DTS – Dallas Theological Seminary

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/