louisiana baptist theological seminary

Many ministers need to continue to serve God in their current place of ministry. Relocating to complete their theological education is not an option. Louisiana Baptist Theological Seminary is committed to providing excellence in theological education through distance learning to meet their needs. Thousands of people who have answered God’s call to ministry have discovered the advantages of staying where they are to complete their theological training through distance education.


For additional information please call (318) 686-2360 or email dkeeny@lbu.edu.

Mission Statement

 

The Mission of Louisiana Baptist Theological Seminary is to provide biblically conservative, academically challenging, culturally relevant, and financially affordable preparation for a new generation of Christian ministers.

 

 

The Value of Flexible Program Design

 

Each Seminary degree combines requirements that vary from the master level to the doctoral level along with the flexibility to design a broad or narrow concentration based upon available courses and the student’s academic needs and ministry goals. The dean has prescribed a course of studies for each program. Your advisor will work within these parameters to design a curriculum for each student. A valuable tool in the customization of each student’s experience is independent research.

 

 

The Value of Independent Research

 

In both the master and doctoral levels, students are encouraged to consider independent research. Independent research is the process of selecting a topic of interest or a subject in which one’s educational skills are lacking (sometimes a need within the church prompts this realization), and the student contacts the dean for approval and clarification for what must be done to receive course credit before proceeding.

 

The value of independent research is that it allows a student to customize the curriculum to receive maximum benefit from the learning experience. Further, it is similar to real-world applications in which a person coming into a new role must determine for oneself what information and skills must be acquired to perform well.

Masters degrees

Louisiana Baptist Theological Seminary offers four master degrees: the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, the Master of Ministry, the Master of Theological Studies, and the Master of Divinity. All master programs offer flexibility within the program and can be completed from anywhere in the world.

 

Candidates for all master programs must have at least a bachelor degree from an institution recognized by the Seminary. Each student must also meet the individual approval of the Admission Office.

 

Each master degree requires the completion of a thesis or practicum. You and your academic advisor will select courses to meet your concentration goals. Your advisor will also guide your Applied Research and Reading courses to prepare you for the capstone project.

mASTER OF arts in biblical studies

A thirty-six credit hour program with concentrations in Bible, apologetics, and more. The M.A. is ideal for the student who wants to complete a graduate program to better understand Scripture.

 

Core Curriculum ...............................................................................................................  27 Hours

 

         Hermeneutics

         Exposition of Genesis

         Biblical Theology of the New Testament

         Analysis of Revelation

         Christian Worldview and Apologetics

         Systematic Theology I

         Greek or Hebrew

         Greek or Hebrew

         Bible Elective

        

Thesis ..................................................................................................................................  6 Hours

 

Graduation Workshop .........................................................................................................  3 Hours

 

Total Degree Requirements ..............................................................................................  36 Hours

MASTER OF ministry

A thirty-six credit hour program that can be designed around the student’s current ministry goals. The M.Min. is ideal for students already engaged in vocational or bi-vocational ministry who want to enhance their ministry effectiveness.

 

Core Curriculum ...............................................................................................................  27 Hours

 

         Introduction to Pastoral Ministry

         Fundamentals of Expository Preaching

         Marriage and Family Counseling

         Church Program Administration

         Hermeneutics

         Biblical Theology of the New Testament

         Greek or Hebrew

         Greek or Hebrew

         Ministry Elective

        

Practicum ............................................................................................................................  6 Hours

 

Graduation Workshop .........................................................................................................  3 Hours

 

Total Degree Requirements ..............................................................................................  36 Hours

MASTER OF theological studies

A thirty-six credit hour program to focus upon systematic and biblical theology to better understand God’s truth. The M.T.S. is ideal for the student who desires a greater understanding of theology.

 

Core Curriculum ...............................................................................................................  27 Hours

 

         Systematic Theology I

         Systematic Theology II

         Systematic Theology III

         Systematic Theology IV

         Systematic Theology V

         Biblical Theology of the New Testament

         Greek or Hebrew

         Greek or Hebrew

         Theology Elective

        

Thesis ..................................................................................................................................  6 Hours

 

Graduation Workshop .........................................................................................................  3 Hours

 

Total Degree Requirements ..............................................................................................  36 Hours

master of divinity

A ninety credit hour program designed to equip the student with the biblical and ministerial skills needed to serve in any role within a local church or denominational office. Students can concentrate on Old Testament, New Testament, the Bible more broadly, theology, and apologetics. The program also has a Military Chaplaincy concentration. Your advisor will work with you to design a curriculum to meet your goals. The M.Div. is ideal for the student who seeks a more comprehensive graduate program to study Bible, theology, and ministry. It is especially appropriate for those seeking the pastorate or other vocational ministry positions.

 

Core Curriculum ...............................................................................................................  30 Hours

 

         Systematic Theology I

         Systematic Theology II

         Systematic Theology III

         Systematic Theology IV

         Systematic Theology V

         Biblical Theology of the New Testament

         Hebrew I

         Hebrew II

         Greek I

         Greek II

 

Electives ............................................................................................................................  48 Hours

 

Thesis ..................................................................................................................................  9 Hours

 

Graduation Workshop .........................................................................................................  3 Hours

 

Total Degree Requirements ..............................................................................................  90 Hours

 

DOCTORal degrees

Louisiana Baptist Theological Seminary offers two doctoral degrees: the Doctor of Ministry and the Doctor of Philosophy.

