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Bible Resources > Bible Program Home Page > Degree Requirements

Baccalaureate Degrees in Bible

Bible Program (as of 2006)

The Bible program aims to prepare men and women to be better servants of God and humanity, whether as a professional or a volunteer. At every level of study, emphasis is placed on building a sound understanding of God's inspired Word and on applying it in practical ways. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to serve effectively according to biblical principles in whatever professional discipline they pursue. Students receive instruction in biblical studies, preaching and teaching, church leadership, counseling, personal spirituality, ethics, and Christian education according to their specific interests. Bible majors are prepared to go directly into ministry or to pursue graduate studies.

Students desiring to major in Bible choose from four degrees: (1) Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, (2) Bachelor of Science in Bible and Ministry, (3) Bachelor of Science in Bible—Vocational Ministry, or (4) Bachelor of Science in Bible—Vocational Missions. The latter two are available only as second majors.

A minor is required for the B.A. in Biblical Studies and the B.S. in Bible and Ministry. When one or more minors that relate to Bible or ministry are chosen, they serve as specializations or emphases for the Bible degrees. Other minors can be used toward graduation, but they do not serve as specializations. Specializations include such minors as biblical languages, Christian counseling, Christian service for women, Greek, missions, practical ministry, preaching, and youth ministry, among others.

Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies

Students who plan to pursue graduate study or who would like to keep graduate study as a future option should complete this degree. This degree will also serve those who plan to begin full-time ministry upon graduation. The degree program includes a core curriculum of language, textual, doctrinal, historical, and practical ministry courses.

  1. Satisfy all of the university's requirements for a bachelor's degree, including the following:
    • General Institutional Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree
    • General Education Requirements
    • Writing Competency Requirements
    • Bible Course Requirement
    • Diversity Requirement
    • Career Development System (CDS) Requirement
  2. Receive formal admission to the School of Biblical Studies, preferably by the end of the sophomore year.
  3. Meet the following grade requirements:
    • Earn at least a 2.5 GPA on all Bible-related course work.
    • Earn no hours of D on Bible-related course work required for graduation [green addition effective fall 2007].
  4. Complete at least 24 credit hours of upper-level Bible courses (courses with a BIB prefix) at Ohio Valley University; at least nine of these credit hours must be in textual studies courses.
  5. Complete a minor area of study.
  6. Complete 65 credit hours, distributed as follows (see below for a listing of which courses meet each requirement):
    • 8 credit hours in Bible core courses. The following courses are required:
      • BIB 106 Life of Christ (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 107 Acts through Revelation (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 205 Old Testament Survey (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 206 Christian Thought (2 credit hours)
    • 12 credit hours in New Testament Greek.
    • 18 credit hours in textual studies courses, with at least nine credit hours in New Testament and six credit hours in Old Testament.
    • 8 credit hours in doctrinal and historical studies courses. BIB 347 – Scripture Interpretation (3 credit hours) is required; students must select one of the following courses: REL 341 – History of the Christian Church (3 credit hours) or REL 342 – Restoration Church History (3 credit hours).
    • 14 credit hours in practical ministry. The following courses are required:
      • BIB 225 Introduction to Ministry Seminar (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 320 Personal Evangelism (3 credit hours) or
        BIB 353 Urban Ministry (3 credit hours) [green addition effective fall 2007]
      • BIB 322 Introduction to Missions (3 credit hours)
      • BIB 323 (men) Sermon Preparation and Delivery (3 credit hours)
        or BIB 327 (women) Religious Speaking for Women (3 credit hours)
      • BIB 425 Practicum in Ministry (3 credit hours)
      Students who have worked for at least five consecutive years in full-time ministry may petition for a waiver of Practicum in Ministry (BIB 425); if the waiver is granted, the student must replace this course with an additional three credit hours of course work in practical ministry.
    • BIB 451 – Senior Seminar (2 credit hours)
    • 3 elective credit hours of Bible (BIB) or Religion (REL)

Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Bible and Ministry

This degree will serve well those students who plan to begin full-time ministry upon graduation; however, because of the lack of a language requirement, it is not recommended for those seriously considering graduate school as a future option. The degree program includes a core curriculum of textual, doctrinal, historical, and practical ministry courses.

