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.
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 that will equip you to serve wherever God leads you.
Fulfill your desire to study Scripture in-depth by gaining advanced 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”). Discover how these ideas have been shaped over time (“historical theology”).
Expand your cultural awareness as you learn about the customs, context, and geography of the Bible. Understand how personal and cultural biases affect biblical interpretation.
As you excel in your studies you’ll be learning transferable skills in communication, research, and analysis.
Consider enhancing your major with a minor in Ancient & Classical Languages or related field of your choice.
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
Your academic achievements will be recognized if you qualify for induction into our local chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society. You may be selected to receive an award for outstanding work in Greek, Hebrew, and theology.
Accelerated Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS)
Planning on graduate school? Consider the affordable option 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 streamlined track designed to save you time and money. You’ll complete 14 credits of the MATS degree during your undergraduate program and the remaining 22 credits during one additional 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 just one year.
5 ways to save on tuition
- Take free test-out exams in Old and New Testament History & Literature (earn up to 6 credits)
- As a Biblical and Theological Studies major, you may qualify for select ministry scholarships in addition to your financial aid package
- Apply for Northwestern's prestigious Eagle Scholars honors program with generous scholarships for high-ability students
- Complete your high school requirements and earn free college credits through PSEO classes at Northwestern (for Minnesota residents)
- Consider taking affordable online courses to graduate sooner
If you have a passion to study the Bible, want to understand important theological issues, and desire to have a career with significance, this might be the right degree for you.
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.
While at Northwestern I had the opportunity to take classes in Israel for a summer, which confirmed my love and passion for studying the Bible. I was given advice by my professors to earn a Master's degree. My B.A. in Biblical Studies from Northwestern allowed me an Advanced Placement for my M.Div.
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
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of seniors view the faculty as available and accessible
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and study abroad in Israel at Jerusalem University College
79%
of graduates plan on further education
Preparing for a Career
College graduation rates continue to increase each year making competition for jobs even greater. Set yourself apart from the crowd with the following strategies for getting started, networking, and gaining experience.
Strategies for success:
- Motivated students can complete this major in 3.5 years! (18 credits per semester)
- Students who want to gain proficiency in biblical studies, seek to understand important theological issues, and desire to have a career with significance will benefit from this major.
- To enhance the Biblical & Theological Studies major, students can study abroad in Israel, be inducted into the national honor society Theta Alpha Kappa, present theological research to peers, participate in archaeological excavations in Israel, volunteer for service projects with Biblical and Theological Studies faculty, and get involved in local ministry.
- Many transferable skills such as analyzing and synthesizing data, research, communication skills and critical thinking are associated with the biblical & 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