Available online
125 credits
125 credits
required for program
Available online
Department of Biblical & Theological Studies
Biblical & Theological Studies
Department of Biblical & Theological Studies
Biblical & Theological Studies
- Bachelor of Arts
- Undergraduate
Find your mission as you follow your passion to study God’s Word. Immerse yourself in theological topics. Interpret biblical passages and discover their relevance to life. See how church history shaped theology. Read the Bible in its original languages. Get cultural perspective on people and customs in the Bible. Enrich your experience by studying abroad in Israel. Be rewarded for excellence in your studies.
Biblical and theological studies may be the right degree for you if you
- love to study the Bible
- are interested in theology and how to live out your faith
- want to learn biblical languages (Greek, Hebrew)
Why choose biblical and theological studies at Northwestern?
Be prepared for a meaningful career using advanced training in biblical interpretation and theology. Discover and develop your unique skills in teaching, research, and ministry. Establish a solid biblical foundation to equip you in serving God wherever He leads you.
Study Scripture in-depth by gaining knowledge of New Testament Greek. Learn from Christian scholars with expertise in Bible translation techniques.
Gain theological insight by studying themes (“biblical theology”) and categories (“systematic theology”). Find out how these ideas have been shaped over time (“historical theology”). Discuss ideas with classmates and professors.
Expand your cultural awareness about the customs, context, and geography of the Bible. Understand how personal and cultural biases affect biblical interpretation.
Consider enhancing your major with a minor in Ancient & Classical Languages or a related field.
Experience more
There's more to experience outside the classroom:
- Present a paper at the Undergraduate Theology Conference
- Discover first-hand what it’s like to do archaeological excavation
- Get involved in local ministry
- Collaborate with faculty on research and publication projects
- Share your ideas in our Science & Theology chapel series
- Explore the culture and rich history of the land of the Bible by studying abroad in Israel
You may qualify for induction into our local chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society. You may also receive an award for outstanding work in Greek, Hebrew, and theology.
Accelerated Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS)
Planning on graduate school? An affordable option is to combine an undergraduate B.A. degree in Biblical and Theological Studies with an accelerated Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS). Apply through the Biblical & Theological Studies department for this track designed to save you time and money. You’ll complete 14 credits of the MATS degree during your undergraduate program. You can complete the remaining 22 credits during one extra year of graduate study on campus or online. You have the option to culminate your MATS program with the writing of a thesis guided by a faculty member. This accelerated pathway saves you 14 credits of graduate tuition expense as you add a MATS degree to your portfolio in one year.
5 ways to save on tuition
Take advantage of opportunities to save money as a Biblical and Theological Studies major:
- Take free test-out exams for Survey of the Old Testament and New Testament (earn up to 6 credits)
- Apply for Northwestern's Eagle Scholars honors program with generous scholarships for high-achieving students
- As a Biblical and Theological Studies major, you may qualify for select ministry scholarships and more
- Earn free college credits through PSEO classes at Northwestern (for Minnesota residents)
- Consider taking affordable online courses to graduate sooner
What will I learn?
You will learn to perform advanced biblical interpretation, evaluate current issues using theological methods, explain Christian theology, and develop your skills in communication, research, and analysis.
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of seniors view the faculty as available and accessible
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of graduates plan on further education
Careers in biblical and theological studies
A variety of career and academic pathways will emerge for you with a degree in biblical and theological studies.
What types of work are related to this degree?
- Pastoral ministry
- Bible translation
- Leadership in nonprofit organizations
- Research and writing
- Theological librarian
- Chaplain
- University professor
- Para-church ministry
- Christian education
- Missions
- Communication
- Camp ministry
Who employs people with this degree?
- Christian camps
- Christian colleges
- Denominational offices
- Government
- Local churches
- Mission agencies
- Para-church organizations
- Prisons
- Seminaries
- National/International humanitarian aid organizations
- Christian service organizations
- Curriculum and publishing companies
Strategies for success:
- Enhance your Biblical and Theological Studies major by studying abroad in Israel.
- Aim high to be inducted into the national honor society Theta Alpha Kappa, which helps you stand out from the crowd and looks good on graduate school applications.
- Get career advice from your professors or Northwestern alumni who are doing what you'd like to do someday.
- If teaching the Bible or theology sounds interesting, apply for a job as a Teaching Assistant (TA) to gain experience and be mentored by a professor.
- Try it out! Present your theological research at conferences and do research projects with Biblical and Theological Studies faculty.
- If you want to be a pastor, seek out ways to get involved in a local church. Find out what your denomination requires in formal education and experience.
- Many transferable skills such as analyzing and synthesizing data, research, communication skills and critical thinking are associated with the biblical and theological studies degree.
- Expertise in religious ideas can be a plus for secular work environments, as well as more traditional ones.
- An undergraduate degree prepares students for professional and graduate study in seminary, business, law, medicine, counseling, higher education and other fields. Be sure to check for prerequisite classes needed to enter various graduate programs.
Professional associations:
- Evangelical Theological Society
- Society of Biblical Literature
- American Protestant Correctional Chaplains Association (APCCA)
- Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)
- Association of Professional Chaplains
- International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC)
- National Institute of Business and Industrial Chaplaincy (NIBIC)
- Christian Camp and Conference Association
- American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC)
- National Association of Evangelicals
Discover the Department of Biblical & Theological Studies
Professors at Northwestern are focused on their students first. Our faculty include experts in their respective fields who want to help you grow in your faith while you earn your degree.
Meet the staff Explore the department