The Seminary

The Seminary advances the mission of Tri-City Baptist Church and International Baptist College and Seminary by engaging present and future Christian leaders in advanced theological preparation. This preparation is designed to be God-focused, thoroughly Biblical, theologically balanced, and practically relevant. Graduates are to exhibit genuine Biblical wisdom in life and leadership.

Method

In keeping with the focus of IBCS on mentoring men and women into ministry, the Seminary employs a combination of resident and adjunct faculty who have advanced academic preparation and significant ministry experience. IBCS courses are all live, involving standard weekly class time with the professor and fellow students, either through physical presence or via two-way video communication. Courses also take advantage of electronic resources and platforms to enhance learning through research as well as through individual and group projects.

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Programs
Faculty

Programs

Programs

International Baptist College and Seminary offers three advanced degree programs oriented toward progressively more advanced leadership responsibilities and influence. These programs are the Master of Arts in Ministry, the Master of Divinity and theDoctor of Ministry.

Mission

The mission of the graduate programs and seminary is to equip balanced leaders who will develop other spiritually and intellectually sound believers to serve one another in the local church and around the world (2 Tim 2:2).

Philosophy and Approach

All programs at IBCS blend strong academics with practical experience. This is due to the belief that the God-fearing leader needs more than just academic knowledge to be faithful in ministry. He or she also needs a love for souls, first-hand experience in a thriving local church ministry, and a deep spiritual devotion to the Lord. International Baptist College and Seminary, with the help of its umbrella institution, Tri-City Baptist Church, and other local churches of like faith and practice, seeks to provide this kind of balanced education for its students.

Ezra 7:10 states, “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” IBCS expects students in the Graduate School and Seminary to display this posture. Students should come with a desire to learn and grow personally, to obey the Word of Truth, and then to teach others.

IBCS takes seriously the Biblical admonition to “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

IBCS seeks to teach all courses from a Christ-centered, Bible-based foundation. It is imperative for the Christian to be equipped intellectually and Biblically in order to serve in the modern world.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per Credit Hour (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms)
(1 to 15, 17 plus credit hours) – $430

Faculty

Faculty

At International Baptist Seminary, our faculty and staff endeavor to mentor God-fearing leaders by modeling God-fearing lives. In addition, students receive one-on-one attention from a diverse faculty that has one or more graduate degrees. They are recognized specialists in their teaching fields, having served as missionaries, evangelists, senior pastors of independent churches, and church planters.

The M.A.Min courses are offered during the regular fall and spring semesters as well as during one- or two-week modular classes in the summers (usually late May-June) and winters (usually January). A modular course often includes reading assignments to be completed before the class meets.

Substitute Credits

According to the New Testament, pastoral leadership is the responsibility of men. Female applicants may be admitted into the IBCS M.A.Min. program. Admittance, however, is with the understanding that IBCS does not train women for or place women into pastoral ministry. Therefore, those admitted will be required to select 4 credits of general electives in place of PR 671 and PR 672.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the Master of Divinity degree program requires an approved Bachelor’s degree. In addition, according to the New Testament, pastoral leadership is the responsibility of men. Because the Master of Divinity program is designed specifically to prepare men for the pastoral ministry or the equivalent level of leadership in Christian Service, the Master of Divinity Program is open only to male students.

Admissions with Language Deficiency

Readiness for Intermediate New Testament Greek is a prerequisite for admission to the M.Div. program. This proficiency may be demonstrated through successful completion of Elementary Greek, at the undergraduate or graduate level, or through the successful completion of a proficiency exam to be administered by IBCS. A student that cannot demonstrate proficiency through one of these means may nevertheless be admitted to the program, provided that the student removes the deficiency within two years of admission.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the M.A.Min., the successful student will:

Recognize and articulate theological values according to a thoroughly Biblical and historically Baptistic position.
Communicate Biblical truth clearly and effectively, whether in print or in speech.
Develop relevant answers to current ministry problems and issues.
Serve and lead in the local church with administrative, relational, and spiritual adeptness.

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Course #	Name of Course	Hours
BI 512	Advanced Hermeneutics	2
EN 620	Research and Writing	1
PR 671	Expository Preaching	2
PR 672	Homiletics – Presentation & Delivery	2
PS 500	Theology of Counseling	2
TH 523	Baptist Polity	2
TH 532	Dispensationalism	2
	Approved Ministry Electives	4
	Approved Electives	14
	Capstone Exam	1

TOTAL HOURS: 32

Your Future

Potential Careers Include:

Church Administrator
Evangelist
Missionary
Pastor

Ministry Focus

Tri-City Baptist Church and other local churches provide International Baptist College with a variety of opportunities to gain ministry experience. Music students can be personally mentored by an experienced music pastor while serving in a children’s choir, adult choir, or church orchestra. In addition, Tri-City Christian Academy’s large enrollment allows education majors to do their observation and student teaching on campus.

Visit the Master of Arts in Ministry page for more details.

The Master of Divinity degree is a 96-hour graduate-level academic program designed primarily for men who wish to serve in the senior pastorate or other position requiring a similar level of spiritual and ministry leadership. It provides a more in-depth study of the Bible, theology, and ministry practice than on the undergraduate level. It is possible to complete the program in four years.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the Master of Divinity degree program requires an approved Bachelor’s degree. In addition, according to the New Testament, pastoral leadership is the responsibility of men. Because the Master of Divinity program is designed specifically to prepare men for the pastoral ministry or the equivalent level of leadership in Christian Service, the Master of Divinity Program is open only to male students.

Admissions with Language Deficiency

Readiness for Intermediate New Testament Greek is a prerequisite for admission to the M.Div. program. This proficiency may be demonstrated through successful completion of Elementary Greek, at the undergraduate or graduate level, or through the successful completion of a proficiency exam to be administered by IBCS. A student that cannot demonstrate proficiency through one of these means may nevertheless be admitted to the program, provided that the student removes the deficiency within two years of admission.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master of Divinity, the successful student will

Integrate a personal love for God with an ever-expanding relationship with people.
Evidence a comprehensive understanding of the original message of the Bible through the application of legitimate hermeneutical principles.
Value a deeper knowledge of the historical development of Christian thought and practice.
Employ an expanded ability to relay and apply the Bible’s message to the modern audience.
Value the commitment to Biblically-based separation.
Apply effective, Bible-based solutions to problems encountered in ministry leadership.
Construct a genuine concern for people through an understanding of human problems.

Program Requirements

Bible Requirements

Course #	Name of Course	Hours
BI 501	New Testament Introduction	3
BI 512	Advanced Hermeneutics	2
BI 521	Old Testament Introduction	3
BI 530	Old Testament Exposition: Pentateuch	2
BI 532	Old Testament Exposition: Wisdom Books	2
	Old Testament Book Study (elective)	2
	New Testament Book Study (elective)	2

TOTAL HOURS: 16

Theology Requirements

Course #	Name of Course	Hours
TH 501	New Testament Theology	3
TH 502	Old Testament Theology	3
TH 513	Historical Theology	3
TH 523	Baptist Polity	2
TH 532	Dispensationalism	2
TH 601	Prolegomena and Bibliology	2
TH 602	Trinitarianism	2
TH 603	Angelology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology	2
TH 604	Anthropology, Hamartiology, Soteriology	2

TOTAL HOURS: 21

Language Requirements

Course #	Name of Course	Hours
EN 620	Research and Writing	2
*GK 603	Greek Syntax	2
*GK 604	Greek Exegesis	2
HB 501	Hebrew Grammar	3
HB 502	Hebrew Syntax and Exegesis	3
	Approved Greek Book Study Electives	6

TOTAL HOURS: 18

*GK 601 and 602 may be substituted as deemed necessary by the Administration.

History Requirements

Course #	Name of Course	Hours
HI 533	History of Fundamentalism	2
HI 535	History of Christianity 1	3
HI 536	History of Christianity 2	3

TOTAL HOURS: 8

Ministry Requirements

Course #	Name of Course	Hours
MI 513	Missions and the Church	2
PR 584	Biblical Leadership	2
PR 621	Pastoral Care	2
PR 652	Evangelism and Cross Cultural Issues	2
PR 653	Philosophy of Ministry	2
PR 671	Expository Preaching	2
PR 672	Homiletics – Presentation & Delivery	2
PS 500	Theology of Counseling	2
PS 501	Dynamics of Biblical Change	2
	Approved Ministry Electives	4

TOTAL HOURS: 22

Additional Requirements

Course #	Name of Course	Hours
EN 630	Capstone Project	1
	Approved Electives	10

TOTAL HOURS: 11

Your Future

Potential Careers Include:

Church Administrator
Chaplain
Evangelist
Missionary
Pastor

Ministry Focus

Tri-City Baptist Church and other local churches provide International Baptist College with a variety of opportunities to gain ministry experience. Music students can be personally mentored by an experienced music pastor while serving in a children’s choir, adult choir, or church orchestra. In addition, Tri-City Christian Academy’s large enrollment allows education majors to do their observation and student teaching on campus.

Visit the Master of Divinity page for more details.

Admissions Requirements

A student must have an M.Div. or its equivalent to be admitted to the Doctor of Ministry program. Equivalency is defined as at least 96 semester hours of master’s level work (exclusive of the bachelor’s degree) in the various fields of religious studies. Specifically, the subjects studied should include systematic theology, approximately equal emphasis on New Testament and Old Testament studies, six hours of graduate Greek, six hours of graduate Hebrew, New Testament and Old Testament introductions, Bible exposition, church history or related studies, and courses in pastoral theology.

Each applicant’s program is examined individually, and any deficiencies must be made up before degree candidacy can be granted. In addition, according to the New Testament, pastoral leadership is the responsibility of men. Because the Doctor of Ministry program is designed to further equip men in the pastoral ministry or positions of equivalent leadership in Christian Service, the Doctor of Ministry program is open only to male students.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Doctor of Ministry, the successful student will:

Value the communication of Biblical truth and the commitment to Biblically based separation,
Evidence the ability to research, write, preach, and counsel from a Biblical perspective,
Integrate effective philosophies and procedures that facilitate both worship and discipleship within a local church, and
Apply effective solutions for addressing complex issues within the realm of church administration and management.

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Course #	Name of Course	Hours
PR 773	Advanced Sermonic Structures	2
PR 754	Church Growth	2
EN 720	Research and Writing	1
EN 820	Advanced Thesis Writing	1
EN 830	Dissertation Project*	4
PR 783	Ministry Management	2
PR 884	Biblical Leadership	2
TH 824	Christian Apologetics	2
	Advanced Exposition Elective	2
	Approved Electives	14

TOTAL HOURS: 32

*Two credits per semester enrolled in dissertation writing for up to two semesters.

Your Future

Potential Careers Include:

Church Administrator
Chaplain
Evangelist
Missionary
Pastor

Ministry Focus

Tri-City Baptist Church and other local churches provide International Baptist College with a variety of opportunities to gain ministry experience. Music students can be personally mentored by an experienced music pastor while serving in a children’s choir, adult choir, or church orchestra. Tri-City Christian Academy’s large enrollment allows education majors to do their observation and student teaching on campus.

Visit the Doctor of Ministry page for more details.

Additional Information

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Resources

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The Seminary

Programs

Faculty

Programs

Programs

Mission

Philosophy and Approach

Tuition & Fees

Faculty

Faculty

Dr. Larry Ball

Dr. Keith Gephart

Dr. Andrew Hudson

Dr. Preston Mayes

Dr. Charles McLain

Dr. Kevin Schaal

Dr. William Senn

Dr. David Shumate

Dr. Michael Sproul

Additional Information

Resources