, New Life Children's Home, Guatemala.
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Dr. Maria Russell KenneyAssistant Professor of Christian Ethics.
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Dr. Randy JessenExecutive Director, Global Hope.
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Connor ReavyStudent and Marathon Runner.
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George WassonLead Pastor, Faith Point Church, Floyds Knobs, Ind.
Learn more about what other graduates of Asbury Seminary are doing.
Masters Required Courses
| Hrs | Course ID | Course Name |
| 3 | CD605 | Gospel Catechesis |
| 3 | CH501 | Church History—One |
| 3 | CS601 | Christian Ethics |
| 3 | MS501 | Missional Formation |
| 3 | NT510/11 | Inductive Bible Study |
| 3 | NT520 | New Testament Introduction |
| 3 | OT520 | Old Testament Introduction |
| 3 | TH501 | Basic Christian Doctrine |
| 3 | TH601 | Theology of John Wesley |
Electives
| Hrs | Course ID | Course Name |
| 3 | NT(IBS)610-649 or OT(IBS)610-649 | Inductive Bible Study |
| 9 | Various | Choose 9 hours from the following designations:
OT, NT, BT, NT(IBS), or OT(IBS) and/or CH, CS, PH, SF, or TH |
Asbury Seminary awards more than 400 scholarships annually because we want you to graduate with minimal debt. We offer too many scholarships to list conclusively. For more information, email financial.aid@asburyseminary.edu.
To apply for financial aid:
- Complete your online application.
- Fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Once you’re admitted to the Seminary, you will receive an Asbury Seminary Financial Aid form.
- After completing this, the Financial Aid office will contact you with any scholarship offers.
Cost of Attendance: 2022-2023
| Degree | Total Credits | Cost |
| Master of Biblical and Theological Foundations | 39 credits | $692/credit hour |
| Total | $26,988 |
| Academic Year 2021-2022 | All Campuses Fall/Spring | All Campuses Summer |
| Technology Fee | $210 per semester | $105 per semester |
| Graduation Fee | $200 one-time fee | $200 one-time fee |
| Student Services Fee | $150 per semester | $75 per semester |
Scholarships
Institutional scholarships are available through Asbury Theological Seminary. Scholarships are highly competitive and priority consideration is given to those who have completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Asbury Financial Aid Application, and who have been admitted by the Admissions Office by March 1.