Have you wished you would have taken more theology classes during your graduate work? Or do you find your lay ministry position is putting you in touch with more and more problems within families? Or maybe you’re at a point in your spiritual life where you are thirsting for more in your relationship with God.

A Graduate Certificate may be just the boost you need to advance in ministry or your spiritual journey. “A graduate certificate is not a graduate degree. It’s a credential you earn after gaining specialized knowledge in a short, intensive program,” explains Coursera.

Barclay College recently added a Bible & Theology Certificate requiring four courses foundational to a better understanding of scripture and its interpretation: Christian Theology, Christian History, New Testament Hermeneutics, and Old Testament Hermeneutics. The Graduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Certificate can be earned with these courses.

These courses challenge and hone your critical thinking skills and allow you to learn from some of the best in the field. As of the 2023-2024 academic year, Christian Theology and History are both taught by Dr. John Knox. Dr. Knox has a PhD in Theology and Religion, an MA in Psychology, Sociology, and Theological Studies. He’s written numerous books and articles and also teaches at Liberty University and Multnomah University’s Seminary.

Dr. Paul Anderson teaches New Testament Hermeneutics. Dr. Anderson has taught at Yale Divinity School, Princeton Theological Seminary, George Fox University, and Anderson University. He also serves as an Extraordinary Professor of Religion at the North-West University of Potchefstroom, South Africa. He, too, has written numerous books and articles. Dr. Anderson was a student of D. Elton Trueblood in seminary where he became fascinated with the Gospel of John. His career-long study and analysis has provided an approach to answer some of the Johannine riddles that have perplexed scholars for several centuries.

Dr. Steven Mann teaches Old Testament Hermeneutics. Dr. Mann also teaches at Azusa Pacific University and is Chair of the Seminary there. He earned a PhD in Theology with an emphasis in Old Testament and Hermeneutics from Fuller Theological Seminary and an MDiv from Azusa Pacific Seminary. “I think the Old Testament is fun!” says Dr. Mann. “I love walking through Scripture with other people, especially those who share my conviction that the biblical texts are trying to equip us in our faith in Jesus.”

Nine Concentrations are available for the Graduate Certificate: Biblical Translation, Family Ministry, Missional Multiplication, Pastoral Ministry, Practical Theology, Quaker Studies, Spiritual Formation, Sports Outreach, and Transformational Leadership. If you would like more information, please click here.

Graduate Certificate
If you have completed an undergraduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education, consider a Graduate Certificate from Barclay College. This post-baccalaureate certificate is awarded after completing four (4) courses within one concentration. The credits earned in a certificate may be transferred into the MA degree.

Advanced Graduate Certificate
The Advanced Graduate Certificate consists of two (2) courses within one concentration, offered to those who have completed an MA degree through the School of Graduate Studies. If you have completed an MA degree at another institution, you should apply for the Postgraduate Certificate instead.

Postgraduate Certificate
The MA Postgraduate Certificate consists of four (4) courses within one concentration. It is offered to those who have completed a master’s degree at an accredited institution of higher education other than Barclay College. The Postgraduate Certificate exists for those who wish to develop their skill sets and knowledge beyond their master’s degree.

Graduate Fellowship
Those who complete an MA degree and four (4) courses within one concentration at the School of Graduate Studies will be honored with a Graduate Fellowship in recognition of the length of their study and affiliation with the School of Graduate Studies.

For more information on Graduate Certificates at Barclay College School of Graduate Studies, contact graduatestudies@barclaycollege.edu. More information is available at https://www.barclaycollege.edu/graduate/.