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B.A. in Biblical & Religious Studies

BA-MA-Theology-Ministry_1

Grow in grace and knowledge, find your calling.

Grove City College offers a biblical studies degree that will prepare you to thrive in various ministry contexts, whether in the U.S. or overseas. As a biblical and religious studies major in our long-established program, you will develop a solid foundation in biblical and theological studies by exploring the Scriptures in depth, as well as issues surrounding the Church throughout the centuries. Under the guidance of renowned faculty who will sharpen you in grace and truth, you will gain the wisdom and skillset to discern your calling and boldly pursue it.

Program Highlights
  • Exceptional pre-seminary preparation.
    • Unique opportunity to study the biblical languages of Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic that will launch you into seminary at an advanced level.
    • Memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with leading seminaries which allow students to earn advanced placement credits and enter seminary ahead by a semester or more.
  • Personal access to faculty mentors—accomplished scholars and experienced pastors, ministry workers, and teachers whose diverse expertise will greatly enrich your education and personal faith.
  • Internship opportunities with local churches, youth and educational ministries, and mission organizations around the globe, as well as research and independent study opportunities alongside faculty in an area such as historical theology, textual criticism, Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic, among other subjects.
    • Recently students have interned with organizations such as Urban Promise, The Philadelphia Project, North Way Christian Community, and Parkside Church.
  • 36 major credit hours of courses that lay a solid foundation in Scripture and give you freedom to tailor your major with various electives. For detailed course descriptions, view the College Catalog.
    • Core requirements include Old Testament and New Testament, Christian doctrine, interpreting the Bible, and senior seminar.
    • Elective categories include practical theology, biblical studies, historical studies, theological studies, and additional major electives, all of which give you several options to choose from—such as Romans, Isaiah, Psalms, the Gospels, theology of worship, Luther and Calvin, C.S. Lewis, world religions, and evangelism and discipleship, to name a few.
    • You may also add a pre-seminary concentration in biblical languages, biblical interpretation, or historical and theological studies. Any one of these concentrations may be easily added to your B&RS major and will place you ahead of your peers in graduate school.
  • Flexibility to double major. We encourage our students to double major or to take courses in the liberal arts and sciences—such as biology, communication studies, history, philosophy, psychology, and sociology.
    • As you map out your four-year plan, faculty advisors and career services office staff will always be available to assist you in selecting courses that align with your long-term goals.
  • Departmental minors available in Christian ministries, youth ministry, classical studies, and classical Christian education, as well as various other minors.
  • 19 student-led campus ministry groups and several mission and service opportunities across the country and around the world, giving you abundant ways to grow in servant leadership and put biblical principles into practice.
  • Potential to be inducted into Grove City College’s chapter of the Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society, through which we recognize scholastic achievement and encourage participation in on-campus and intercollegiate academic writing competitions, seminars, and professional conferences.
  • Chapel program that catalyzes spiritual development on campus, offering regular opportunities to worship corporately and glean wisdom from diverse thought leaders of the Christian tradition who share insightful perspectives on the issues facing your generation.
  • Rathburn Hall campus ministries building that houses our ministry staff and provides ample space for large events, small group meetings, and individual prayer and devotional time.
  • Vocation-enriching humanities core classes woven into your academic schedule that will help you solidify your worldview and cultivate critical thinking skills, empathy, cultural knowledge, and a well-rounded understanding of the world and your place in it.

Career Outcomes
  • If you’re like 96% of Grove City College graduates, your degree and overall experience will prepare you to enter seminary at an advanced level, pursue a master’s or doctorate degree, or land a job in ministry or missions within six months of graduation.
    • Recent graduates have pursued professional ministry degrees at distinguished seminaries including Gordon-Conwell, Covenant, Westminster, and Reformed Theological, as well as Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Others have pursued master’s and doctorate degrees at prestigious universities across the country and abroad including Oxford, Princeton, Yale, Johns Hopkins, Cambridge, Duke, Notre Dame, and Edinburgh.
    • Of those who pursue full-time work directly after graduating, many enter pastoral ministry and church-related professions in youth ministry and missions, while some pursue vocations in other industries—from the marketplace to STEM to education.
  • No matter where God calls you to preach, serve, or teach, you will be well equipped to handle life’s challenges and speak Truth into the lives of others as a thoughtful, compassionate, and dedicated Christ follower.

Student & Alumni Stories

Grace Anne Shaw '24
B.A. in Biblical & Religious Studies