Academic Degrees

Appalachian Bible College offers a variety of degree programs.

• Bible Certificate
• Associate of Arts Degree
• Bachelor of Arts Degree
• Bachelor of Theology Degree
• Master of Arts in Ministry

Bible Certificate

Upon completion of the Bible Certificate, students should possess a basic knowledge of those specific areas of Bible and theology selected for study, have been introduced to tools of research in the study of the Bible, be capable of making practical application of biblical truth to their personal lives, and be able to serve more effectively as a lay person in church-related ministries.

The Bible Certificate program is especially designed for students who may be undecided as to a vocational choice and who wish to seek further direction from the Lord while enhancing their general biblical knowledge. It is especially helpful for the following individuals:

• Wives of full-time students enrolled for a degree
• Individuals who want to be better prepared to serve alongside their spouse in ministry
• Local community individuals who simply want to enhance their knowledge of spiritual truth in order to grow personally and to be more effective in lay ministry

Curriculum

The Bible Certificate curriculum involves two semesters of study at ABC. The Curriculum has:

• 19 hours of Bible/Theology/Practical Theology
• 10 hours of General Education

Requirements (29 Credit Hours)

FALL SEMESTER

• BI 101 Bible Doctrine Overview - 3
• LA 101 English Grammar - 3
• BI 104 Biblical Hermeneutics - 3
  or
  LA 103 Fundamentals of Speech - (3)
• SO 101 Foundations of Marriage & The Family - 2
• PS 103 Freshman Success Seminar - 2

TOTALS - 13

SPRING SEMESTER

• BI 102 Gospels and Acts - 3
• BI 104 Biblical Hermeneutics - (3)
  or
  LA 103 Fundamentals of Speech - 3
• TH 104 Ecclesiology - 2
• PT 104 Personal Evangelism & Discipleship - 3
• Bible or Theology electives - 5

TOTALS - 16

Associate of Arts Degree

Upon completion of the Associate of Arts degree in Biblical Studies students should possess a basic knowledge of New Testament books and major theological issues, have been introduced to some of the tools of research in the study of the Bible, be capable of making practical application of biblical truth to their personal lives and be able to serve more effectively as a lay person in a variety of church-related ministries;

The Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies is specifically designed for students with vocational goals outside the realm of Bible College training who want a solid Bible foundation and a Christian orientation to life, students who are unsure about their direction and who want the assistance of a Christian institution of higher learning as they seek to discern the Lord's will in their lives, or students who want to be involved as laymen in their churches or in Christian ministry that does not require a full bachelor's degree. It is especially helpful for the following individuals:

• Those who have a broad foundation that enhances understanding of people and the world/culture in which they live
• Wives of full-time students enrolled for a degree
• Individuals who want to be better prepared to serve alongside their spouse in ministry
• Local community individuals who simply want to enhance their knowledge of spiritual truth in order to grow personally and to be more effective in lay ministry

Curriculum

The Associate of Arts curriculum involves four semesters of study at ABC. The Curriculum has:

• 34 hours of Bible/Theology/Practical Theology
• 26 hours of General Education
• 2 hours of Electives

Requirements (62 Credit Hours)

First Year

FALL SEMESTER

• BI 101 Bible Doctrine Overview - 3
• LA 101 English Grammar - 3
• BI 104 Biblical Hermeneutics - 3
  or
  LA 103 Fundamentals of Speech - (3)
• SO 101 Foundations of Marriage & The Family - 2
• PE 101 Physical Education - 1
• PS 103 Freshman Success Seminar - 2

TOTALS - 14

SPRING SEMESTER

• BI 102 Gospels and Acts - 3
• BI 104 Biblical Hermeneutics - (3)
  or
  LA 103 Fundamentals of Speech - 3
• TH 104 Ecclesiology - 2
• LA 102 English Composition - 3
• PT 104 Personal Evangelism & Discipleship - 3
• PE 102 Health - 1

TOTALS - 15

Second Year

FALL SEMESTER

• BI 201 Pauline Epistles I - 2
• TH 203 Theology Proper, Christology, Pneumatology, Angelology - 4
• MU 203 Foundations of Church Music - 2
• PS 201 General Psychology - 3
• MI 201 Bible Basis of Missions - 2
• CE 201 Principles of Bible Teaching - 3

TOTALS - 16

SPRING SEMESTER

• BI 202 Pauline Epistles II - 3
• BI 204 Hebrews - Revelation - 3
• TH 204 Anthropology, Hamartiology, Soteriology - 3
• SO 202 Introduction to Sociology - 3
• SC 202 Earth Science - 3
• Elective - 2

TOTALS - 17

Bachelor of Arts Degree

The Bachelor of Arts program is especially designed for individuals who sense that the Lord is calling them into full-time vocational ministry, or for those who want a solid biblical foundation in preparation for a non-vocational ministry career.

