OC Graduate Bible Admissions

Oklahoma Christian University recognizes that students enter graduate studies for a variety of reasons – some to pursue a degree program, others to continue their education, and still others for personal development. These and other needs can be accommodated at Oklahoma Christian for students who are adequately prepared for graduate work.  The admission standards assure that those admitted to graduate studies have adequate preparation, maturity, and ability to succeed in their studies.

Three Types of Admission:

(1)	"Degree-seeking": Refers to students admitted to pursue a degree program.
(2)	"Non-degree-seeking": Describes students who are admitted with the intention of taking limited coursework (e.g. transient students and certificate students).
(3)	Admission to audit courses.

 

International Students:

***	International students must meet additional admissions requirements set forth by the Office of International Programs at Oklahoma Christian University - Click HERE to see the admission requirements for International Students..

 

Admission Requirements for Degree-Seeking Students

How to Apply--General Admission Requirements

• Completed Application for Admission with a $25 non-refundable application fee.
• Three Letters of Recommendation from:
• A college or university teacher or professor who can address your preparation and ability to succeed in graduate school
• A spiritual leader who can address your spiritual preparation and maturity
• A letter from someone who knows you well but is not a relative
• Bachelors or master’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
• Official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
• An essay describing the applicant’s ministry goals and reasons for wanting to pursue Graduate Bible study at Oklahoma Christian University.  (The 3-5 page essay should be typewritten double-spaced.)
• Cumulative undergraduate or graduate (12 hours or more) grade point average of 3.0 or higher.  Applicants with a graduate degree must have a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.  Applicants with an undergraduate or graduate GPA of less than 3.0 may be admitted on probation under the following provisions:
• The applicant must consult with the Graduate Bible chair to evaluate need.
• The applicant may be required to complete a writing assessment through the Oklahoma Christian University Writing Center or by taking the GRE writing portion.
• The applicant must consult with the chair of Graduate Bible to discuss the results of the writing assessment and make arrangements to complete any remedial work needed as assigned by the chair.  Note:  the writing assessment and remedial work (if assigned) may be required before the student enrolls in any graduate course work.
• The applicant must complete one semester at OC Graduate Bible with a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.  Successful completion of these requirements lifts the student’s probationary status.
• Completed Graduate Bible Application for Financial Assistance (required only if student is seeking financial aid through scholarships).
• Completed Student Data Form.
• Completed Immunization Waiver Form

You may either mail in your application material to the address provided on the forms or you may fax them directly to Debbie Newberry at (405) 425-5208.

The Application and Admission Process

A student’s admission application will be reviewed upon receipt of all application materials.  An official acceptance letter will confirm admission and identify those requirements which are lacking for the degree program declared by the student.  (See general requirements and specific program requirements below.)  A list of the requirements to be completed will be placed in the student’s file.  All program requirements must be completed within the first twelve hours in the program.  Students who do not complete general and program requirements timely are not eligible for tuition discounts or scholarships.  Failure to complete requirements may result in suspension from the program.  Continued failure to meet program requirements may result in the student being dropped from Graduate Bible study.

Delayed Entry

Students accepted for graduate Bible studies are admitted for the term specified on the application.  Students who cannot begin study and wish to delay their entry date must petition the Graduate Bible chair in writing within 15 days after the first day of the term for which a student is accepted.  Students taking undergraduate or graduate coursework for credit between their acceptance and their first Graduate Bible enrollment at OC must submit official transcripts of that work prior to beginning coursework.  Students must also verify personal information.

General Requirements

• Degree-seeking students are required to declare a degree program upon admission so appropriate program requirements can be applied.
• Completion of Introduction to Graduate Studies in the first 12 hours.
• Ministry Psychological and Wellness Assessment.  This psychological testing and post-test conference is for advisory purposes only.  Students must complete the assessment by the end of the semester in which the first 12 hours are completed - ideally, this is scheduled during the Introduction to Graduate Studies course.
• The M.A. program presumes previous language and biblical study.  Applicants who demonstrate competency by examination may be granted up to 9 hours of advanced standing for Introduction to the Bible and the language requirement.  In the M.Div. program, students who can demonstrate competency by examination may be granted up to 15 hours of advanced standing for Introduction to the Bible and the language requirements.  Application for and granting of all advanced standing must be completed within the first 12 hours but not later than the end of the second semester of graduate Bible study at Oklahoma Christian.

 

Program Specific Requirements—M.A.

• The M.A. program presumes a basic foundation of biblical knowledge and previous biblical study.  Applicants may demonstrate sufficient knowledge through previous coursework (a minimum of 10 hours of undergraduate biblical text courses) or by enrolling in Graduate Survey of the Bible.

• The M.A. program presumes prior full-time ministry experience.  Field education requirements are based on the ministry experience the student brings to the program.

Specific Program Requirements—M.Div.

• An undergraduate degree in Bible is not required for the M.Div. program, but a basic foundation of biblical knowledge is essential to success in the program.  Applicants with less than 10 hours of undergraduate bible study will need to take Graduate Survey of the Bible. 

Changing Degree Programs or Tracks

Degree-seeking students may change their degree program or track by completing the Application to Declare or Change Degree Program or Track form.  Students changing programs must fulfill the program requirements of the new program.  A student is not considered admitted to the new program until all program requirements have been met.  A list of the new requirements to be completed will be placed in the student’s file.  Listed program requirements should be completed within 90 days of the request to change programs.

