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Master of Divinity (Messianic Jewish Studies)

Overview

The Master of Divinity with a concentration in Messianic Jewish Studies is a special program in partnership with Chosen People Ministries at the Charles L. Feinberg Center for Messianic Jewish Studies in New York. This degree is geared toward men and women who have had experience in ministry and desire additional training and a specialized study of the Bible and theology with a focus on Jewish studies and Jewish ministry. Students in this program will be well prepared to serve in a variety of professional ministries that serve the Jewish community, in roles such as Messianic rabbi or congregational leader, pastor, teacher, missionary, outreach worker or educator. This program is designed to be completed in three and a half years with three summers of full-time study.

  • Immerse Yourself in Jewish Culture — in Brooklyn. The concentration in Messianic Jewish Studies is unique as it is taught in the most highly populated Jewish area in the United States: New York City. In a city that is home to an estimated two million Jewish people, you will pursue your studies while living among and ministering to secular Jewish university students, ultra-Orthodox Chasidic communities in Brooklyn, or Israelis living on the Upper West Side. You will have limitless opportunities to experience Jewish life and culture as well as incredible opportunities for hands-on Jewish ministry experience.
  • Dive Deep Into Specialized Courses in Jewish Studies. Biblical and theological training includes courses on Jewish history, rabbinic theology and literature, the Talmud and more — all of which are taught by Messianic Jewish professors with years of experience in Jewish ministry. With a specialized knowledge in Jewish culture and values, you will be well-prepared to minister in diverse communities in Messianic ministry.
  • Master the Hebrew Language and Learn How to Interpret Old Testament Scriptures. The Master of Divinity requires you to know the biblical languages — both Greek and Hebrew — to provide a foundation for exegesis, but unlike any other program, this concentration’s emphasis on the Hebrew language results in a mastery of the language and competency in Hebrew exegesis. As you gain mastery of the language, you will enhance your ability to accurately understand and provide insight from rabbinic texts and interpret Old Testament law for today’s listeners.
  • Get Practical With Rigorous Training in Ministry Skills. The Master of Divinity is a rigorous program because it not only requires knowledge of the biblical languages and theology, but also requires practical ministry skills — such as preaching, evangelism, discipleship, apologetics and leadership development. This program goes far beyond theory to the very heart of what it means to be a full-time worker among the Jewish people — whether your desire is to serve as a Messianic rabbi, pastor, teacher, or missionary to the Jewish people.
  • Partner With Long-standing Ministries Committed to Reaching the Jewish Community. This program at the Feinberg Center is a joint venture between Talbot and Chosen People Ministries, a ministry that has been reaching out to Jewish people for more than a century. This partnership has resulted in a faculty with extensive Jewish ministry experience and a wealth of resources for those who are deeply invested in Jewish studies. Feinberg has a 10,000-volume library with a concentration in Jewish studies. Faculty and other academics have also established The Journal of Messianic Jewish Studies (JMJS).

For more reasons to choose Talbot School of Theology for your education, see the Why Talbot? page.

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Courses

What will I study as a Master of Divinity (Messianic Jewish Studies) student?

Each of Talbot School of Theology’s Master of Divinity programs include a core of biblical and theological foundation courses, a sequence of Hebrew and Greek, training in preaching and counseling, and an area of ministry specialization.

Some of your courses include:

Integration in Jewish Studies (TTPT 723)

Intended as a capstone seminar, this course will summarize and apply the primary lessons learned throughout the program in Jewish Studies. The integration of learning in this course is designed to better equip those entering or continuing in the field of Messianic Jewish ministry. Students will be expected to share the findings of their thesis research and/or field education with a view toward refinement and development of further investigation.

Jewish History (TTHT 604)

History of the Jewish people from the return from the Babylonian Captivity to the Modern State of Israel. Emphasis will be placed on the events and significant personalities in the history of the Chosen People during important periods of development such as the destruction of the Second Temple, the Golden Age of Islam, the Middle Ages, the Haskalah Enlightenment of the 18th Century, the Holocaust, and the Zionist Movement. Attention will be given to the relationship of the Jewish community to Christianity throughout the course. Grade Mode: A.

Rabbinic Theology (TTTH 620)

Students will examine the history and theology of the four major branches of Rabbinic Judaism (Reformed, Conservative, Orthodox, and Hasidism), as well as other forms of Jewish contemporary thought. A systematic treatment of Jewish theology will include discussion of Judaism's understanding of God, Scripture, Man, Salvation, and Eschatology, and evaluation of this understanding from the perspective of OT and NT teaching. Grade Mode: A.

