Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology

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Degree Programs at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology

Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology appears in our ranking of the 30 Best Theological Seminaries in the United States.

The Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology offers both graduate and undergraduate degree programs in hybrid, online and traditional formats. Undergrads in a Bachelor of Arts program can choose majors in Biblical and Theological Studies or Christian Ministries. They’ll also need to pick from concentrations such as general theological studies and preaching and pastoral ministry. Also available is an online Bachelor of Science in Biblical Ministries. This program has two start dates each semester and features seven-week classes that help students become better prepared at working with parishioners. Online students can complete the program in three years or less, even if they do not transfer credits to the school.

At the graduate level, the school offers seven degree programs with multiple concentrations. The Master of Arts program offers concentrations in Philosophy, Theology, Old Testament, New Testament, Spiritual Formation and Bible Exposition. In the M.A. in Christian Leadership and Ministry, students can choose concentrations in pastoral care and counseling or preaching and pastoral ministry. One of the top programs at the school is the Master of Divinity track, which includes concentrations in spiritual formation, pastoral and general ministries and missions and intercultural studies.

With three doctoral programs available, Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology can help advanced students study education and religion. It offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and a Doctor of Education in the same subject. The school also has a Doctor of Ministry program. Through a partnership with the Crowell School of Business at Biola University, students can earn a Master of Management with a focus on nonprofit organizations. Students can also earn a Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies on the school’s Kyiv extension campus. Certificate programs are available in spiritual formation and other subjects too.

About Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology

The Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology is a theology school close to Los Angeles, California. Known as the Talbot School of Theology or Talbot, it opened in 1952 as a full theological seminary dedicated to evangelical beliefs. Originally called the Talbot Theological Seminary, it became the Talbot School of Theology after Biola gained university status in 1981. Some know the school for the beliefs that it teaches, which includes the idea that Jesus will one day return and walk on the earth and that the Bible is true and free of errors. Talbot has both a main campus in La Marida and an extension center Ukraine. Students can also study through the Talbot online system, which now offers one bachelor’s program and several master’s degree options. More than 1,300 students at all levels attend the school.

Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology Accreditation Details

The Talbot School of Theology has the same regional accreditation that Biola University has, which comes from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Any student who wants to reduce their costs and get financial aid can use that accreditation to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To show the commitment that the school has to its students, it also became a member of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (CAATS) accredited the school’s graduate and doctoral programs for students in the United States and Canada.

Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology Application Requirements

Both Biola University and the Talbot School of Theology hold admissions events that let students take a campus tour and learn more about programs and degree requirements. Students can also take a virtual campus tour if they cannot schedule a tour in person. New undergrads are responsible for paying a $45 application fee and submitting the online application. They also need to write and submit an essay on why they chose Talbot and how a bachelor’s program will help them. Talbot has early action deadlines of November 15 and January 15 and a final deadline of March first. As the school uses a test-optional policy, students only need to provide an ACT or SAT score if they think it will strengthen their applications. Other requirements for undergrads include:

  • Following the evangelical faith
  • Having a high school grade point average of at least 3.0
  • Scoring a minimum of 1000 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT
  • Taking two years of social science, foreign language and science classes and three to four years of English and math courses in high school

Graduate students have until July first to complete their applications unless they apply to the Master of Divinity program, which has an April first deadline. That program has a GPA requirement of 2.6. All other programs require a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The school asks for official transcripts, two references and two essays. They’ll write one essay on their vocation or calling and another on their Christian and moral character. Talbot requests a pastoral reference and a reference familiar with the student’s overall character.

Tuition and Financial Aid

At Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology, undergrads pay $43,512 every year for full-time enrollment. Part-time students pay $1,813 per credit hour, which is the same amount that students pay when they take more than 19 credit hours. Dorm rooms are available starting at $2,922 per semester. On-campus students must also purchase a meal plan, which starts at $1,941 each semester. Undergrads can also pay $1,060 each year to get health insurance from the school. Online undergrads pay $3,450 each semester for part-time enrollment and $6,900 each semester for full-time enrollment along with up to $400 for their textbooks. This equates to $575 per credit hour.

Graduate students pay the school $654 per credit hour, which increases to $1,208 per credit hour for doctoral students. Some programs charge rates of nearly $800 per credit hour. Scholarships are just one type of financial aid offered by the school for both undergrads and advanced students. Talbot offers small scholarships of $8,000 and larger awards of $20,000 a year. Though graduate students can use direct and private loans, they may qualify for grants and scholarships from the department that oversees their degree programs. Grants and loans are available for undergrads enrolled in the degree programs at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology who submit the FAFSA along with an application.

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