Master of Arts [Biblical Studies]

What to Expect from the Degree

As you complete your degree, you’ll be able to

1. Cultivate holy love of God and neighbor through both knowledge and practice in the Christian disciplines of service and grace.
2. Master and integrate the biblical canon  with literary, historical and hermeneutical tools for a holistic study of passages, methodology, genres and themes.
3. Analyze and present biblical and theological insights into contemporary and canonical contexts.
4. Describe the means whereby one may arrive at a biblical view of the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures.

*Refer to the Academic Catalog for the exact wording of Program Learning Outcomes.

Advanced Standing

Save time and money with our advanced standing program. Here’s how it works.

If you received a religion major or minor from an accredited college or university, you can receive a maximum of 12 credits toward a Master of Arts degree.

*Transcripts evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Admissions Requirements

• Application Form
• Accredited baccalaureate degree*
• Official transcripts from all postsecondary schools where at least 12 hours of coursework was completed
• Personal History Essay – 1050-1500 words (350-500 words per question)
  1. Share your testimony starting with how you met Jesus Christ. Talk about your growth since that time and what brings you to apply to seminary at this season in your life. Include your thoughts on how you would like to see your faith grow during your time in seminary.
  2. What draws you to your desired major/area of study? What is your intended outcome upon degree completion? Why is that career or ministry choice meaningful to you?
  3. Discuss a local, national, and/or international issue and why you are passionate about it.
  4. Optional: If your GPA is not a good indication of your academic ability, please explain.
• Four references (references cannot be related to applicant)
  1. Four references, including a pastoral reference (required) and a professor or academic administrator reference (recommended). Laity or personal acquaintances are accepted.
• $50 Nonrefundable Application Fee
• For applicants whose primary language is not English, a TOEFL score of 550 (79 internet-based) or an IELTS score of 6.5
• Background check (completed by the Admissions Office)
• A personal interview may be required upon request by the Admissions Committee

*Applicants without accredited Bachelor’s degree – refer to page 28 of the Academic Catalog

Learn more about what other graduates of Asbury Seminary are doing.

• 

  Jeannine BrabonFormer Missionary, OMS International. Founder, Asociacion Confraternidad Carcelaria de Antioquia (Prison Fellowship).

• 

  Rev. Sam Lael Mwase ZuluHead - International Center for Biblical Understanding (IBS Training Center), Field Director - The Word Is Out Zambia Chapter

• 

  Katie MayesCorps Officer at the Salvation Army in Derry, N.H.

• 

  Stephanie de OliveiraMissions Pastor, Calvario City Church, Orlando.

• 

  Joe CastilloArtist, author, bilingual speaker, pastor, entrepreneur

The following degree plans have been approved for the 2025-26 academic year. Download the PDF below to see a full listing of all your degree requirements.

• Master of Arts  [Biblical Studies] MA[BS]

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:

1. Complete your online application.
2. Fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
3. Once you’re admitted to the Seminary, you will receive an Asbury Seminary Financial Aid form.
4. After completing this, the Financial Aid office will contact you with any scholarship offers.

Cost of Attendance: 2023-2024

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.

Recipients of scholarships must represent strong promise for Christian ministry and demonstrate a financial need.

Some of the scholarships include:

• Mary Whetstone and Walter J. Knabe Scholarship – average award $10,700
• Windgate Scholarship – average award $10,000
• J.C. McPheeters Scholarship – average award $7,000
• Timothy C. Tennent Church Planting and Cross-Cultural Missionary Service Scholarship – average award $4,500
• Leo H. Naughton Scholarship – average award $3,200
• Asbury Deans Scholarship – average award $1,500

Save Time! Save Money!

Combine your Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies, or Master of Theological Studies with a doctoral-level Master of Theology (Th.M) degree, and save up to 15 credit hours! This option is designed for those planning to pursue a Ph.D. or for those seeking a deeper educational background to serve in the church or marketplace.

This dual track option allows you to:

• Share up to 15 hours between degrees, reducing your overall time and cost to complete the degrees.
• Prepare for the rigor of the Ph.D. program and strengthen your CV. Classes are taught at a Ph.D. level.
• Gain a more extensive knowledge-base for marketplace or church ministry.
• Work one-on-one with a faculty mentor.
• Shorten the admissions process if you’re already a current student.