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Classical Theology Certificate

Talbot School of Theology

Overview

The Classical Theology Certificate invites students into the theological riches of the Christian tradition. Classic expositions of Scripture, from many cultures and from across the patristic, medieval, Reformation, and modern eras, will be our “textbooks.” Following the classic Christianity embodied in these texts, every class seeks to integrate theology, history, and exegesis together with personal spirituality for the sake of the church.

Students in the Classical Theology Certificate will experience a Socratic pedagogy in the classroom or online. That is, class time is largely devoted to faculty-led discussion of classic Christian texts.

Participants experience select courses in Common Places, Master Practitioners and the Sacred Page from Talbot School of Theology's Master of Arts in Classical Theology — courses that can apply toward the full graduate degree for those who choose to continue.

This certificate can be completed on campus, online or in a hybrid format. Please note that the program can only be completed part time if it is done fully online.

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Courses

Below are the course requirements for this academic program. For full program details, .

Overview

The Classical Theology Certificate introduces students to basic Christian doctrine, to the virtues of classical theological formation, and to the skills of Socratic discussion. Students then sample the Common Places, Master Practitioners, and Sacred Page coursework from Talbot's Master of Arts - Classical Theology program in courses that can later be applied to the full graduate degree, if desired.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Classical Theology Certificate, students will demonstrate an introductory ability to:

  1. Analyze and synthesize the works of classical Christian theologians for the sake of retrieval (ULO 1).
  2. Analyze and synthesize the doctrines of the Christian faith using key theological convictions, habits, and strategies undergirding classical theology (ULO 1 and ULO 3).
  3. Analyze and interpret biblical texts with theological awareness and in conversation with the history of Christian interpretation (ULO 1)
  4. Appropriate the spiritual/formational insights of classical theology in personal, academic, and social contexts (ULO 2).

Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the of this catalog.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must possess a Bachelor of Arts degree or its academic equivalent from an accredited college with a minimum grade point average of 2.6 (on a 4.0 scale). Applicants who do not possess a Bachelor of Arts degree or its academic equivalent from an accredited institution may still apply and may be provisionally admitted at the discretion of Talbot School of Theology.

Completion Requirements

  1. Satisfactorily complete all courses for a total of 18 semester credits as outlined in the curriculum below.
  2. Complete the online introduction to theological research and writing by the end of the first semester.
  3. Obtain a 2.5 GPA with no grade below a C- in all courses to be credited toward completion.
  4. Complete the entire program in no more than five years.

Curriculum Requirements

Each course must be completed with a C- or above.

Program Courses
Introduction to Classical Theology3
Common Places
Choose 1 from the following:3
Common Places: Scripture
Common Places: The Triune God
Common Places: Christology
Common Places: Atonement
Common Places: Anthropology
Common Places: Pneumatology
Seminar 1
Master Practitioners
Choose 1 from the following:3
Master Practitioners: Irenaeus and Athanasius
Master Practitioners: Augustine
Master Practitioners: Anselm
Master Practitioners: Thomas Aquinas
Master Practitioners: Martin Luther
Master Practitioners: John Calvin
Master Practitioners: Jonathan Edwards
Master Practitioners: Karl Barth
Seminar 1
Sacred Page
Choose 2 from the following:6
Sacred Page: Genesis
Sacred Page: Deuteronomy
Sacred Page: Psalms
Sacred Page: Exodus
Sacred Page: Isaiah
Sacred Page: Matthew
Sacred Page: John
Sacred Page: Romans
Sacred Page: Ephesians
Sacred Page: Hebrews
Seminar 1
Electives
Choose 3 credits from the following courses: 3
Colloquium 2
Common Places: Scripture
Common Places: The Triune God
Common Places: Christology
Common Places: Atonement
Common Places: Anthropology
Common Places: Pneumatology
Master Practitioners: Irenaeus and Athanasius
Master Practitioners: Augustine
Master Practitioners: Anselm
Master Practitioners: Thomas Aquinas
Master Practitioners: Martin Luther
Master Practitioners: John Calvin
Master Practitioners: Jonathan Edwards
Master Practitioners: Karl Barth
Sacred Page: Genesis
Sacred Page: Deuteronomy
Sacred Page: Psalms
Sacred Page: Exodus
Sacred Page: Isaiah
Sacred Page: Matthew
Sacred Page: John
Sacred Page: Romans
Sacred Page: Ephesians
Sacred Page: Hebrews
Seminar 2
Total Credits18
1

May be taken multiple times with different content. Must be taken for a combined total of 3 credits.

2

May be taken multiple times with different content.

18
Total Credits
Every program at 91Ƭ University features rigorous academics, biblically integrated curriculum and vocational preparation.
WSCUC (Pending)
Accreditation
Biola University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.

Admissions & Deadlines

As a Christian institution, Biola seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation toward their field of study. Biola does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

Education and GPA Requirements

  • You must have a bachelor degree from an accredited institution by the time you plan to start coursework at 91Ƭ, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Note: If you do not meet the degree or GPA requirements above, you may still be considered for admission. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions office at graduate.admissions@biola.edu. If you are an international student, contact grad.international@biola.edu.

English Proficiency Requirements

  • If English is not your first language, you are required to display your English proficiency before admittance into a Biola University graduate program. See “English Proficiency” in the application steps section below.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • General: July 1
    • International Students
      • On Campus: June 1
      • Online/Hybrid: July 1
  • Spring Semester
    • General: November 1
    • International Students: October 1

Application Steps

  1. Complete and submit the

  2. Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee

  3. Submit supplemental application materials through your online application portal:

  4. Official Transcripts

    • Submit all official transcripts from previous academic institutions.
      • Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
      • If enrolled at the time the application is filed, be sure to request transcripts of work finished to date and final transcripts upon completion of your course of study.
      • Transcripts will be considered official only when a) mailed directly from the institution to Biola, b) sent electronically through an approved vendor or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.
        • Mail transcripts to:
          Biola University Office of Graduate Admissions
          13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
    • Note for International Students: All international transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (i.e. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by a credential evaluation agency like (Biola Discount), or . Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have SpanTran/WES/FIS send them directly to Biola University via online portal or post (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.

    Two Reference Letters

    • Pastoral reference
    • Character reference (someone in a leadership role in your life)
    • Note: Additional instructions can be found in the online application.

    Two Essays

    • Christian testimony
    • Vocational testimony
    • Note: The essay prompts can be found in the online application.

    English Proficiency (required for non-native English speakers)

    • Evidence of English proficiency is required for all students to support student success. Proficiency must be shown through one of the methods described below:
      • Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test
        • TOEFL: minimum score of 100 iBT
        • IELTS: minimum score of 7.5
        • Duolingo: minimum score of 125
      • A degree (bachelor, master or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
        • Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
        • Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
        • Official catalog verification
        • Note: For universities from non-Anglophone countries, further language assessment may be required.

     

    Additional Forms

    • “Change of Program” Form: 

    •  

    Things to Note

    • Track your application status at any time. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You can complete a portion and finish at a later time. Your information will be saved. When you apply, to guarantee confidentiality, you will be asked to create a user name and a password, and will receive a personalized identification number. Track your application status by logging in to the .
    • Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.
    • International students who will be studying on campus are required to apply for an F-1 student visa. For more information, visit biola.edu/international/admitted-students.

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