Admission Requirements for Conditionally Admitted Students

Applicants who wish to take courses or enter a degree program, but are not eligible for regular admission because of lack of a regionally accredited baccalaureate or master’s degree, may request to be admitted conditionally on probation.  Such requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.  The general admission requirements for conditionally admitted students are the same as for degree-seeking students (see above) except that the Graduate Bible Scholarship application is not required since conditionally admitted students with probationary status are not ordinarily eligible for tuition discounts or scholarships.  Students who intend to enter a degree program should declare their degree upon admission just as a degree-seeking student.  They should fulfill the specific program requirements of the degree during their probationary period.

If admitted, the student with a degree from an institution without regional accreditation will be conditionally admitted as a probationary student.  The student must complete one semester at OC Graduate Bible with at least a 3.0 grade point average. Before the student is allowed to continue as a degree-seeking student, the chair of Graduate Bible must solicit recommendations from each professor under whom the student has done graduate study at OC.  Each of these recommendations must be positive in order for the student to continue as a degree-seeking student.  As for all degree-seeking students, the student admitted conditionally must also complete the Ministry Psychological and Wellness Assessment in the first 12 hours.

Admission Requirements for Transfer Students

Applicants who wish to transfer to Oklahoma Christian from another graduate program must complete the application and admission process outlined above.  Previous graduate work will be evaluated and a decision made concerning any work which will transfer to meet degree requirements.  A record of the transfer hours granted will be placed in the student’s file.  There is no automatic transfer of credit toward meeting degree requirements.  Work accepted for credit must be approved by the chair of Graduate Bible.  No work with a grade of less than B will be considered to meet program requirements.  No more than half of the hours applied toward a previous degree may be applied to a subsequent degree earned at OC.  Normally, no more than nine (9) transfer hours may be used to fulfill degree requirements for the M.A., no more than eighteen (18) transfer hours may be applied toward the M.Div.  Transfer students who transfer in 12 hours or more must complete the Ministry Psychological and Wellness Assessment in the first semester of studies at OC.

Admission Requirements for Non-Degree-Seeking and Transient Students

Applicants who do not desire to enter a degree program may be admitted as non-degree-seeking students.  Such students may study for personal enrichment, to earn hours to be transferred to other institutions, or for other reasons.  When prior educational attainments or experience qualify such students to pursue certain courses, they may be admitted for up to fifteen (15) credit hours. Permission from the chair of Graduate Bible must be obtained for course work beyond this limit.

The admission requirements for non-degree-seeking students are the same as for degree seeking students except that the Graduate Bible Scholarship application is not required since non-degree-seeking students are not ordinarily eligible for tuition discounts or scholarships. 

Transient students (non-degree seeking students who are enrolled in a degree program at another institution and desire to take coursework at OC for transfer) need only to submit an application for admission and a letter of good standing from their current institution.  The letter of good standing should reflect academic and financial standing, that the student has requested the letter in order to enroll in coursework at Oklahoma Christian, and that the proposed course will be accepted for transfer.

 

Non-degree-seeking students must meet all prerequisites for the courses in which they enroll. Work completed in non-degree status may, but does not automatically, apply toward degree requirements in the event that the non-degree-seeking student subsequently seeks to be recognized as a degree-seeking student and to be admitted to a degree program.   Non-degree seeking students who seek to become degree-seeking students should complete an “Application to Declare or Change Degree Program” form.  Non-degree-seeking students will be evaluated each semester before being allowed to audit or enroll in additional courses.

Admission Requirements for Certificate Students

Applicants who do not desire to enter a degree program immediately, or who wish to demonstrate their ability to succeed in graduate study before declaring a degree program, are encouraged to consider the Certificate in Christian Ministry program.  Such students are admitted as non-degree-seeking students.  Hours earned in the certificate program may be applied to a degree should the student decide to become “degree-seeking.”  Students may apply up to 15 certificate hours toward a degree.

The admission requirements for non-degree-seeking students in the certificate program are the same as for degree seeking students except that the Graduate Bible Scholarship application is not required since non-degree-seeking students are not ordinarily eligible for tuition discounts or scholarships.   While the Ministry Psychological and Wellness Assessment is not required for the Certificate in Christian Ministry, certificate students who plan to apply hours earned to a degree program should take the assessment during their certificate studies. 

Admission Requirements for Audit Students

An audit student is allowed to attend classes but should not expect to participate in discussions or to have work or assignments graded.  Audit students must complete an admission application or be a qualified student at the university.  Audit students must seek permission from the chair of Graduate Bible and the course instructor before enrolling as an auditor. No other admission requirements apply to audit students.  Generally, distance courses are not available for audit.  Audit students will be evaluated each semester before being allowed to audit or enroll in additional courses.

 

Faculty Facts

"I believe that the liberal arts should free the mind, the body, and most importantly, the human soul. Oklahoma Christian's mission is to incorporate all three of these pursuits in a safe, high-quality learning environment." Dr. Huddleston received the Graduate Research Excellence Award from Oklahoma State University. He is also the Performance and Book Review Editor for Ecumenica Journal Theatre Performance.

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