Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

MA / OT

Master of Arts / Old Testament & Semitic Languages

Rigorous literary, textual, and theological study of the Old Testament in its original languages.

Students in the MA / OT program can expect to study various literary and theological aspects of the Old Testament, including texts & translations, theology, ancient Near Eastern languages (Hebrew and some cognate languages), and the cultural background of the Old Testament. You’ll also have the opportunity to work closely with a faculty advisor and write a Master’s thesis.

Master of Arts / Old Testament & Semitic Languages

Where can this degree take me?

This program is excellent preparation for further academic work at the graduate or doctoral level. Typically, MA / OT students desire to pursue careers in teaching and writing. Other students whose vocations are ministry-related have found that the MA / OT provides the grounding in Scripture they need for effective teaching and wise living. Finally, this program also prepares students to teach at some Christian secondary schools or Christian colleges.

What will I study?

The courses you’ll take include the following:

  • Theology Core - 6 hours

    ST 5101 and ST 5102 or ST 5103 reccommended

  • Old Testament & Semitic Languages Core - 26 hours

    Required:

    OT 5242 Hebrew Exegesis 4 hours
    OT 8911 OT Studies I: Pentateuch and Historical Books 2 hours
    OT 8912 OT Studies II: Poetry and Prophets 2 hours

    Select 8 hours of Hebrew Language from:

    OT 5250 Hebrew Reading Skills 2 hours
    OT 7210 Exegesis of Genesis 3 hours
    OT 7230 Exegesis of Psalms 3 hours
    OT 7250 Exegesis of Isaiah 3 hours
    OT 8000 Seminar (when topic is Hebrew Studies; approval by dept chair) 3 hours
    OT 8720 Advanced Hebrew Exegesis: (Book) 3 hours
    OT 8729 Advanced Hebrew Studies: (Topic) 3 hours

    Select 3 hours of Cognate Languages from:

    OT 7010 Biblical Aramaic 3 hours
    OT 7014 Extrabiblical Aramaic 3 hours
    OT 7020 or 7021 Akkadian I or II 3 hours
    OT 7030 Ugaritic 3 hours
    OT 7040 Syriac 3 hours
    OT 7410 West Semitic Inscriptions 3 hours
    OT 7415 Middle Egyptian 3 hours
    OT 8000 Seminar (when topic is Cognate Lang; approval by dept chair) 3 hours

    Select 7 hours of Old Testament Elective Studies from

    OT 5050 Geography of Bible Lands 3 hours
    OT 5060 Old Testament Introduction 2 hours
    OT 5090 Old Testament Theology 3 hours
    OT 6216 Pentateuch and Historical Books 4 hours
    OT 6217 Poetic and Prophetic Books 4 hours
    OT 7410-7440 The Old Testament and Ancient Near East courses 3 hours
    OT 7460 Qumran Scrolls 3 hours
    OT 7710 Intertestamental Period 3 hours
    OT 8722 The Septuagint and the New Testament 3 hours
    OT 8000 Seminar (approval by dept chair) 3 hours
    OT 8723 Old Testament Textual Criticism 3 hours
    ST 7395 Hermeneutics 3 hours
    Note: Up to 3 hours of the Capstone may be applied in the Concentration Core
    Note: OT 5000, NT 5000, and English Bible courses (OT 5100, NT 5100, NT 5175) are not applicable to the MA program.

  • Field Education & Capstone - 0-3 hours

    Field Education

    PT 5090 Field Ed (two semesters) –or–
    PT 5090 Field Ed (one semester) and ID 5080 Formation Group (two semesters) 0 hours

    MA/OT Capstone (0-3 hours)

    MA/OT Major Comprehensive Exam 0 hours
    OT 7485 MA Thesis 0-3 hours

Field Education

All MA / OT students must complete a field education requirement. Learn more about field ed here.

What are the prerequisites for admission to this program?

In addition to the requirements for general admission, you’ll need the following:

  • An undergraduate major or its equivalent which includes 6 hours of undergrad Hebrew (with an acceptable score on Trinity’s Hebrew proficiency exam), 6 hours of theology, and 12 hours of Bible (not including beginning languages).
  • An undergrad GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is preferred; scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) are required if your GPA is less than 3.0.