  1. Satisfy all of the university's requirements for a bachelor's degree, including the following:
    • General Institutional Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree
    • General Education Requirements
    • Writing Competency Requirements
    • Bible Course Requirement
    • Diversity Requirement
    • Career Development System (CDS) Requirement
  2. Receive formal admission to the School of Biblical Studies, preferably by the end of the sophomore year.
  3. Meet the following grade requirements:
    • Earn at least a 2.5 GPA on all Bible-related course work.
    • Earn no hours of D on Bible-related course work required for graduation [green addition effective fall 2007].
  4. Complete at least 24 credit hours of upper-level Bible (BIB) courses at Ohio Valley University; at least nine of these credit hours must be in textual studies courses.
  5. Complete a minor area of study.
  6. Complete 56 (53 for those starting in 2006) credit hours, distributed as follows (see below for a listing of which courses meet each requirement):
    • 8 credit hours in Bible core courses. The following courses are required:
      • BIB 106 Life of Christ (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 107 Acts through Revelation (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 205 Old Testament Survey (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 206 Christian Thought (2 credit hours)
    • 3 credit hours of biblical language [green addition effective fall 2007]
    • 18 credit hours in textual studies courses, with at least nine hours in New Testament and six hours in Old Testament.
    • 8 credit hours in doctrinal and historical studies courses. BIB 347 – Scripture Interpretation (3 credit hours) is required; students must select one of the following courses: REL 341 – History of the Christian Church (3 credit hours) or REL 342 – Restoration Church History (3 credit hours).
    • 14 credit hours in practical ministry courses. The following courses are required:
      • BIB 225 Introduction to Ministry Seminar (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 320 Personal Evangelism (3 credit hours) or
        BIB 353 Urban Ministry (3 credit hours) [green addition effective fall 2007]
      • BIB 322 Introduction to Missions (3 credit hours)
      • BIB 323 (men) Sermon Preparation and Delivery (3 credit hours)
        or BIB 327 (women) Religious Speaking for Women (3 credit hours)
      • BIB 425 Practicum in Ministry (3 credit hours)
      Students who have worked for at least five consecutive years in full-time ministry may petition for a waiver of Practicum in Ministry (BIB 425); if the waiver is granted, the student must replace this course with an additional three credit hours of course work in practical ministry.
    • BIB 451 – Senior Seminar (2 credit hours)
    • 3 elective credit hours of Bible (BIB) or Religion (REL)

Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Bible—Vocational Ministry

Because many students are interested in preparing to serve in ministry roles while supporting themselves in another occupation or vocation, the Vocational Ministry major was created to provide a brief yet balanced study of biblical and ministry concerns. This degree program is designed to serve a student who desires enough Bible and ministry training to serve in a ministry role in a small church or mission area, but whose primary major is in another discipline. This degree program is also designed to serve a student who already has a bachelor's degree but would like to change careers; with careful planning, it is possible to earn this degree in one year.

To be eligible for this major, the student must have a primary major outside the school of biblical studies. Students who have previously completed a bachelor's degree at an accredited institution are also eligible to complete this degree.

  1. Satisfy all of the university's requirements for a bachelor's degree, including the following:
    • General Institutional Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree
    • General Education Requirements
    • Writing Competency Requirements
    • Bible Course Requirement
    • Diversity Requirement
    • Career Development System (CDS) Requirement
    If a student has already received a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, it will be assumed that the above requirements for a bachelor's degree have been met.
  2. Complete a primary major outside the School of Biblical Studies.
  3. Meet the following grade requirements:
    • Earn at least a 2.5 GPA on all Bible-related course work.
    • Earn no hours of D on Bible-related course work required for graduation [green addition effective fall 2007].
  4. Give the School of Biblical Studies a formal declaration of intent to seek the Bible—Vocational Ministry degree; this declaration should be given as soon as possible so that a suitable plan of study can be made.
  5. Complete at least 24 credit hours of upper-level Bible (BIB) courses at Ohio Valley University; at least nine of these credit hours must be in textual studies courses.
  6. Complete 36 credit hours, distributed as follows (see below for a listing of which courses meet each requirement):
    • 8 credit hours in Bible core courses. The following courses are required:
      • BIB 106 Life of Christ (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 107 Acts through Revelation (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 205 Old Testament Survey (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 206 Christian Thought (2 credit hours)
    • 9 credit hours in textual studies courses, with at least five hours in New Testament.
    • 3 credit hours in doctrinal and historical studies courses; BIB 347 – Scripture Interpretation (3 credit hours) is required.
    • 11 credit hours in practical ministry courses; the following courses are required:
      • BIB 225 Introduction to Ministry Seminar (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 322 Introduction to Missions (3 credit hours)
      • BIB 323 (men) Sermon Preparation and Delivery (3 credit hours)
        or BIB 327 (women) Religious Speaking for Women (3 credit hours)
      • BIB 425 Practicum in Ministry BIB (3 credit hours)
      Students who have worked for at least five consecutive years in full-time ministry may petition for a waiver of Practicum in Ministry (BIB 425); if the waiver is granted, the student must replace this course with an additional three credit hours of course work in practical ministry.
    • BIB 451 – Senior Seminar (2 credit hours)
    • 3 elective hours of Bible (BIB) or Religion (REL)

Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Bible—Vocational Missions

Because many students are interested in preparing to serve in mission and ministry roles while supporting themselves in another occupation or vocation, the Vocational Missions major was created to provide a brief yet balanced study of biblical and missions concerns. This degree program is designed to serve a student who desires enough Bible and missions training to serve in a ministry role in a small church or mission area, but whose primary major is in another discipline. This degree program is also designed to serve a student who already has a bachelor's degree but would like to change careers.

To be eligible for this major, the student must have a primary major outside the school of biblical studies. Students who have previously completed a bachelor's degree at an accredited institution are also eligible to complete this degree.

  1. Satisfy all of the university's requirements for a bachelor's degree, including the following:
    • General Institutional Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree
    • General Education Requirements
    • Writing Competency Requirements
    • Bible Course Requirement
    • Diversity Requirement
    • Career Development System (CDS) Requirement
    If a student has already received a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, it will be assumed that the above requirements for a bachelor's degree have been met.
  2. Complete a primary major outside the School of Biblical Studies.
  3. Meet the following grade requirements:
    • Earn at least a 2.5 GPA on all Bible-related course work.
    • Earn no hours of D on Bible-related course work required for graduation [green addition effective fall 2007].
  4. Give the School of Biblical Studies a formal declaration of intent Bible—Vocational Missions degree; this declaration should be given as soon as possible so that a suitable plan of study can be made.
  5. Complete at least 24 credit hours of upper-level Bible (BIB) courses at Ohio Valley University; at least nine of these credit hours must be in textual studies courses.
  6. Complete 36 credit hours, distributed as follows (see below for a listing of which courses meet each requirement):
    • 8 credit hours in Bible core courses. The following courses are required:
      • BIB 106 Life of Christ (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 107 Acts through Revelation (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 205 Old Testament Survey (2 credit hours)
      • BIB 206 Christian Thought (2 credit hours)
    • 9 credit hours in textual studies courses, with at least five hours in New Testament.
    • 3 credit hours in doctrinal and historical studies courses; BIB 347 – Scripture Interpretation (3 credit hours) is required.
    • 12 credit hours in practical ministry courses. The following are required:
      • BIB 320 Personal Evangelism (3 credit hours) or
        BIB 353 Urban Ministry (3 credit hours) [green addition effective fall 2007]
      • BIB 322 Introduction to Missions (3 credit hours)
      • SoC 341 Cultural Anthropology (3 credit hours)
      • REL 441 Major World Religions (3 credit hours)
    • BIB 451 – Senior Seminar (2 credit hours)
    • 2 elective hours of Bible (BIB) or Religion (REL). Recommended: Ministry Field Laboratory (BIB 325) or Practicum in Ministry (BIB 425) with an emphasis in missions.

Classification of Bible Courses

Students completing Bible majors, Bible minors, or Bible certificates should use the following classification of courses to determine which courses fulfill course distribution requirements.

