Theological Studies

This program of study combines the College’s regular Theological Studies major with an Arts and Sciences core and a minor(s) of the student’s choice. The primary purpose in offering this program is to provide for those who want to pursue several areas of study with a heavy offering of theology. This program cannot exist without a minor; students pursuing this program must add a minor(s).

Requirements: 124 hours (minimum), with a C average (2.00 g.p.a.) overall and in each segment of the degree.

(1) Arts and Sciences Core, 50 hours:

• BIO 1001, 1011. Systems in Biological Science and Lab, 4
• BUS 1150. Microcomputer Applications, 0
• ENG 1111, 1122. Grammar and Composition I, II, 6
• ENG 2111, 2122. Masterpieces of World Literature I, II, 6
• HIS 1011, 1022. History of Western Civilization I, II, 6
• HIS 3201. Church History, 3
• IDS 1501. Leadership and Calling: Personal Development and Leadership Principles, 2
• IDS 2102. Foundations for Civic Engagement, 2
• MAT 1101. College Algebra, 3
• MUS 1002. Music Introduction and Appreciation, 3
• PHE 2100. Lifetime Fitness and PHE activity elective, 3
• PHL 3602. Christian Philosophy, 3
• PSY 2001. General Psychology, 3
• SPE 1000. Fundamentals of Speech, 3
• SSC 3101. Marriage and Family, 3

(2) Theological Studies Major, 46 hours:

• BIB 1011, 1031, 2032, 2062. Bible Survey, 10
• BIB 1100. Introduction to Biblical Studies, 2
• BIB 1250. Evangelism and Discipleship, 2
• BIB 2601. Biblical Interpretation, 3
• IDS 1902, 3101, 4101. Christianity, Culture, and Worldview, 6 (for content purposes, these
• courses are shared with the A/S Core)
• MIN 1011 Local Church and World Missions, 2
• MIN 4253 Christian Worship, 2
• THE 3102 Christian Ethics, 3
• THE 3251, 3301, 3402. Systematic Theology I, II, III, 8
• THE 4032. Eschatology, 2
• BIB/THE 4000. Electives, 6 (at least 3 of these hours must include the BIB prefix)

(3) Minor concentration(s), 18-24 hours (typical)

(4) Electives (if required to reach a degree total of a minimum of 124 hours)

This program of study combines the College’s regular Theological Studies major with an Arts and Sciences core and a Professional Education Core and has the purpose of preparing students to teach Bible at the high school level. The primary purpose in offering this program is to provide for those who plan to teach in Christian schools. It leads to licensure by the Tennessee State Department of Education to teach Bible in grades 6-12. Licensure also requires successful completion of the Praxis II Assessments, according to minimum scores set by the Tennessee State Department of Education.

Requirements: 124 hours, with a 2.75 g.p.a. overall, in all majors for licensure, and the Professional Core, which is required for admission to the program, admission to Student Teaching, graduation, and licensure. Otherwise, a minimum 2.00 g.p.a. is required in each segment of the degree.

(1) Arts and Sciences Core, 41 hours:

• BIO 1001, 1011. Systems in Biological Science and Lab, 4
• BUS 1150. Microcomputer Applications, 0
• ENG 1111, 1122. Grammar and Composition I, II, 6
• ENG 2111, 2122. Masterpieces of World Literature I, II, 6
• HIS 1011, 1022. History of Western Civilization I, II, 6
• IDS 1501. Leadership and Calling: Personal Development and Leadership Principles, 2
• IDS 2102. Foundations for Civic Engagement, 2
• MAT 1101. College Algebra, 3
• MUS 1002. Music Introduction and Appreciation, 3
• PHE 2100. Lifetime Fitness and PHE activity elective, 3
• SPE 1000. Fundamentals of Speech, 3
• SSC 3101. Marriage and Family, 3

(2) Theological Studies Major, 48 hours (those obtaining licensure in a second area may take the 30-hour Theological Studies Major):

• BIB 1011, 1031, 2032, 2062. Bible Survey, 10
• BIB 1100. Introduction to Biblical Studies, 2
• BIB 1250. Evangelism and Discipleship, 2
• BIB 2601. Biblical Interpretation, 3
• IDS 1902, 3101, 4101. Christianity, Culture, and Worldview, 6 (for content purposes, these courses are shared with the A/S Core)
• PHL 3602. Christian Phil., 3 (for content purposes, this course is shared with the A/S Core)
• THE 3102. Christian Ethics, 3
• THE 3251, 3301, 3402. Systematic Theology I, II, III, 8
• THE 4032. Eschatology, 2
• BIB/THE 3000. Electives, 3
• BIB/THE 4000. Electives, 6 (at least 3 of these hours must include the BIB prefix)

(3) Professional Education Core, 35 hours:

