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Undergraduate Bible: Degrees

This page outlines the degree requirements for the B.A. in Bible, Bible and Ministry, Missions, Religious Education, and Youth Ministry requirements change periodically so please check the appropriate academic catalog for any revisions.

B.A. Degree in Bible

47 hours, plus 6 additional hours in biblical languages required, minor required
This is a basic program for those preparing for religious service.

An OC Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible will:

  1. Demonstrate above average knowledge of the Bible, its chronology and themes.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to exegete, organize and present biblical subjects in a contemporary relevant manner.
  3. Demonstrate an above average knowledge of and ability in essential ministry skills such as teaching, counseling, evangelizing and relating to people.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the world beyond the church and an ability to relate to it in a meaningful manner.

Degree requirements:
20 hours core courses

9 hours minimum Old Testament textual courses
12 hours minimum New Testament textual courses
6 hours non-textual Bible Courses A student must take 6 hours of Greek or 6 hours of Hebrew in addition to the above requirements for the B.A. in Religious Education.

B.A. Degree in Bible and Ministry

67 hours, plus 12 additional hours in biblical languages required, no minor required
This program is designed especially for students wishing to be pulpit ministers. The degree prepares students for the work of a local minister and lays a foundation for graduate studies. It is also the recommended degree for those who have not yet defined a specific area of ministry.

An OC Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Ministry will:

  1. Demonstrate above average knowledge of the Bible, its chronology and themes.
  2. Be able to demonstrate the ability to exegete, organize and present biblical subjects in a contemporary relevant manner.
  3. Demonstrate an above average knowledge of and ability in essential ministry skills such as teaching, counseling, evangelizing and relating to people.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the world beyond the church and an ability to relate to it in a meaningful manner

Degree requirements:
25 hours foundation courses

27 hours textual Bible courses
  • 9 hours Old Testament textual courses
  • 12 hours New Testament textual courses
  • 6 hours elective textual courses
12 hours non-textual Bible courses 3 hours practicum course

A student must take 12 hours of Greek or 6 hours of Greek and 6 hours of Hebrew in addition to the above degree requirements for the B.A. in Bible and Ministry.

B.A. Degree in Missions

61 hours, plus 6 additional hours in biblical languages required, no minor required
The B.A. in Missions, like all other Bible-related degree programs at OC, provides an acquaintance with the biblical text and the necessary auxiliary studies to allow special preparation for mission work.

An OC Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Missions will:

  1. Learn how to communicate biblical truths effectively to people from cultural backgrounds different from their own.
  2. Become more aware of and sensitive to cultural differences than they were when they arrived on campus so that they can serve people from different cultural backgrounds effectively with a reduced likelihood of offending those people inadvertently.
  3. Experience how New Testament Christianity functions in different cultural contexts through campaigns, missions internships, and, in some cases, overseas studies opportunities.
  4. Be sufficiently grounded in the Scriptures to be able to teach the word of God competently and faithfully regardless of the cultural context.
  5. Gain sufficient competence in a modern language other than English so as to be able to communicate at least at a basic level with a native speaker of that language.
  6. Learn the importance of the church in God’s plan of salvation for people of every nation, every tongue, and every tribe.
  7. Learn the importance of growing spiritually and receive instruction in how to go about pursing spiritual growth throughout their lives.
Degree requirements:
17 hours core courses 3 hours chosen from
3 hours chosen from
13 hours required missions courses 6 hours elective missions courses
19 hours textual Bible courses
  • 5 hours Old Testament textual courses
  • 5 hours New Testament textual courses
  • 9 additional hours textual Bible courses

A student must take 6 hours of Greek or 6 hours of Hebrew in addition to the above requirements for the B.A. in Religious Education.

B.A. Degree in Religious Education
67-71 hours, plus 6 additional hours in biblical languages required, no minor required
This major is for those wishing to work primarily in the educational program of the church. It combines study of the biblical text with practical application courses. This degree allows a student to select a concentration area from adult education, campus ministry, or children’s ministry.

An OC Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Education:

  1. Be committed to being a servant leader in family, community, and church.
  2. Is devoted to Christ and seeks to emulate Him both in life and as a teacher of the Word.
  3. Be able to teach the great themes of the Bible, effectively utilizing different elements of the Bible which contribute to that story.
  4. Be able to use techniques of exegesis and hermeneutics to discover the meaning of scripture and from that can present practical and effective Bible lessons.
  5. Be proficient in using the teaching techniques of lesson planning, organization, illustration, stories, and multi-media in teaching the Bible.
Degree requirements:
50 hours chosen from
  • 21 hours textual Bible
    • 9 hours Old Testament
    • 12 hours New Testament
Choose one of the following concentration areas
Adult Education 17 hours Campus Ministry 17 hours
  • 3 hours required
    • RLED-3423 Ministry to College and University Students
Children's Ministry 18 hours A student must take 6 hours of Greek or 6 hours of Hebrew in addition to the above requirements for the B.A. in Religious Education.

B.A. Degree in Youth Ministry
71 hours, plus 6 additional hours in biblical languages required, no minor required
The major in youth ministry offers students an opportunity to make special preparation to serve as youth ministers while laying a strong foundation in a study of the Bible and Bible related subjects. The purpose of the youth ministry major at OC is to equip students to minister with adolescents and their families.

An OC Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Youth Ministry will be able to:

  1. “Know thyself.”
  2. Plan and lay out a yearly program of activities that reinforce the core values of the Christian faith, the local church and the youth group.
  3. Involve the parents of adolescents and other volunteers in the youth family program, utilizing their gifts.
  4. Refer to parents, authorities, and/or counselors when adolescents are at risk.
  5. Share the Gospel specifically using methods to reach adolescents.
  6. Disciple and assist adolescents in their spiritual formation.
  7. Use and teach scripture effectively.
Degree requirements:
20 hours required core major courses 30 hours youth ministry and related courses 21 hours textual Bible courses
  • 6 hours Old Testament textual courses
  • 9 hours New Testament textual courses
  • 6 hours elective textual courses

A student must take 6 hours of Greek or 6 hours of Hebrew in addition to the above requirements for the B.A. in Religious Education.

Vocational Ministry
34 hours, taken only as a second major
This major is designed specifically for people planning careers in non-religious fields such as teaching, engineering, medicine, law, business, sciences, communication, or fine arts, but who desire a deeper knowledge of God’s Word and ministry in order to strengthen the cause of Christ wherever they live and work.

An OC Graduate with any degree and second major in vocational ministry will:

  1. Demonstrate a broader understanding of the Scriptures.
  2. Demonstrate methodologies and critical thinking skills designed to improve ministries and solve problems on the field.
  3. Choose, practice, and enhance his or her profession from a Kingdom perspective.
  4. Demonstrate a knowledge of and practice of church leadership skills.
Degree requirements:
34 hours from the College of Biblical Studies
  • Must include 17 hours minimum of textual courses
  • Must include 17 hours minimum of upper division courses
Core curriculum courses in Bible may be counted in these totals.
The following five courses are recommended, but not required:

Faculty Facts

Robert Carpenter "I work at OC", says Dr. Robert Carpenter, Professor of Ministry and Missions, "because I want to help prepare fellow Christians (both students and non-students) to be more effective in reaching non-Christians with the gospel of Christ through a variety of means. I also hope to be a part of the caring outreach to non-Christians here on campus."

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