Admissions & Deadlines

As a Christian institution, Biola seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation toward their field of study. Biola does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

Education and GPA Requirements

  • You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by the time you plan to start coursework at Biola, with a minimum grade point average of 2.6 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Note: If you do not meet the degree or GPA requirements above, you may still be considered for admission. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions office at graduate.admissions@biola.edu. If you are an international student, contact grad.international@biola.edu.

English Proficiency Requirements

  • If English is not your first language, you are required to display your English proficiency before admittance into a Biola University graduate program. See “English Proficiency” in the application steps section below.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • General: July 1
    • International Students
      • On Campus: June 1
      • Online/Hybrid: July 1
  • Spring Semester
    • General: November 1
    • International Students: October 1

Visit Biola

Explore our sunny Southern California campus in person or virtually. Learn more about your program of interest and the admissions process by scheduling an appointment with an admissions counselor.

Visit Biola
Virtual Tour

Meet Your Admissions Counselor

If you have more questions about the program, admissions process or Biola in general, schedule a phone call or send an email to your admissions counselor.

Graduate Admissions Counselor

Jeff Millenson

Email: jeff.millenson@biola.edu
Phone: (212) 223-2552 x1284

International Graduate Admissions Counselor

The Office of International Admissions serves students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

Email: grad.international@biola.edu
Book a Phone or Virtual Appointment

Application Steps

  1. Complete and submit the online application

  2. Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee

  3. Submit supplemental application materials through your online application portal:

  4. Official Transcripts

    • Submit all official transcripts from previous academic institutions.
      • Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
      • If enrolled at the time the application is filed, be sure to request transcripts of work finished to date and final transcripts upon completion of your course of study.
      • Transcripts will be considered official only when a) mailed directly from the institution to Biola, b) sent electronically through an approved vendor or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.
        • Mail transcripts to:
          Biola University Office of Graduate Admissions
          13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
    • Note for International Students: All international transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (i.e. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by a credential evaluation agency like SpanTran (Biola Discount), World Education Services (WES) or Foundation for International Services (FIS). Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have SpanTran/WES/FIS send them directly to Biola University via online portal or post (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.

    Two Reference Letters

    • Pastoral reference
    • Character reference (someone in a leadership role in your life)
    • Note: Additional instructions can be found in the online application.

    Two Essays

    • Christian testimony
    • Vocational testimony
    • Note: The essay prompts can be found in the online application.

    English Proficiency (required for non-native English speakers)

    • Evidence of English proficiency is required for all students to support student success. Proficiency must be shown through one of the methods described below:
      • Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test
        • TOEFL: minimum score of 100 iBT
        • IELTS: minimum score of 7.5
        • Duolingo: minimum score of 125
      • A degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
        • Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
        • Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
        • Official catalog verification
        • Note: For universities from non-Anglophone countries, further language assessment may be required.
      • Completion of the English Language Scholars (ELS) with passing status on the ELS's final exit exam, which must be approved by the ELS Director in collaboration with the academic program committee. An updated TOEFL or IELTS score may be used at the end of a term to test directly into the graduate program for the following term.
      • Qualify for English Language Scholars (ELS), which allows students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores to still enroll in their graduate degree program. Students would be taking academic English courses concurrently with the graduate degree program courses. 
        • Students eligible for ELS will be assessed by the ELS Director to determine the total number of academic English courses to take while enrolled in their graduate program courses. The following are the scores needed to qualify for ELS: TOEFL iBT 90 / IELTS 7.0 / Duolingo 110–124.
        • Note: Students must be admitted to the graduate program first to be considered for ELS.

     

    Additional Forms

     

    Things to Note

    • Track your application status at any time. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You can complete a portion and finish at a later time. Your information will be saved. When you apply, to guarantee confidentiality, you will be asked to create a user name and a password, and will receive a personalized identification number. Track your application status by logging in to the online application.
    • Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.
    • International students who will be studying on campus are required to apply for an F-1 student visa. For more information, visit biola.edu/international/admitted-students.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Biola is committed to help make your studies affordable — each school offers different scholarship, grant and loan opportunities to help finance your education.

This program is conducted as a partnership with Chosen People Ministries and has a specialized tuition rate. Contact the Feinberg Center for details.

Faculty


Format

On Campus: You'll study in person at Biola University's campus in Southern California.

Online: You'll take coursework fully online.

Total Credits

Every program at Biola University features rigorous academics, biblically integrated curriculum and vocational preparation.

Standard Completion Time

This indicates the standard duration of this program. Completion time may vary depending on transferred coursework and preferred courseload.

Accreditation

Biola University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.