Bible Teaching, MA

Overview

The Master of Arts in Bible Teaching (M.A. in Bible Teaching) program is designed to prepare students to teach the Bible in a school setting. In three semesters of study (fall, spring, and summer), students build a knowledge of the best educational practices on previous Bible background as they explore every aspect of Bible curriculum – from the “big-picture” of K-12th grade curriculum to daily lesson plans. CIU Education Programs are endorsed by the Higher Education Approval Program (HEAP) of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Program graduates who meet specific requirements are eligible to apply for appropriate ACSI teacher or administrator certificates. ACSI waives the certification fee when applying at the time of CIU graduation.

Purpose

The purpose of the Bible Teaching program is to develop the ministry skill of teaching Bible in Christian and public schools in North America, international schools, international government and missionary children’s schools, and other areas of Christian work where a Bible teaching ministry is exercised.

Objectives

The Bible Teaching program strives to help students develop the competencies to become teachers who:

• Understand the purpose of the Bible and how to prepare lessons and curriculum from the Bible that reflect the purpose, using sound principles of biblical interpretation.
• Formulate lesson and curricular objectives in line with the pattern of biblical revelation.
• Design and teach curricula that integrates biblical truth into major disciplines such as philosophy, family life, and church history on a secondary level.
• Relate the principles of the Scripture to the needs of individuals and groups.
• Apply the principles of the teaching-learning process to the teaching of the Bible.
• Establish positive, professional relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and students.

Admission Requirements

In addition to satisfying the general admission requirements of the university, students applying to the M.A. in Bible Teaching program must satisfy the following:

1. Evidence of the ability to successfully pursue an academic program, as demonstrated by one of the following:
   1. A minimum 2.7 GPA for the most recent degree obtained.
   2. Official GRE test scores above the 50th percentile (verbal and quantitative) and a minimum rating of 3.5 on the analytical writing section. (The exam must have been taken within the last five years. Information on test sites and registration is available directly from ETS at www.ets.org. CIU code is 5116.)
2. Disposition, potential competence, and motivation toward Bible teaching, as demonstrated by completing a successful interview with the program director and/or education faculty in person or by phone. (An additional reference may be required from someone who has supervised or observed the candidate’s skills in teaching or work with children.)
3. Appropriate undergraduate background. While expertise in all disciplines is not expected, a student must demonstrate reasonable competency in content areas by completing at least 36 semester hours in undergraduate coursework that included courses from at least four of the following content areas: language arts, social science, natural science, mathematics, technology, and humanities/fine arts.
4. Foundational knowledge in Bible and theology. This requirement is satisfied by one of the following:*
   1. An undergraduate degree of at least 30 hours in Bible and theology (must include a course on hermeneutics) from a Bible college or Christian liberal arts college or university.
   2. A Bible certificate of at least 30 hours in Bible and theology (must include a course in hermeneutics).
   3. Total of 30 hours of coursework in Bible and theology (must include a course in hermeneutics).

*Students not meeting this requirement should apply to the Biblical and Theology Certificate program at Columbia International University’s Seminary & School of Ministry. After completing the Biblical and Theology Certificate, students would qualify to apply to the M.A. in Bible Teaching program.

Residency and Transfer Policies

Policies governing transfer credits are outlined in the Admissions section of this catalog. Transfer credits may be received on a limited basis, but the majority of coursework must be taken at Columbia International University. Candidates who wish to receive transfer credit for the M.A. in Bible Teaching program should consult with the program director and seek approval from their advisor and dean.

Student Teaching

The application for student teaching must be submitted to the director of the Bible Teaching program during the fall semester. Students must maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA during this period. Students must have met all the criteria for participation in the program prior to the student teaching semester, including a Bible teaching assignment in the Field Education course (approved by the director of the Bible Teaching program) during the fall semester.

Time Limitation

The time limit for completion of all requirements is six years, measured from the date a student begins coursework in the M.A. in Bible Teaching program.

Completion Requirements

Although advisors assist students in planning their courses of study, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all requirements for graduation have been met.

• Attain admission to candidacy in the M.A. in Bible Teaching program.
• Demonstrate competency of each of the program’s outcomes through satisfactory completion of all program courses.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7 and no grade lower than a “C.”