You will gain the academic skills necessary for advanced study and service in the church and society through formation in three interrelated areas: biblical and theological knowledge; academic skills and critical reflection; and Christian life and service. Our undergraduate and graduate faculty are committed to stimulating learning that bears fruit in lives of faithful thinking and witness for Christ and His kingdom.
Why Pursue Biblical and Theological Studies?
Biblical truth stands at the very center of the Christian tradition. Our mission is to cultivate Christians who are biblically rooted and theologically formed through a focus on interpretation, application, and research tools and resources. In addition, students gain a unique appreciation for the depth and breadth of our shared Christian heritage by studying under faculty who are accomplished scholar-teachers from a broad range of evangelical denominations.
2
undergraduate majors
6
graduate degree programs
26
full-time faculty
Why Pursue Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton?
You will discuss key positions within the evangelical global church in a community that values charitable conversation. Together you and your peers will wrestle through the hard questions of faith with faculty willing to walk alongside you to find answers in evangelical theology and exegesis.
You’ll gain skills and perspectives necessary for integrating biblical and theological learning with the methods, claims, and insights of other academic disciplines. We provide general education courses for all Wheaton undergraduates and a range of theological courses for graduate students that focus on relating biblical faith to their chosen academic fields.
Explore the life and thought of the Christian church in its first seven centuries through the teaching, research, and publications of The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies.
Engage in research alongside scholars through The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies.
Study in the Holy Lands
- Invest six weeks studying in Israel, Turkey, Greece, and Rome with Wheaton in the Holy Lands
- Dig in the ancient soil at Tel Shimron Excavations
Conferences, Lectures and Colloquiums
The School of Biblical and Theological Studies hosts many lectures and several conferences each year featuring speakers from many disciplines of theology including the popular Wheaton Theology Conference.
Archaeology Museum
Wheaton is home to a robust archaeological collection housed on the fifth floor of the Billy Graham Center.
Study in the Black Hills
Bring your summer classroom to the Black Hills to learn about Colonialism and Redemption: Native American Culture
What Will I Learn?
We offer two undergraduate majors:
- The Biblical and Theological Studies major provides training in both biblical and theological studies by taking courses in biblical studies, systematic and historical theology, hermeneutics and ethics, preparing you to interpret the biblical text faithfully and to live faithfully into God's calling.
- Through the Biblical Archaeology major, you’ll be trained to study the Bible within its long-term geographic, historical, cultural and social dynamic.
Select students conduct independent research and 4 additional classroom hours to deliver a written thesis and oral defense of the research.
Students in any major can complete one of the following minors by taking 28 hours of select courses listed 200-level and above:
- Biblical and Theological Studies
- Biblical Archaeology
The Early Christian Studies certificate is an interdisciplinary program designed to help you investigate historical and theological questions through the study of history, theology, literature, and worship.
The Religions of the World certificate is an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to help students investigate the histories, beliefs, practices, and socio-political contexts of the non-Christian religions of the world in global cultures.
Earn master's degrees in as little as one year by taking graduate credit courses during your senior year in Archaeology, Biblical Exegesis, History of Christianity and Theology.
We offer a variety of programs that stress the concepts, principles, history, and methods of the theological disciplines:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical and Theological Studies (Ph.D.)
- Master of Arts in Biblical Exegesis (M.A.)
- Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies (M.A.)
- Master of Arts in the History of Christianity (M.A.)
- Master of Arts in Old Testament Archaeology (M.A.)
- Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.)
Consult the course catalog for full listing of current courses available in this field.
Possible Careers for Biblical and Theological Studies Majors
In partnership with our Center for Vocation and Career, many of our majors find employment in church and parachurch agencies. As an initial degree, Biblical & Theological Studies prepares you for seminary training or for graduate work in theology and related disciplines.
- Christian Counselor
- Editor
- Humanitarian Worker
- Minister
- Missionary
- Pastor
- Teacher
- Writer
- Youth Pastor
The most recent degrees pursued:
- M.A., Ph.D. in Church History, Theology, Biblical Studies
- M.Div.
Our alumni pursue graduate study for careers in ministry, publishing, and academia. The most recent graduate school placements pursued are:
- Denver Seminary
- Duke Divinity School and University
- Fuller Theological Seminary
- Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
- Princeton Theological Seminary and University
- The University of Notre Dame
- University of St. Andrews
- Yale Divinity School and University