MA/Old Testament
and Semitic Languages
36 credit hours | 2-3 years
Why study Old Testament and Semitic Languages at TEDS?
This program is excellent preparation for further academic work at the graduate or doctoral level. Typically, MA/OT students pursue careers in teaching and writing. Other students whose vocations are ministry-related have found that the MA/OT provides the grounding in Scripture they need for effective teaching and wise living. This program also prepares students to teach at some Christian secondary schools or Christian colleges. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to work closely with a faculty advisor while writing a master’s thesis.
WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR
ADMISSION TO THIS PROGRAM?
In addition to the requirements for general admission, you’ll need the following:
- An undergraduate major or its equivalent which includes 6 hours of undergrad Hebrew (with an acceptable score on Trinity’s Hebrew proficiency exam), 6 hours of theology, and 12 hours of Bible (not including beginning languages).
- An undergrad GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is preferred; scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) are required if your GPA is less than 3.0.
WHAT WILL I STUDY?
The courses you’ll take include the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
| ID 5000 | Biblical Theology and Interpretation | 3 hours |
| ST 5201 | Theology I: The God of the Gospel | 3 hours |
| ST 5202 | Theology II: The Gospel of God | 3 hours |
| Required: | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| OT 5242 | Hebrew Exegesis | 3 hours |
| OT 8911 | OT Studies I: Pentateuch and Historical Books |
2 hours |
| OT 8912 | OT Studies II: Poetry and Prophets | 2 hours |
| Select 5–6 hours of Hebrew Language from: | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| OT 5250 | Hebrew Reading Skills | 2 hours |
| OT 7210 | Exegesis of Genesis | 3 hours |
| OT 7230 | Exegesis of Psalms | 3 hours |
| OT 7250 | Exegesis of Isaiah | 3 hours |
| OT 8000 | Seminar (when topic is Hebrew Studies; approval by dept chair) | 3 hours |
| OT 8720 | Advanced Hebrew Exegesis: (Book) | 3 hours |
| OT 8729 | Advanced Hebrew Studies: (Topic) | 3 hours |
| Select 3 hours of Cognate Languages from: | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| OT 7010 | Biblical Aramaic | 3 hours |
| OT 7014 | Extrabiblical Aramaic | 3 hours |
| OT 7020 or 7021 |
Akkadian I or II | 3 hours |
| OT 7030 | Ugaritic | 3 hours |
| OT 7040 | Syriac | 3 hours |
| OT 7410 | West Semitic Inscriptions | 3 hours |
| OT 7415 |
Middle Egyptian | 3 hours |
| OT 8000 | Seminar (when topic is Cognate Lang; approval by dept chair) | 3 hours |
| Select 9 hours of Old Testament Elective Studies from: |
||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| OT 5050 | Geography of Bible Lands | 3 hours |
| OT 5060 | Development of the Old Testament Canon | 3 hours |
| OT 6251 | Interpreting the Pentateuch and Former Prophets | 3 hours |
| OT 6252 | Interpreting the Latter Prophets | 3 hours |
| OT 7090 | Old Testament Theology | 3 hours |
| OT 7420 | Ancient Near Eastern Religions | 3 hours |
| OT 7425 | Egypt and the Bible | 3 hours |
| OT 7430 | Origins of Israel | 3 hours |
| OT 7432 | Warfare in OT and Ancient NE | 3 hours |
| OT 7435 | History of Israel | 3 hours |
| OT 7440 | History of the Ancient Near East | 3 hours |
| OT 7460 | Qumran Scrolls | 3 hours |
| OT 8000 | Seminar: Current Issues (approval by dept chair) |
3 hours |
| OT 8723 |
Old Testament Textual Criticism | 3 hours |
| ST 7395 | Hermeneutics | 3 hours |
| Note: Up to 3 hours of the Capstone may be applied in the Concentration Core | ||
| Note: OT 5000, NT 5000, and English Bible courses (OT 5100, NT 5100, NT 5175) are not applicable to the MA program. | ||
Field Education |
||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| PT 5090 | Field Ed (two semesters) | –or– |
| PT 5090 | Field Ed (one semester) and ID 5080 Formation Group (two semesters) | 0 hours |
MA/OT Capstone (1-3 hours) |
||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| MA/OT Major Comprehensive Exam | 1 hour | |
| OT 7485 | MA Thesis | 1–3 hours |
FIELD EDUCATION
All MA/OT students must complete a field education requirement. Learn more about field ed here.
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