Certificate of Theological Studies

The Certificate of Theological Studies (CTS) is a 9-course, 27-hour non-degree credit program that offers vital educational experiences beneficial for anyone serving or who wants to serve in biblically-based, Christ-centered ministry leadership. The curriculum includes 7 CORE graduate courses common among all TBS degree programs, plus 2 ELECTIVE courses selected from any other available options. Fundamental skills and topics studied include hermeneutics, church history and theology, ministry leadership, public speaking/teaching, and spiritual formation, as well as a survey of all 66 books of the Bible and in-depth studies of numerous biblical books.

Non-degree students are billed at the Audit rate per course (equivalent to the tuition cost of 1-credit hour). However, CTS students also have the option to earn 3-hour, graded credit by paying full course tuition and fees, attending and participating in course sessions, submitting all assignments, exams, and projects. Earned credit hours can be applied toward a graduate degree program should they desire to do so.

Program Objectives

1. The student will understand all 66 Bible books and major movements and personalities in church history.

2. The student will gain confidence in his or her teaching and/or preaching skills.

3. The student will develop ministry skills in counseling and leadership.

Learning Outcomes

1. The student will demonstrate a knowledge of the thematic, chronological, and geographical flow of the entire Bible through the SFM 500 final exam.

2. The student will demonstrate the ability to teach/preach expository and thematic messages as evidenced by assessed classroom speaking assignments.

3. The student will demonstrate a knowledge of counseling and leadership skills through final exams/projects in PAS 501 and PAS 511.

Frequency of Offering

CTS students are eligible to take any TBS graduate course. TBS generally offers at least one CORE course every semester at each location where graduate courses are offered. Students can take more than one course per semester, without needing to follow the sequence. Students may take their two elective courses at any point. There are no prerequisites for this program.

 CORE Courses (all 7 required, 3-hour credit per class) 

⚫ BSM 501: Bible Study Methods - Esther, Obadiah, Mark

⚫ THE 501: Theology I - Genesis (or THE 502, THE 503, or THE 504)

⚫ THE 510: Church History I - Luke, Acts

⚫ PAS 501: Pastor-Shepherd I - Job, Jeremiah, Lamentations

⚫ PAS 511: Pastor-Leader I - Ruth, Samuel, Kings

⚫ PRE 501: Expository Preaching/Teaching I - Isaiah

⚫ SFM 500: Spiritual Formation & Ministry - Bible Panorama

CORE hours = 21

ELECTIVE Courses (two required, 3-hour credit per class)

⚫ (Any other TBS graduate course)

⚫ (Any other TBS graduate course)

ELECTIVE hours = 6

CTS Total = 9 courses, 27-credit hours