Certificate of Graduate Studies

The Certificate of Graduate Studies in Bible and Theology provides a flexible course of study for:

• Christian laypersons who desire a short program of seminary studies to equip them for effective ministry in the local church or elsewhere;
• those who wish to begin seminary studies on a trial basis to help them determine if they desire to pursue a degree program;
• Christian workers with limited time available for seminary studies (those who intend to enter a professional ministry are encouraged to apply for admission to one of the master’s-level degree programs);
• missionary candidates who anticipate service in nonprofessional ministries whose mission board requires graduate study in Bible and theology;
• college graduates who want a year of seminary studies as a supplement to their undergraduate work; and
• spouses of current DTS students who want to complete a program of graduate seminary studies.

All students in the CGS program will be able to:

• demonstrate a general knowledge of the Bible;
• evidence a general knowledge of premillennial theology and an ability to support their theological views;
• evidence an increasing likeness to Christ as manifested in love for God, love for others, and the fruit of the Spirit; and
• evidence an interest and involvement in the local church or other ministries with which they are associated.

Admission requirements and application procedures for the CGS program are the same as for all programs of study at the seminary.

In a few cases applicants without a bachelor’s degree may be admitted, but such applicants must demonstrate both maturity and adequate educational background. Contact the Admissions office for further details.

Graduates of this certificate program normally are not recommended by the Alumni and Church Relations office for ministry placement. Students in the CGS program are classified as non-degree students.

Transfer of up to 6 credit hours from accredited graduate programs in related fields of study is allowed toward the Certificate of Graduate Studies.

Students must have earned a grade of C or better (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in order to be eligible to transfer a course from another institution to DTS. Transferability of credits earned at this institution and transferred to another is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Consult the Registrar’s office for further information.

While the CGS in Bible and theology can be completed entirely online, CGS courses are also offered as classroom courses on the main Dallas campus and at all of the seminary’s extension campuses. This is to enhance the learning objectives of certain subjects that may be better achieved through a live interactive setting as well as for those who prefer a traditional face-to-face format.

Of the 30 semester hours of coursework required for graduation, a minimum of 24 must be taken through DTS.

Reinstatement to the program after withdrawal requires Admissions Committee action and may subject the student to additional requirements for the certificate.

Students may be admitted to candidacy by action of the faculty for the CGS in the fall or spring semester prior to the semester/term of degree conferral or the semester prior to their participation in the Commencement ceremony after these requirements have been met: (1) grade point average of at least 2.0; (2) evidence, to the satisfaction of the faculty, of proven Christian character; and (3) adherence to the following doctrines: the authority and inerrancy of Scripture, the Trinity, the full deity and humanity of Christ, the spiritual lostness of the human race, the substitutionary atonement and bodily resurrection of Christ, salvation by faith alone in Christ alone, and the physical return of Christ. Students in the CGS program must also provide a written statement of church involvement from the local church regularly attended while in seminary and a reference form completed by a pastor or spiritual overseer.

Admission to candidacy is normally valid for one year. Students who postpone degree conferral beyond one year from original admission to candidacy or who postpone participation in the commencement ceremony until the following spring may be required to reapply for admission to candidacy.

To receive the Certificate of Graduate Studies in Bible and Theology, students must have completed 30 semester hours of coursework with a grade point average of at least 2.0; evidence, to the satisfaction of the faculty, proven Christian character; and adherence to the doctrines stated in the Admission to Candidacy section above.

Certificates will not be released or transcripts issued unless all financial obligations to the seminary and/or the student loan program are current.

Qualified nongraduate alumni may apply to complete the Certificate of Graduate Studies at a reduced tuition rate. The program requires readmission to the seminary and completion of all remaining CGS requirements. Interested alumni will need to complete at least one course the semester before graduation, even if all other requirements have been previously met.

Thirty hours of coursework are required for the CGS. Students will complete 9 hours in Bible Exposition, 9 hours in Systematic Theology, 3 hours in the Christian Life and Witness course, and 9 hours of electives. Students are able to take up to 6 additional hours beyond the designated 30 hours without needing to apply to a degree program.

Flexibility in the Bible and theology courses and in the 9 hours of electives allows students to select courses suited to their particular interests and needs. Many, if not all, of these courses may be completed online. Contact the Admissions office or Advising Center for more information.