Biblical & Religious Studies

Faculty

Roy E. Ciampa, Chair, Professor; S. Louis and Ann W. Armstrong Chair of Religion
David R. Bains, Professor
Jeffery M. Leonard, Professor
T. Scott McGinnis, Professor
James R. Strange, Professor; Charles Jackson Granade and Elizabeth Donald Granade Chair of New Testament
Lisa J. Battaglia, Associate Professor
Anthony Tyshawn Gardner, Associate Professor; Director, Preministerial Scholars Programs
Jennifer M. Haraway, Associate Professor
Rony Kozman, Assistant Professor
Josh A. Reeves, Assistant Professor; Director, Center for Science and Religion
Johnathan Harris, Visiting Assistant Professor

Undergraduate Programs and Requirements

Majors
Biblical Studies Major (B.A.)
Christian and Religious Studies Major (B.A.)
Christian and Religious Studies Major w/a Conc in Ministry Leadership (B.A.)

Minors
Biblical Studies Minor
Ministry and Missions Minor
Religion Minor
Theology and Ethics Minor

Interdisciplinary Minor
Science and Religion Interdisciplinary Minor

Accelerated Bachelor-to-Graduate Pathway Programs
Fast-Track Master of Divinity (M.Div.) with a B.A. in Biblical Studies
Fast-Track Master of Divinity (M.Div.) with a B.A. in Christian and Religious Studies
Fast-Track Master of Divinity (M.Div.) with a B.A. in Christian and Religious studies
with a Ministry Leadership concentration
Fast-Track Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) with a B.A. in Biblical Studies
Fast-Track Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) with a B.A. in Christian and Religious Studies
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The Department of Biblical and Religious Studies offers majors in biblical studies, Christian and religious studies, plus, for students preparing for a career in church leadership or other faith-based organizations, Christian and religious studies with a concentration in ministry leadership. All programs earn the bachelor of arts degree. The department also offers five minors: biblical studies, ministry and missions, religion, theology and ethics, plus an interdisciplinary minor in science and religion.

In cooperation with the Beeson School of Divinity, the department offers an accelerated bachelor-to-graduate pathway program-a fast-track master of divinity (M.Div.)-that allows qualified students majoring in biblical studies, Christian and religious studies, or Christian and religious studies with a concentration in ministry leadership the opportunity to complete requirements for both the B.A. and M.Div. in approximately six years of study. See below for more information.

In cooperation with the School of Public Health’s Department of Social Work, the department offers an accelerated bachelor-to-graduate pathway program-a fast-track master of social work (M.S.W.)-that allows qualified students majoring in biblical studies or Christian and religious studies the opportunity to complete requirements for both the B.A. and M.S.W. in approximately five to six years of study.

General Education: University Core Curriculum and Distribution Requirements

See General Education Overview in the Howard College of Arts and Sciences introductory pages for a list of required and applicable courses.

Students cannot use BREL 200 (Christian Ethics) , BREL 201 (Introduction to World Religions) , or BREL 221 (Christian Theology) to count towards both the general education humanities requirement and the Christian and religious studies major.

Accelerated Bachelor-to-Graduate Pathway Programs

Fast-Track Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Fast-Track B.A./M.Div. Admission Requirements

The accelerated bachelor of arts (B.A.) to master of divinity (M.Div.) program of study allows select students to complete requirements for both degrees in a minimum of six years of study rather than the typical minimum of seven years of study.* This program of study is available to qualified students majoring in biblical studies, Christian and religious studies, and Christian and religious studies w/a concentration in ministry leadership. Acceptance to the program is limited to students who demonstrate the maturity and discipline to advance their course of study and their preparation for vocational ministry leadership.

Students interested in the accelerated B.A. to M.Div. program should seek guidance from their advisor as early as possible in their undergraduate studies. The undergraduate program of study must include specific courses. Students may apply for admission upon completion of 48 credit hours of undergraduate studies. Applicants are evaluated on their academic performance, spiritual maturity, and vocational clarity. Admission to the accelerated program is limited.

Students must complete 96 credit hours of undergraduate coursework before beginning their graduate theological studies. Upon completion of the initial 32 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, a student is awarded the bachelor of arts degree. The master of divinity degree is awarded upon completion of the 55 credit hours of additional graduate theological courses.

Students admitted to the accelerated B.A. to M.Div. program must participate in a co-curricular program of spiritual and vocational mentoring.

Program details are available from the student’s major advisor.
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*The potential six-year minimum does not account for advanced placement credit or transfer credit which a student may bring to Samford. Any such credit may reduce the total program of study to less than six years.

Fast-Track Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

Fast-Track B.A./M.S.W. Admission Requirements

The accelerated bachelor of arts (B.A.) to master of social work (M.S.W) program of study allows select students to complete requirements for both degrees in a minimum of five years of study rather than the typical minimum of six years of study. This program of study is available to qualified students majoring in biblical studies and Christian and religious studies. For more information visit this link: https://www.samford.edu/publichealth/fast-track-master-of-social-work.

Program details are available from the student’s academic advisor and students interested in the B.A. to M.S.W. fast-track program should seek guidance from their advisor as early as possible in their undergraduate studies.

Programs

Major

Minor

Courses

Biblical & Religious Studies

Of related interest: UCBF 101 - Biblical Foundations (4) .

Biblical Languages