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Courses | M.A. in Christian Apologetics

Below are the course requirements for this academic program. For more program details, including graduation requirements and learning outcomes, visit Biola's academic catalog.

Admission Requirements

  • Applicants must have completed all bachelor’s degree requirements with a grade point average (GPA) equivalent to a “B” or higher in all undergraduate study prior to the start of the program and must have a bachelor’s degree conferred from a regionally accredited institution prior to the start of the second term.
  • One pastoral and at least one character reference.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Transcripts must be official, that is, mailed directly from your previous colleges and/or universities in a sealed envelope, sent electronically, or physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution to the Biola Office of Graduate Admissions.

Note: Official documents for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Satisfactorily complete at least 39 semester credits as outlined in the curriculum below.
  2. Maintain a 2.5 average with no grade below a "C" in all courses to be credited toward graduation. Students are placed on academic probation if their grade point average for any semester falls below 2.5 and will remain on probation as long as the single semester or cumulative grade point average remains below 2.5. Probation students are granted one semester in which to bring their academic work up to the required level (2.5) for continuance in the program. A student cannot graduate while on probation.
  3. Complete a minimum of 24 credits in the degree program at Biola University. Up to 15 credits of graduate work may be transferred into the program for courses determined to be comparable. Advanced standing may also be granted for appropriate undergraduate coursework determined to be comparable to required graduate-level classes. Consult your admissions counselor for more information.
  4.  All degree components, except for CSAP 681, 696, and 699 must be completed as graded courses.
  5. Complete the entire program in no more than seven years.
  6. Meet with department advisor and graduate academic records and degree specialist in the Office of the Registrar one year prior to graduation to declare intent to graduate. (See Graduate Graduation Check description in Admission, Enrollment and Graduation Requirements section.)

Curriculum Requirements

Program Courses
Apologetics Core
CSAP 510Apologetics Research and Writing 11
CSAP 529Scripture: Authority, Canon, and Criticism2
CSAP 625Philosophy of Religion (Capstone Project for program is the term paper for CSAP 625.) 22
CSAP 626Ethics2
CSAP 628Why God Allows Evil2
CSAP 629Scientific Apologetics2
CSAP 651Comparative Religions 32
CSAP 691In Defense of the Resurrection2
CSAP 696Apologetics Practicum1
Biblical and Theology Core
CSAP 521Old Testament Survey3
CSAP 522New Testament Survey3
CSAP 541Essential Christian Doctrine I2
CSAP 542Essential Christian Doctrine II3
CSAP 638Spiritual Formation and the Life of the Mind I2
CSAP 639Spiritual Formation and the Life of the Mind II1
Elective Courses
Apologetics Electives (see Department for advising on elective courses)9
Total Credits39
1

It is highly recommended to take this in the first or second semester of the program.

2

Students normally should take CSAP 625 during their last year in the program.

3

CSAP 653, CSAP 654, CSAP 655, or CSAP 656 will also count for CSAP 651.

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