M.A. in Biblical Exegesis and Linguistics (M.A./BEL)

Download the M.A. in Biblical Exegesis and Linguistics degree plan. (133KB)

Purpose

The program leading to the Master of Arts in Biblical Exegesis and Linguistics degree is designed to provide graduate-level training for people who desire instruction in Bible translation. It is designed for missionary recruits from America and other nations, furloughing and in-service missionaries, and translation support personnel. It is offered jointly with the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL), which prepares people for service with Wycliffe Bible Translators and other organizations. (The program only fulfills the minimum requirements for the first term of service with Wycliffe Bible Translators.) The New Testament Studies department is responsible for administering the program on campus.

Goals

Educational Goals

To enable students to:

  • exegete the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible
  • form a basic theological foundation as a grid for Bible translation
  • apply basic principles of hermeneutics in Bible study and Bible translation
  • engage in collaborative work with speakers of minority languages record an unfamiliar language using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) apply basic principles of hermeneutics in Bible study and Bible translation
  • employ computational tools to construct a phonological analysis, descriptive grammar, partial lexicography, and interlinear text of a minority language
  • discover his/her language learning style and practice various language learning methods
  • conduct and record participatory observations in a cross-cultural setting.

Spiritual Goals

To enable students to:

  • evidence an increasing likeness to Christ as manifested in love for God, love for others, and the fruit of the Spirit
  • evidence commitment to world evangelism
  • evidence an awareness of spiritual conflict and the resources in Christ.

Ministry Goals

To enable students to:

  • translate the Bible effectively in a cross-cultural context
  • produce an accurate profile of the chosen country or area of the world
  • design an effective strategy for cross-cultural ministry.

Course Requirements

Sixty-two semester hours of course work are required as a minimum for graduation. Of those hours, 18 are prescribed in linguistics and language, 12 in Greek grammar and exegesis, 12 in Hebrew grammar and exegesis, 3 in biblical manners and customs, 3 in theology of world missions, 9 in Bible Exposition, and 5 in Systematic and Historical Theology. The New Testament Studies department advises students in this program. Career guidance is also available from the GIAL staff.

Substitutions may be made for required courses with appropriate departmental approval. Students who have linguistics background or training should consult the GIAL registrar for course advice.

Linguistics and related translation courses are offered on the campus of GIAL in Dallas. Biblical and theological course work, as well as course work in biblical languages, is offered at Dallas Seminary. A Spiritual Formation group supervised by the Department of World Missions and Intercultural Studies is designed to meet the needs of this group of students.

Completion of course requirements for the M.A./BEL requires careful planning on the part of students as they seek to coordinate course work at two institutions. Every attempt is made to facilitate the completion of the program in two calendar years for full-time students. However, students should be aware that the linguistics courses from GIAL require prerequisites that may extend the length of the program. Before students begin their studies in the M.A./BEL, they should consult the DTS registrar to develop a degree plan for completing requirements. This plan will include input from GIAL on the completion of linguistics requirements.

GIAL has designed their courses to be taught in six-month bimesters, from either January through June or July through December. Each bimester is divided into four sessions. Dallas Seminary follows a regular early-semester calendar. This may result in the overlap of DTS courses with GIAL courses in a given term. The following curriculum chart shows two options for completing the M.A./BEL in two or two-and-one-half years. In Option 1 most of the GIAL course work is taken at the beginning of the program, and this option leads to the shortest route for completing the M.A./BEL requirements in two calendar years. Students should keep in mind, however, that they will begin their studies at GIAL rather than DTS. In Option 2 most of the GIAL course work follows the DTS portion of the program, and the completion time is slightly longer. Both options allow students to proceed through the M.A./BEL without interruption in the progression of DTS or GIAL courses.

Because of the unique requirements of various missions based on a student’s anticipated geographic field of ministry, prerequisite requirements for the GIAL portion of the program may vary and may include completion of the 27-hour GIAL Certificate in Applied Linguistics (of which 5207 and 5406 apply to the M.A./BEL program). Students should consult both the DTS and GIAL registrars’ offices for information on scheduling options. The Admissions Office at Dallas Seminary will also be able to assist students.

Admissions Requirements

The application process for the M.A./BEL is a dual process. Applicants for the program must apply to both Dallas Seminary and the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL), and the admission requirements of both institutions must be met. Since the program is offered by Dallas Seminary, the admission process should begin with the DTS Admissions Office. In most cases students admitted to Dallas Seminary will meet the admission requirements at GIAL. An orientation program at Dallas Seminary is designed to facilitate transition into the program and help students navigate the unique aspects of this collaborative program.

Students interested in the M.A./BEL may opt to begin their course work at GIAL. However, until they apply to DTS for admission to the program, they will not be officially enrolled in the M.A./BEL program. Students are advised to contact both institutions as soon as possible regarding their intentions to enroll in the M.A./BEL program so that adequate advice and direction can be provided.

Transfer Credits

Transfer of some credit is allowed toward the professional M.A. programs from accredited graduate theological schools.

No more than 30 hours of course work from institutions outside of Dallas Theological Seminary and the GIAL will be transferred toward the M.A. in Biblical Exegesis and Linguistics. For purposes of transfer consideration, course work from all GIAL centers will be considered as part of GIAL and not part of the 30-hour transfer limit. Some provision will be made for students to transfer work from the Jerusalem University College to the M.A. in Biblical Exegesis and Linguistics program. Entering students with missions experience in Bible translation may be eligible for advanced standing.

Students must have earned a grade of C or better for a course to be considered in transfer. Transferability of credits earned at this institution and transferred to another is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Consult the Registrar’s Office for information on eligibility for transfer credit.

Academic Procedures

A dual registration process is followed for all GIAL courses taken for the degree. Students must register through GIAL before taking linguistics courses at that campus. Dallas Seminary is then notified by GIAL and enters the courses in the DTS registration system. This allows the tracking of student status for such purposes as loan deferments, international visa requirements, etc. There is no charge for the DTS portion of the registration process for GIAL courses.

At the end of each term, GIAL sends official grade sheets to the Registrar’s Office at Dallas Seminary for transcripting of their courses. Grades earned for GIAL courses are factored into the cumulative grade point average at Dallas Seminary.