 

Both doctoral programs offer flexibility within the program. Each program requires a master degree from an institution recognized by the Seminary, and each program requires a dissertation. Yet, each program has its own admission requirements and its own expectations for the dissertation. You and your academic advisor will select courses to meet your concentration goals. Your advisor will also guide your Applied Research and Reading courses to prepare you for the dissertation project.

DOCTOR OF ministry

The D.Min. is an applied research degree designed for pastors and others serving in vocational ministry. The purpose of the program is to enhance the student’s spiritual and professional skills by conceiving, designing, and carrying out an applied ministry project. Significant ministry experience is required. The student is expected to conduct his or her applied ministry within the framework of the theologically conservative paradigm for which Louisiana Baptist Theological Seminary is known.

 

The D.Min. requires that

 

  •          The applicant be involved in a significant, church-related ministry position for a minimum of three years prior to application.
  •          The applicant possesses a Master of Divinity or equivalent ninety credit hour degree from an institution recognized by the Seminary.
  •          The student remains at his or her church or place of ministry throughout the program or receives special permission from the dean to complete the program at an alternate location.

 

Core Curriculum ...............................................................................................................  18 Hours

 

         Biblical Textual Studies

         Directing Christian Education

         Shepherding the Church

         Advanced Analysis of Acts

         Greek or Hebrew

         Greek or Hebrew

 

Dissertation .........................................................................................................................  9 Hours

 

Graduation Workshop .........................................................................................................  3 Hours

 

Total Degree Requirements ..............................................................................................  30 Hours

doctor of philosophy

Louisiana Baptist Theological Seminary offers four Ph.D. concentrations: Bible, Old Testament, New Testament, and Theology.

 

The Ph.D. is the highest academic degree that can be earned at the Institution. It is a sixty credit hour terminal research degree that is designed for those who want to have the most thorough training possible to fulfill God’s calling. Therefore, the Seminary demands an excellence in scholarship, including the ability to do effective independent research.

 

Because of the nature of the Ph.D. program, it is recommended that no more than half of the required course work be achieved through structured class work. Courses may be selected from the 600 and higher level of Biblical Studies listed in this catalog. Other courses should include research projects that fall within the parameters of the student’s field of study. The program culminates in an original dissertation representing a significant contribution in the student’s field of study.

 

The Ph.D. applicant must have the appropriate academic background as well as the initiative, self-discipline, and research skills necessary to succeed in a doctoral program. Applicants also must have earned at least a master degree from an institution recognized by the Seminary with the appropriate foundation in the discipline the applicant seeks to study.

 

 

Doctor of Philosophy—Bible Concentration

 

Core Curriculum ...............................................................................................................  21 Hours

 

         Old Testament Introduction

         New Testament Introduction

         Biblical Textual Studies

         Biblical Theology of the Old Testament

         Biblical Theology of the New Testament

         Greek or Hebrew

         Greek or Hebrew

 

Electives ............................................................................................................................  21 Hours

 

Dissertation .......................................................................................................................  15 Hours

 

Graduation Workshop .........................................................................................................  3 Hours

 

Total Degree Requirements ..............................................................................................  60 Hours

 

 

Doctor of Philosophy—Old Testament Concentration

 

Core Curriculum ...............................................................................................................  21 Hours

 

         Old Testament Introduction

         Biblical Textual Studies

         Life in Bible Times

         Biblical Theology of the Old Testament

         Christian Worldview and Apologetics

         Hebrew I

         Hebrew II

 

Electives ............................................................................................................................  21 Hours

 

Dissertation .......................................................................................................................  15 Hours

 

Graduation Workshop .........................................................................................................  3 Hours

 

Total Degree Requirements ..............................................................................................  60 Hours


Doctor of Philosophy—New Testament Concentration

 

Core Curriculum ...............................................................................................................  21 Hours

 

         New Testament Introduction

         Biblical Textual Studies

         Life in Bible Times

         Biblical Theology of the New Testament

         Christian Worldview and Apologetics

         Greek I

         Greek II

 

Electives ............................................................................................................................  21 Hours

 

Dissertation .......................................................................................................................  15 Hours

 

Graduation Workshop .........................................................................................................  3 Hours

 

Total Degree Requirements ..............................................................................................  60 Hours

 

 Doctor of Philosophy—Theology Concentration

 

Core Curriculum ...............................................................................................................  21 Hours

 

         Theological Analysis I

         Theological Analysis II

         Theological Analysis III

         Theological Analysis IV

         Christian Worldview and Apologetics

         Greek or Hebrew

         Greek or Hebrew

 

Electives ............................................................................................................................  21 Hours

 

Dissertation .......................................................................................................................  15 Hours

 

Graduation Workshop .........................................................................................................  3 Hours

 

Total Degree Requirements ..............................................................................................  60 Hours