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts degree, students should achieve the following educational objectives.

• They will express without reservation that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant and authoritative Word of God, and is the standard for faith and conduct
• They will demonstrate intellectual competence in general education, mastery of essential Bible content and competence in Bible study skills
• Graduates will demonstrate competence in the expositional method of preaching, teaching and writing about biblical truth
• They will evidence a close relationship with Christ by consistent devotional practices, good works, irreproachable speech and healthy interpersonal relationships
• ABC graduates will also utilize the results of formal studies in church-related Christian service, give evidence of appreciation and concern for world-wide missions, and demonstrate development as a whole person: spiritually, culturally, socially, intellectually, emotionally and physically

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Arts curriculum requires students to choose at least on Minor Program, and has approximately the following number of credit hour requirements:

• 60-64 hours of Bible/Theology & Practical Theology
• 48-54 hours of General Education
• 12-64 hours of a Minor Program

Note: The numbers in each of these categories will vary depending on the Minor Program and the number of elective credits.

Requirements (126 – 154 credit hours, depending on Minor Program)

View Minor Program details

• Bible/Camping
• Bible/Elementary Education
• Bible/Family Counseling
• Bible General Ministries
• Bible Missions
• Bible Music
• Bible/Pastoral
• Bible/Youth

Bachelor of Theology Degree

The Th.B. degree provides an opportunity to double professional training while at Appalachian Bible College. The B.A. in Bible and Theology is the foundation for this degree.

To qualify for the Th.B. degree students must fulfill all program requirements for two Minor programs, instead of one. Combinations such as Pastoral and Missions, Missions and Music, Elementary Education and Music, or Pastoral and Youth Ministries have been completed. The enriched preparation requires careful planning in order to synchronize the courses involved. A minimum of 158 semester hours of course work is required. This normally takes at least five years.

Transfer students already possessing a bachelor's degree can earn the Th.B. degree at Appalachian Bible College by fulfilling the requirements of the Bible/Theology major, Professional Core, the courses in one professional concentration, and the appropriate General Studies courses, totaling a minimum of 158 semester hours.

The Bachelor of Theology program is especially designed for students who sense that the Lord is calling them into full-time vocational ministry, or for those who want a solid biblical foundation in preparation for a non-vocational ministry career.

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Theology degree, students should achieve the following educational objectives.

• They will express without reservation that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant and authoritative Word of God, and is the standard for faith and conduct.
• They will demonstrate intellectual competence in general education, mastery of essential Bible content and competence in Bible study skills.
• Graduates will demonstrate competence in the expositional method of preaching, teaching and writing about biblical truth.
• They will evidence a close relationship with Christ by consistent devotional practices, good works, irreproachable speech and healthy interpersonal relationships.
• ABC graduates will also utilize the results of formal studies in church-related Christian service, give evidence of appreciation and concern for world-wide missions, and demonstrate development as a whole person: spiritually, culturally, socially, intellectually, emotionally and physically.

Curriculum

It will depend on which two Minor Programs are selected.

Requirements (Two Minor Programs equaling a total of 158 Credit Hours)

See each Minor Program for details

Master of Arts in Ministry

The Master of Arts in Ministry program is a 36-hour professional curriculum program developed for individuals actively involved in ministry, such as pastors, missionaries, Christian leaders and evangelists. This program provides graduate-level training for students whose undergraduate work has a minimum of 30 hours of Bible and theology.

This program is designed to prepare graduates to accomplish practical areas of ministry, such as local church ministry, evangelism, church planting, Christian Education, and Christian Leadership. It seeks to prepare graduates with skills in leadership, communication and counseling. The program equips the graduate with assessment tools to relate to their particular ministry context.

The MA in Ministry is designed to be professional, economical, flexible and convenient. The content of the courses emphasize the practical skills of communication, counseling, and leadership necessary for effective ministry.

ABC's M.A. in Ministry engages you in a program that...

• Can be tailored to fit your personal ministry goals and interest,
• Is based on a flexible schedule of modular classes,
• Involves both on-campus and internet-based instruction,
• Is taught by professors who specialize in their field and bring years of practical ministry experience, and
• Encourages interaction with other students who offer ministry experiences to learn from.

Curriculum Format: (Courses are designed in two ways)

1. Modular Format: There are three parts to this format:
1. Pre-Module Assignments: Reading, on-line discussions, etc., which begin approximately one month before the on-campus module.
2. On-Campus Module: Classroom teaching and interaction from Monday at 11:00 to Friday at noon.
3. Post-Module Project: A project applying the course content to your life and ministry, which is due approximately one month after the on-campus module.
2. On-Line Format: There are three on-line courses available with no on-campus meeting required. There are plans to develop other on-line courses in the future.

Requirements (36 hours)

See the MA in Ministry approach for more details