Theological Studies Degree (BA)
“Go therefore, and teach all nations…” ~ Matthew 28:19
Building on the core elements of biblical and theological knowledge, the Theological Studies degree emphasizes the depth and breadth of Christian theology historically and in the contemporary world. In learning how other Christians have responded to their own cultural issues, those with the degree in theology will be well prepared to continue in that tradition of theologically robust engagement with the world. This bachelor of theology degree is especially appropriate for those who want to serve the body of Christ in a teaching and preaching role as a minister in a church, as a missionary, someone in parachurch ministry, or in whatever setting God calls you.
The Bachelor of Theological Studies degree major is 45 credit hours long, with 18 hours of core classes, 12 hours of electives in Theological Studies, 6 hours of biblical languages, 3 hours of general electives, 4 hours of Spiritual Formation, and 2 hours of Senior Seminar. The core courses for the major are New Testament Theology, Old Testament Theology, History of Christianity, Hermeneutics, Systematic Theology, the Christian Vocation, and the Senior Seminar. We also offer a wide variety of courses which allow you to tailor your studies to your interests, such as Trinitarianism, the Reformation, Baptist History, Christian Ethics, and studies of important Christian theologians.
This program will give you a solid foundation in the theology of the church and prepare you for service in the church or another ministry. It will also prepare you for graduate studies.
Scholarships for the Degree in Theological Studies
HCU offers several types of scholarships to help our incoming students. Our theology degree students will especially want to be aware of these scholarships.
BGCT Scholarships
The Baptist General Convention of Texas funds scholarships for our Southern Baptist students who are pursuing ministry as a vocation. The BGCT scholarship amount is currently $50 per credit hour for freshmen and sophomores and $75 per credit hour for juniors and seniors. In addition to the denominational eligibility requirements, students must take two classes during their time at HCU: the Christian Vocation and Baptist History.
The BGCT also supports students financially with the Mary Hill Davis Ethnic/Minority Scholarship. It currently provides $800/semester (for full-time students) who are from a non-Anglo background and are part of a BGCT church that is representative of their ethnic/minority heritage. Note: the scholarship application should be submitted directly to the Mary Hill Davis Scholarship Office (not to HCU) no later than April 15.
Covenant Fellows
The purpose of the Covenant Fellows Program is to give students called to Christian ministry financial, personal and professional support as they further their undergraduate development into competent and holistically educated ministers/professors/missionaries. HCU covenants with our students and with local churches to provide education and professional experiences that will prove beneficial to both those studying in the program and those churches supporting and employing our ministerial students. One of the benefits of the theology degree program is that participants may receive scholarship money during their junior and senior years, per meeting the requirements of the program. Learn more about Covenant Fellows.
Opportunities after obtaining your Bachelor of Theology Degree
Further Graduate Studies: Seminary and Other Options
Most students preparing for ministry pursue some type of graduate degree to help them further prepare for ministry. Traditionally, the Master of Divinity (MDiv) has been the standard degree, as it provides the most well-rounded and robust training for ministry. Our 75-hour MDiv prepares you, not just for Bible study and academic knowledge, but it focuses on your personal development as a Christian and a minister to the church through practical experience. Similar to the MDiv, we offer a 40-hour Master of Arts in Christian Leadership (MACL) designed to meet the needs of those preparing for vocational or lay ministry, or those who just want to further their own personal development. For students who wish to pursue a more academically focused and shorter degree, we offer a 40-hour Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) that gives the core foundation desired by churches, but provides you more flexibility in course selection.
There are a variety of ways to engage with the Department of Theology: we’re on Facebook, we offer an annual Theology Conference, and we have regular lectures by preeminent scholars as part of the A.O. Collins Lecture Series.