Textual Studies

Certain Biblical Language Studies courses also may count as textual studies courses; see below.
BIB 304 Pastoral Epistles (3 credit hours)
BIB 305 Galatians and Romans (3 credit hours)
BIB 306 Acts (2 credit hours)
BIB 307 Hebrews (3 credit hours)
BIB 308 I Corinthians (2 credit hours)
BIB 309 Selected Pauline Epistles (2 credit hours)
BIB 310 Synoptic Gospels (3 credit hours)
BIB 311 General Epistles (2 credit hours)
BIB 312 Gospel of John (2 credit hours)
BIB 313 Pentateuch (3 credit hours)
BIB 315 Joshua-Esther (3 credit hours)
BIB 401 Old Testament Wisdom Literature (3 credit hours)
BIB 402 Luke-Acts (3 credit hours)
BIB 403 Major Prophets (3 credit hours)
BIB 405 Minor Prophets (3 credit hours)
BIB 406 Acts (3 credit hours)
BIB 407 Daniel and Revelation (3 credit hours)
BIB 408 1-2 Corinthians (3 credit hours)
BIB 412 Gospel of John (3 credit hours)

Biblical Language Studies

BIB 161 New Testament Greek I (3 credit hours)
BIB 162 New Testament Greek II (3 credit hours)
BIB 261 Hebrew I (3 credit hours)
BIB 262 Hebrew II (3 credit hours)
The following readings courses may count as textual studies courses unless they are required for the major or minor.
BIB 265 Greek Readings I (3 credit hours)
BIB 266 Greek Readings II (3 credit hours)
BIB 363 Hebrew Readings I (3 credit hours)
BIB 364 Hebrew Readings II (3 credit hours)
BIB 365 Greek Readings III (3 credit hours)
BIB 366 Greek Readings IV (3 credit hours)

Doctrinal and Historical Studies

BIB 343 Old Testament Doctrine (3 credit hours)
BIB 344 Christian Evidences (2 credit hours)
BIB 345 New Testament Doctrine (3 credit hours)
BIB 346 Contemporary Religious Doctrines (3 credit hours)
BIB 347 Scripture Interpretation (3 credit hours)
BIB 348 New Testament Church (2 credit hours)
REL 341 History of the Christian Church (3 credit hours)
REL 342 Restoration Church History (3 credit hours)
REL 371 Christian Ethics (3 credit hours)
REL 441 Major World Religions (3 credit hours)

Practical Ministry

BIB 225 Introduction to Ministry Seminar (2 credit hours)
BIB 320 Personal Evangelism (3 credit hours)
BIB 321 Educational Program of the Church (3 credit hours)
BIB 322 Introduction to Missions (3 credit hours)
BIB 323 Sermon Preparation and Delivery (3 credit hours)
BIB 324 Advanced Homiletics (3 credit hours)
BIB 325 Ministry Field Laboratory (1-6 credit hours)
BIB 327 Religious Speaking for Women (3 credit hours)
BIB 329 Women in Christian Service (3 credit hours)
BIB 332 Global Missions Awareness (2 credit hours)
BIB 351 Youth Ministry (3 credit hours)
BIB 352 Ministerial Counseling (3 credit hours)
BIB 413 Teaching the Bible (2 credit hours)
BIB 415 Personal Spiritual Development (2 credit hours)
BIB 421 Church Growth and Leadership Dynamics (3 credit hours)
BIB 425 Practicum in Ministry (3 credit hours)
BIB 451 Senior Seminar (2 credit hours)

The following courses may also be counted as practical ministry courses; except for Marriage and Family (PSY 211), these courses do not fulfill the university's Bible course requirement.
COM 321 Public Speaking (3 credit hours)
COM 331 Interpersonal Speaking (3 credit hours)
COM 332 Argumentation and Persuasion (3 credit hours)
MUS 122 Song Leading and Worship Skills (1 credit hour)
PSY 211 Marriage and Family (3 credit hours)
PSY 342 Group Dynamics (3 credit hours)
PSY 350 Family Systems (3 credit hours)
PSY 352 Introduction to Counseling (3 credit hours)
PSY 371 Personality Theories (3 credit hours)
PSY 426 Counseling Theory (3 credit hours)
PSY 472 Abnormal Psychology (3 credit hours)
SOC 341 Cultural Anthropology (3 credit hours)
SOC 381 Introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
SOC 382 Conflict Meditation (3 credit hours)
SOC 383 Diversity Management (3 credit hours)

Changes for the fall of 2007 are in green.

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Last updated May 31, 2007.
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