• PSY 2402. Lifespan Development, 3
• EDU 2001. Introduction to Education, 2
• EDU 2102. Educational Psychology, 2
• EDU 3412. Classroom Management, 2
• EDU 3801. The Exceptional Child, 3
• EDU 4201. School Assessment, 2
• EDU 4302. Methods and Materials of Secondary Education, 3
• EDU 4332. Teaching Reading and Writing in the Content Areas, 3
• EDU 4401. History and Philosophy of Education, 2
• EDU 4450. Introduction to Student Teaching, 1
• EDU 4500. Student Teaching Seminar, 2
• EDU 4800. Enhanced Student Teaching: 6-12, 10

The Biblical Studies track at Welch College is designed to expose students to rigorous study of the biblical text. Central to this track is a firm grounding in the biblical languages. Students are required to complete two, two-year sequences of language study, in Biblical Hebrew and in Koine Greek. Additional exegesis courses on individual books or sections of the Bible are also required. We believe that the study of biblical languages serves as a foundational component of good biblical interpretation. The Biblical Studies track is ideal for students who wish to pursue graduate school, but can also be applied more broadly to all areas of ministry where applying the Bible to life is essential.

Requirements: 127 hours, with a C average (2.00 g.p.a.) overall and in each segment of the degree.

(1) Arts and Sciences Core, 53 hours:

• BIO 1001, 1011. Systems in Biological Science and Lab, 4
• BUS 1150. Microcomputer Applications, 0
• ENG 1111, 1122. Grammar and Composition I, II, 6
• ENG 2111, 2122. Masterpieces of World Literature I, II, 6
• HIS 1011, 1022. History of Western Civilization I, II, 6
• IDS 1501. Leadership and Calling: Personal Development and Leadership Principles, 2
• IDS 2102. Foundations for Civic Engagement, 2
• LNG 2013-2026. Beginning Koine Greek I, II, 6
• MAT 1101. College Algebra, 3
• MUS 1002. Music Introduction and Appreciation, 3
• PHE 2100. Lifetime Fitness and PHE activity elective, 3
• PHL 3602. Christian Philosophy, 3
• SPE 1000. Fundamentals of Speech, 3
• SSC 3101. Marriage and Family, 3
• (2) Theological Studies, 74 hours:

(a) Bible and Theology Major, 37 hours:

• BIB 1011, 1031, 2032, 2062. Bible Survey, 10
• BIB 1100. Introduction to Biblical Studies, 2
• BIB 1250. Evangelism and Discipleship, 2
• BIB 2601. Biblical Interpretation, 3
• LNG 3035. Intermediate Koine Greek II, 3
• THE 3251. Systematic Theology I, 2
• THE 3301. Systematic Theology II, 3
• THE 3402. Systematic Theology III, 3
• THE 4032. Eschatology, 2
• THE 4855. Free Will Baptist History, 2
• BIB/THE 3000. Electives, 2
• BIB 4000. Electives, 3

(b) Ministry Core, 17 hours:

• IDS 1902, 3101, 4101. Christianity, Culture and Worldview, 6 (for content purposes, these  courses are shared with the A/S Core)
• MIN 1011. Local Church and World Missions, 2
• MIN 3011. Christian Ministry, 3
• MIN 3111, 3122. Homiletics, 4
• MIN 4253. Christian Worship, 2

(c) Biblical Studies Track, 20 hours:

• LNG 3014-3025. Beginning Biblical Hebrew I, II, 6
• LNG 4013-4026. Hebrew Exegesis I, II, 6
• BIB 4000. Electives, 6
• BIB 4907. Research Projects in Biblical Studies: B.A. Paper in Biblical Studies, 2

In special cases, B.A. and B.S. degree programs may be individually tailored. Combinations are only available in fields of study where the College already offers concentrations and can be assured that 25% of the major will be taught by faculty with a doctorate. Such a program will be approved only when the combination fits a student’s special interests and is a realistic Christian ministry combination.

Possibilities involved include, but are not limited to:

• Business/Youth and Family Ministry: For a dual role such as church secretary or bookkeeper and youth minister, or business manager for a Christian school and youth minister.
• ICS/Worship Ministry: For lay missionary working as a music specialist.
• ICS/Teacher Education: For a lay missionary working in an educational role.
• ICS/Youth and Family Ministry: for a lay missionary serving as a youth and family ministry specialist.

The student interested in program combination must first contact the Provost, who will arrange for a faculty committee representing the departments involved to work with the student and design a program of study subject to the Provost’s approval.

Requirements will always include essentially the same Bible major and Arts and Sciences core as in other degree programs, and a minimum total of 124 hours. The B.A. degree program will require 12 hours of language. All program combinations require approval of the Dean of the School of Theology and faculty, as well as the chair and faculty from the department that has oversight of the particular degree.