Strengthen your biblical understanding, deepen your theological knowledge, and share the Gospel. Biblical & Theological Studies (M.A.)

Enrich your ministry effectiveness and walk with Christ by pursuing an M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from the Wheaton College Graduate School.

This program offers students a strong foundation of biblical knowledge to better serve their business, organization, small group, church, and everywhere in between. Our students come from a range of backgrounds, including medical professionals, musicians, veterans, lawyers, accountants, publishers, and pastors.

Credential Type

M.A.

Major Credits Required

Duration

3 semesters for full-time students; 2- and 3-year plans for part-time students.

Format

Hybrid

3 Tracks

Pursue the Bible, theology, or general electives

691 Graduate Students

Large enough to broaden your perspective. Small enough to feel connected.

34 Average Age

Wheaton graduate students come from all over the country and at every stage in life.

Request Information

Or reach out to us anytime at graduate.admissions@wheaton.edu.

Why Wheaton for a M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies? Training for Kingdom Service

Deepen your understanding and appreciation of the global evangelical church and leave Wheaton prepared to serve society. Our M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies is designed for anyone who seeks to engage with the Bible in a meaningful way throughout their lives and careers.

A Charitable Approach

You will discuss key positions within the evangelical global church in a community that values charitable conversation. Together you and your peers will wrestle through the hard questions of faith with faculty willing to walk alongside you to find answers in evangelical theology and exegesis.

Study the Bible in English

You will study Scripture in English, rather than in Greek and Hebrew. You will be equipped to use the best English-language Biblical studies tools and resources available.

Program Goals

This program will prepare you to study the Bible and understand Christian theology in order to enrich both your ministry effectiveness and your personal Christian life. As you complete your coursework, you will form skills in three interrelated areas:

Biblical and theological knowledge
Academic skills and critical reflection
Christian life and service

Our Curriculum

As you study the Old and New Testament in English, you will gain a foundation in both biblical text and historic interpretations of the Bible. Throughout the program, you will develop and hone your research, communication, and community care skills. And, ultimately, you will use your new abilities to uncover meanings that resonate with contemporary communities today.

View Course Requirements

Sample Courses

You'll dive deep into the Bible through core and elective courses such as:

Global Church History
Foundations of Biblical Interpretation
Marginalized Voices in Old Testament Studies
New Testament I: Jesus & the Gospels

Faculty Books

ReSourcing Theological Anthropology

Dr. Marc Cortez presents the key texts, challenges, and conversations supporting theological anthropology. Guiding the reader through a methodology for forming a distinctly Christological and anthropological understanding, he then employs such an approach to the key issues impacting the understanding of human personhood today.

God’s Messiah in the Old Testament: Expectations of a Coming King

Dr. Andy Abernethy, alongside coauthor Dr. Gregory Goswell, discusses the themes of kingship and the Messiah as embedded within the Old Testament texts. The book also highlights how New Testament writers interpret Old Testament discussions of kingship.

Discovering Isaiah

Dr. Andy Abernethy provides a discussion of the various interpretive methods used with the book of Isaiah. It gives particular attention to the reception history of Isaiah as well.

Our Faculty Compassionate and Intelligent Educators

Learn from faculty members with expertise in a range of areas, including Old Testament, New Testament, Christian doctrine, faith and politics, Christian ethics, global theology, and ancient cultures. Our compassionate educators will deepen your knowledge of the Bible within its geographic, historical, cultural, and social contexts.

Andrew Abernethy, Ph.D.

Acting Associate Dean of Graduate Biblical and Theological Studies, Professor of Old Testament, Director of M.A. in Biblical Exegesis

Vincent Bacote, Ph.D.

Professor of Theology, Director of Center for Applied Christian Ethics

Jeffrey W. Barbeau, Ph.D.

Professor of Theology

Aubrey Buster, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Old Testament

M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas), Ph.D.

Scripture Press Ministries Professor of Biblical Studies and Pedagogy

Joel Chopp, Ph.D.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology

Marc Cortez, Ph.D.

Dean of the Litfin School, Professor of Theology, Director of M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies

Grant Flynn, Ph.D.

Visiting Assistant Professor of New Testament

Michael Graves, Ph.D.

Armerding Professor of Biblical Studies

Keith Johnson, Ph.D.

Professor of Theology, Undergraduate Chair

George Kalantzis, Ph.D.

Professor of Theology, Director of The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies

Timothy Larsen, Ph.D., D.D.

Carolyn and Fred McManis Professor of Christian Thought and Professor of History

David Lauber, Ph.D.

Dean of Humanities and Theological Studies, Professor of Theology

Gregory Lee, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Theology and Urban Studies, Senior Fellow of The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies, Theme Coordinator of Aequitas Fellows Program in Urban Leadership

Alexander Massad, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of World Religions

Daniel Master, Ph.D.

Professor of Archaeology

Esau McCaulley, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of New Testament

Emily H. McGowin, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Theology

Jennifer Powell McNutt, Ph.D.

Franklin S. Dyrness Associate Professor in Biblical and Theological Studies Director of M.A. in History of Christianity Director of M.A. in Theology

Adam E. Miglio, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Archaeology, Director of M.A. in Old Testament Archaeology

Rev. Amy Peeler, Ph.D.

Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament

Jordan Ryan

Associate Professor of New Testament

Philip Graham Ryken, DPhil

Professor of Theology, President

Richard Schultz, Ph.D.

Blanchard Professor of Old Testament

Carlos Sosa Siliezar, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of New Testament

Daniel Treier, Ph.D.

Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Theology Director of Ph.D. Program

Alumni Perspectives

Leading the Way

"The M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies is perfect on-the-job biblical training. It’s accessible, it deepens my biblical foundation, and it shapes my ministry."

— David Prince M.A., '14, Pastor at Living Word Church

David Prince earned his bachelor's degree at Wheaton College. After working in the graphics and printing industry for a number of years, he began his ministry career — first as a volunteer, than as a youth pastor. He returned to his alma mater to pursue a master's degree in Biblical and Theological Studies and today serves as lead pastor at Living World Church in Lansing, Illinois.

Biblical and Theological Studies women enjoying a day out in Chicago

BTS Grad Women's Fellowship

The Biblical and Theological Studies (BTS) Grad Women’s Fellowship was started over a decade ago to provide a space for female graduate students in the department to meet together regularly throughout the year with female faculty, build relationships, provide support, and enjoy each other’s company. The group was started by Dr. Karen Jobes (Faculty Emerita) and is led today by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt and Rev. Dr. Amy Peeler. Food, fellowship, and prayer are the focus of our time together. If you are a female Bible and Theology student in an M.A. or Ph.D. program, please join us! Feel free to email bts.graduate.studies@wheaton.edu with any questions.

Steve Gaskin, MA in Biblical and Theological Studies Alumnus

Investing in You

Financial Wellness

The Wheaton College Graduate School Student Financial Services team can help you understand how much your degree program will cost and what scholarships, loans, and aid may be available to you.

Learn About Graduate Financial Aid

Next Steps

Interested in earning your master’s degree in Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton? Request more information or start your application today.

Graduate Admissions Request Information

Credential Type

Major Credits Required

Duration

Format

3 Tracks

691 Graduate Students

34 Average Age

Request Information

Our Curriculum

Sample Courses

Leading the Way

BTS Grad Women's Fellowship

Financial Wellness

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