The Graduate Certificate in Christian Studies is designed to provide a graduate-level, introductory education for students desiring to explore seminary study and/or ministry training.
Join a community of men and women all over the world, from all walks of life, who desire to deepen their understanding of God, His word, and His people.
The curriculum
The GCCS program allows you to do introductory seminary coursework in Biblical studies, theology, and application. You can complete the certificate or put your coursework toward a master’s program.
Bible Exposition
BE5101 Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics
BE5201 Story of Scripture
Theological Studies
ST5101 Theological Method and Bibliology
HT5200 History of Doctrine or ST5*** Approved ST Elective
Electives
Open Electives – 6 credits
Immersive Learning
See the many ways students are prepared for a lifetime of fruitful ministry.
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Payment Plans
Disburse your educational expenses over 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, 10 months, or 12 months.
Stories from our community
God has given our graduates incredible gifts that they express through music, writing, dance, speaking, app building, and other expressions of God’s love for creativity.
DTS Alumni Blaine Larsen’s Search for Truth
Once a Refugee, Now a Pastor
Adam Derus: A Commuter Student Story
Program Details
Program Goals
Students in the GCCS program will be able to:
- evidence a general knowledge of Christian theology, including an ability to support their theological views;
- demonstrate an introductory understanding of the genres of biblical literature and the principles of biblical hermeneutics;
- articulate the metanarrative of Scripture.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements and application procedures for the GCCS program are the same as for all programs of study at the seminary. Although the GCCS can be completed entirely online, GCCS courses are also offered on the main Dallas campus and at all of the seminary’s extension sites. Of the 18 credit hours of coursework required for graduation, a minimum of 15 must be taken through DTS.
Reinstatement to the program after withdrawal requires action by the Admissions Committee and may subject the student to additional requirements for the certificate.
Graduates of this certificate program normally are not recommended by the Alumni and Career Services office for ministry placement. Students in the GCCS program are classified as nondegree students.
Transfer of Credit
Transfer of up to 3 credit hours from accredited graduate programs in related fields of study is allowed toward the Graduate Certificate of Christian 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. Please refer to the Transfer of Credit section in this catalog for more details.
Residential Requirements
While the GCCS in Bible and theology can be completed entirely online, GCCS 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 18 credit hours of coursework required for graduation, a minimum of 15 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.
Completion Requirements
To receive the Graduate Certificate of Christian Studies, students must have completed 18 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 seminary’s core doctrines.
Certificates will not be released or transcripts issued unless all financial obligations to the seminary and/or the student loan program are current.
Course Requirements
Eighteen credit hours of coursework are required for the GCCS. Students will complete 6 hours in Bible Exposition, 6 hours in Theological Studies, and 6 hours of electives. Students are able to take up to 6 additional hours beyond the designated 18 hours without needing to apply to a degree program.
Elective hours comprise one-third of the program’s requirements, allowing students to select courses suited to their particular interests and needs. Many, if not all, of these courses may be completed online.