Master of Arts in Biblical Exegesis and Linguistics

Students in the MABEL program will be able to::

• exegete the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible;
• form a basic theological foundation as a grid for Bible translation;
• apply basic principles of hermeneutics in Bible study and Bible translation;
• understand the theory and principles of language translation and contextualization;
• employ computational tools to construct a phonological analysis, descriptive grammar; partial lexicography, and interlinear text of a minority language; and
• design an effective strategy for cross-cultural ministry

The application process for the MABEL is a dual process. Applicants for the program must apply to both Dallas Seminary and Dallas International University (DIU), and the admission requirements of both institutions must be met. In most cases, students admitted to DTS will meet the admission requirements at DIU. However, prospective MABEL students should be aware that the requirements for linguistic courses at DIU vary and will include a minimum of 13 prerequisite credit hours.

Until they apply to DTS for admission to the program, students will not be officially enrolled in the MABEL program. Students are advised to contact both institutions as soon as possible regarding their intentions to enroll in the MABEL program so that adequate advice and direction can be provided. 

Because the majority of students enrolled in the MABEL are either already involved in or anticipate being involved in Bible translation ministries cross-culturally, applicants to the MABEL are required to have a basic understanding of world missions normally attained through the completion of an introductory or foundations course in world missions such as the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course (see www.perspectives.org) or other approved means of meeting this entrance requirement. Students without this prerequisite may be required to take, in addition to their MABEL requirements, MIM5101 Missiological and Intercultural Foundations. Please contact the Admissions office for more information about this requirement.

In addition to the normal transfer-credit policies of the seminary for general master’s degrees (please refer to the Transfer of Credit section in this catalog), no more than 30 hours of coursework from institutions outside of DTS and DIU will be transferred toward the MA in Biblical Exegesis and Linguistics degree. Some provision will be made for students to transfer work from Jerusalem University College to the MABEL program. Entering students with missions experience in Bible translation may be eligible for advanced standing.

In addition to the normal transfer credit policies of the seminary for general master’s degrees (see Transfer of Credit in the General Master’s Degrees section of this catalog), no more than 30 hours of coursework from institutions outside of DTS and the DIU will be transferred toward the MA (Biblical Exegesis and Linguistics) degree. Some provision will be made for students to transfer work from Jerusalem University College to the MABEL program. Entering students with missions experience in Bible translation may be eligible for advanced standing.

A dual registration process is followed for all DIU courses taken for the degree. Students must register through DIU before taking linguistics courses at that campus. DTS is then notified by DIU and enters the courses in the DTS registration system. This allows the tracking of student status for such purposes as loan deferments, international visa requirements, etc. There is no charge for the DTS portion of the registration process for DIU courses.

At the end of each term, DIU sends official grade sheets to the Registrar’s office at Dallas Theological Seminary for transcripting of their courses. Grades earned for DIU courses are factored into the cumulative grade point average at DTS.

Students who complete the 62 hours required for the MABEL degree may complete an additional 4 hours from DIU and take the comprehensive exams to earn DIU’s 37-hour MA in Applied Linguistics. This would require transferring 15 hours from the MABEL program to DIU in addition to the 18 hours taken at DIU as part of the MABEL program. This essentially allows students to earn both degrees for a minimum of 66 hours plus comprehensive exams. Students should consult their DIU advisor for more details about this option.