The Accelerated Program offers students the opportunity to earn their Master's degree faster, based on their undergraduate studies, while saving money in the process. Qualifying students are those who have completed significant hours in biblical/theological studies from an accredited institution of similar theological background. 

Rationale for the Program

1. The current MDiv in Christian Ministry at NOBTS involves 84 hours of study and most of our other specializations in the MDiv are 87-hour degree programs. The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) allows for a reduction of up to 1/3 of the required degree program hours based on advanced standing and/or advanced placement in biblical languages. This allows us to offer students up to 27 hours (nine 3-hour courses) of credit through the Accelerated Program. 
2. Students who wish to pursue an MA or MTS are also eligible to receive credit through the Accelerated Program. However, because these degrees are already significantly shorter than an MDiv, the number of hours a student can receive through the program toward an MA or MTS is limited to 9 hours.
3. Many students acquire training in their undergraduate program in the areas of biblical studies, theology, history, ethics, pastoral ministry, etc. Some of the introductory courses in those areas at NOBTS cover the same material already encountered in undergraduate courses.

Requirements of the Program

1. The student must have earned at least a "B" in the undergraduate course(s) applied toward the Accelerated Program.
2. The student must be within five years of his/her baccalaureate graduation to be eligible for the Accelerated Program.
3. The undergraduate courses will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis to ensure sufficient equivalency with NOBTS courses in order for the student to receive credit through advanced standing.
4. The student must submit a graded research paper, or write a paper for submission, to the Director of the Accelerated Program, demonstrating the necessary research and writing skills for advanced standing at the graduate level. (See Research Paper Information)
5. The Accelerated Program is available for students taking courses in any delivery system (traditional, hybrid, extension center, online).
6. Credit to the student's graduate transcript will be given in the semester he/she applies for graduation, following approval for graduation by the NOBTS Registrar.

Courses Available for Advanced Standing through the Accelerated MDiv

Qualification for these courses requires at least a three-hour course at the undergraduate level in the specific area. Qualification for Interpreting the OT II, Interpreting the NT II, and Systematic Theology courses require six hours in the field, three of which must come from a survey course (e.g., OT Survey, NT Survey, Christian Doctrine or Systematic Theology). Qualification for Interpreting the OT I and Interpreting the NT I requires a survey course plus a minimum of three hours of biblical interpretation/hermeneutics.

Advanced Placement in Biblical Languages

Students may also be eligible to receive advanced placement in Greek and/or Hebrew based on their undergraduate coursework in these areas. For every 6 undergraduate hours in Greek or Hebrew, students may enroll in the next logical course at NOBTS. Upon successful completion of the Greek or Hebrew course at NOBTS, with a B or better, the student will receive a "pass" (P) and pay 1/3 tuition for the bypassed course(s). The Accelerated Program offers students the opportunity to earn credit for the following Greek and Hebrew courses: