Dallas Theological Seminary
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About the Program
Biblical Exegesis and Linguistics (M.A./BEL)
Course Requirements
Sixty-two semester hours of course work are required as a minimum for graduation. Of those hours, 18 are prescribed in linguistics and language, 12 in Greek grammar and exegesis, 12 in Hebrew grammar and exegesis, 3 in biblical manners and customs, 3 in theology of world missions, 9 in Bible Exposition,and 5 in Systematic and Historical Theology. The New Testament Studies department advises students in this program. Career guidance is also available from the GIAL staff.
Substitutions may be made for required courses with appropriate departmental approval. Students who have linguistics background or training should consultthe GIAL registrar for course advice.
Linguistics and related translation courses are offered on the campus of GIAL in Dallas. Biblical and theological course work, as well as course work in biblical languages, is offered at Dallas Seminary. A Spiritual Formation group supervised by the Department of World Missions and Intercultural Studies is designed to meet the needs of this group of students.
Completion of course requirements for the M.A./BEL requires careful planning on the part of students as they seek to coordinate course work at two institutions. Every attempt is made to facilitate the completion of the program in two calendar years for full-time students. However, students should be aware that the linguistics courses from GIAL require prerequisites that may extend the length of the program. Before students begin their studies in the M.A./BEL, they should consult the DTS registrar to develop a degree plan for completing requirements. This plan will include input from GIAL on the completion of linguistics requirements.
Editor notes
The purpose of the Biblical Exegesis and Linguistics course is to provide graduate-level training for people who desire instruction in Bible translation. Although it is an excellent experience and introduction to translation, a person who desires to work in other fields of translation would have to take other complimentary courses.
Students in the MABEL program will be able to:
- exegete the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible
- form a basic theological foundation as a grid for Bible translation
- apply basic principles of hermeneutics in Bible study and Bible translation
- understand the theory and principles of language translation
- employ computational tools to construct a phonological analysis, descriptive grammar; partial lexicography, and interlinear text of a minority language
- design an effective strategy for cross-cultural ministry
Cost & Financial Aid
Detailed Tuition Costs
| Degree | Credits per Semester | Cost per Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s (fall and spring) | 9+ hours | $533 |
| Master’s (fall and spring) | 1-8 hour | $560 |
| Master’s degree programs (CGS & nondegree, Summer school, Wintersession) |
$533 | |
| Full-Time Ministry**, Master’s-level, per semester hour Cru, YoungLife, Kanakuk, etc.) |
$283 | |
| Non-U.S. Chinese and Spanish Students (Contact the Chinese Studies Office or DTS en Español for tuition information) |
Rates Vary | |
| Auditing, master’s degree course | $30 | |
| DMin/DEdMin | $630 | |
| Full-Time Ministry (Cru, Young Life, Kanakuk) DMin/DEdMin |
$460 | |
| Doctor of Philosophy | Stage 1 | $575 |
| Doctor of Philosophy | Stage 2 | $645 |
| Doctor of Ministry | $615 | |
| Full-Time Ministry (Cru, Young Life, Kanakuk) Doctor of Philosophy |
Stage 1 | $410 |
| Full-Time Ministry (Cru, Young Life, Kanakuk) Doctor of Philosophy |
Stage 2 | $480 |
| Auditing, doctoral degree course | $55 | |
| Alumni Master’s level, nondegree credit |
$170 | |
| Alumni Doctoral level, nondegree credit |
$323 | |
| Alumni Auditing master’s level |
$30 | |
| Alumni Auditing doctoral level |
$55 | |
* Students needing fewer than 9 hours in their last semester of study may qualify for the reduced rate. Contact the Registrar’s Office for details.
** Employment verification is required and must be submitted to the DTS Registrar’s office registrar@dts.edu ). Eligible Ministry Employers: College of Biblical Studies Houston; CRU, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA); Grace Bible Church College Station, TX; Kanakuk; K-Life; Navigators; Word of Life Bible Institute; and Young Life. Subject to change.
Fees
| General Fees (does not apply to audit only or Spiritual Formation only students) | |
|---|---|
| Fall and spring, per semester | $60/semester |
| Summer School and Wintersession, per credit hour | $10/hour |
| Doctor of Ministry, per credit hour | $15/hour |
| Technology fee (does not apply to audit only or Spiritual Formation only students) | |
| Fall and spring, per semester | $225/semester |
| Summer School and Wintersession, per credit hour | $35/hour |
| Doctor of Ministry, per credit hour | $35/hour |
| Activity fee (optional) | |
| Membership to Tom Landry Baylor Fitness Center, per membership | $75/semester |
| Spiritual Formation Fee (refundable) | |
| SF100 Individual, per semester | $85/semester |
| SF100 Married Couples, per semester | $110/semester |
| SF110 Individual, per semester | $170/semester |
| Campus-use Fee | |
| Charged to students who are not currently enrolled but on official leave and who desire to use campus services | $60/semester |
| Sit-In | $30/semester |
| Student Spouse Audit (3 course/semester max) | $30 |
| Rapid Reading (optional) | |
| Single | $30/semester |
| Double | $50/semester |
| Course Extension for DMin/DEDMin (must be approved) | $20/course |
Advance Deposits
| New (and reentering) master’s and doctoral-level students (except nondegree) | $175 |
|---|
For students completing a certificate, a master’s- or doctoral-level program, the advance deposit applies toward the graduation fee.
On-campus Housing
| Swiss Tower – 1 Bedroom | $750 |
|---|---|
| Swiss Tower – 2 Bedroom | $920 |
| Washington Hall* – 1 Bedroom (private room) | $720 |
| Washington Hall* – 1 Bedroom (shared room) | $385/each |
| Washington Hall* – 2 Bedroom (private room) | $587 |
| Washington Hall* – 2 Bedroom (shared room) | $318.50/each |
Both married student and single student housing is available to current DTS students. Please see the Housing Department page for detailed information.
* Note: Each resident of Washington Hall is in their own lease. Rental rates are dependent upon how many residents reside in a bedroom.
Thesis, Dissertation, and Graduation Fees
| Master’s thesis filing fee | $60 |
|---|---|
| PhD or DMin dissertation or applied research project filing fee (includes microfilming) | $100 |
| Binding fee (for each personal copy of dissertation or applied research project desired) | $20 |
| Graduation/Conferral Fee, all programs (all students—Advanced Deposit applies towards this fee) | $175 |
| Graduation postponement fee | $175 |
| Exchange of a certificate for a degree diploma | $30 |
Miscellaneous Expenses
| Advanced standing exam application fee, per exam | $30 |
|---|---|
| Application fee (nonrefundable) | |
| General application fee | $50 |
| Additional program application fee | $50 |
| Reclassification fee (transferring from one degree program to another) | $50 |
| Change in schedule after payment deadline, each course | $10 |
| Late registration fee | $100 |
| Late payment fee | |
| One day after payment due date | $50 |
| Through first week of term | $100 |
| Second week of term | $150 |
| After second week of term, students pay $20 per week in addition to the $150 fee (no more than $230 total) | $20 |
| MA/BC student counseling fee | $100 |
| PhD Modern Language Exam Fee | $15 |
| DMin/Education LEAD Program Fee | $100 |
| Orientation Fee / New Student Assessment Fee | $70 |
| Assessment Fee (reclassifying from nondegree to degree) | $70 |
| Parking violations | $25 |
| Personality Inventory, per individual/couple, for PhD program | $60 ($72/couple) |
| Servant-Leadership Internship Assessment fee | $100 |
Admissions
https://www.dts.edu/biblical-linguistics-translation-degree-mabel/