Arts & Humanities

Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies

The Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies at the Adventist University of Africa is a postgraduate programme designed to assist theologians, pastors, and ministry workers in developing expertise at the master's level in biblical studies, theology, and church history. Offered through the Theological Seminary, the programme addresses the need for specialised training in ministry amidst local and global changes.

The programme provides students with opportunities to increase knowledge in biblical, theological, and historical studies, develop research skills, qualify to teach religion, and prepare for future doctoral studies. Students choose from five specialisations: Old Testament, New Testament, Systematic Theology, Church History, and Biblical Languages.

Core courses include advanced methods of teaching Bible, biblical hermeneutics, readings in Hebrew Old Testament, and readings in Greek New Testament. Research courses cover documentary research and writing, research proposal seminars, and a master's thesis of sixty-five to ninety pages. Each specialisation track offers a range of specialised courses in exegesis, theology, and historical analysis.

Admission requires a Bachelor's degree in Theology or Religion with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 on a 4-point scale or equivalent grade of sixty per cent. Applicants with a CGPA of 2.5 to 2.99 may be accepted on probation. Two recommendations are required, one from the local church board and one from the previous university or employing organisation.

The programme is offered full-time over two years or part-time over three years, with instruction delivered on the AUA campus in Nairobi. The Adventist University of Africa is a pan-African Seventh-day Adventist institution, attracting students from across the continent and fostering a diverse theological learning community.

Graduates are prepared for roles in pastoral ministry, theological education, religious research, and doctoral studies. The programme's CUE accreditation ensures that graduates hold recognised qualifications for teaching and ministry positions throughout Kenya and beyond.

Skills Required

Biblical exegesis (Hebrew and Greek)
Biblical hermeneutics
Theological research and writing
Old Testament interpretation
New Testament interpretation
Systematic theology analysis
Church history research
Biblical language proficiency
Theological education and pedagogy
Academic thesis writing

Key Subjects

Biblical Hermeneutics
Readings in Hebrew Old Testament
Readings in Greek New Testament
Advanced Methods of Teaching Bible
Documentary Research and Writing
Old Testament Exegesis
New Testament Exegesis
Systematic Theology
Church History
Biblical Languages

Certifications

Ordination (Seventh-day Adventist Church)
Society of Biblical Literature Membership
Evangelical Theological Society Membership

Specializations

Old Testament

Focuses on the exegesis and theology of the Hebrew Bible, including courses on the Pentateuch, prophetic literature, poetic literature, and Old Testament backgrounds.

New Testament

Examines the New Testament through courses on the Gospels, Pauline epistles, Revelation, New Testament backgrounds, and New Testament theology.

Systematic Theology

Covers Christian doctrine through courses on revelation, inspiration, Christology, soteriology, Christian ethics, and the development of Seventh-day Adventist theology.

Church History

Traces the development of Christianity from the early church through the Reformation to modern times, with attention to the African context and Adventist history.

Biblical Languages

Provides advanced training in Biblical Hebrew, Biblical Greek, and Biblical Aramaic, equipping students for advanced exegetical work and doctoral studies.

Biblical Hermeneutics

Develops principles and methods of biblical interpretation, tracing the history of hermeneutics from the Judeo-Christian tradition through modern and postmodern approaches.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 337,500
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 12 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Biblical Hermeneutics
Readings in Hebrew Old Testament
Readings in Greek New Testament
Advanced Methods of Teaching Bible
Documentary Research and Writing
Old Testament Exegesis
New Testament Exegesis
Systematic Theology
Church History
Biblical Languages

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Methods of Teaching Bible
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Broadens the instructional repertoire of Bible teachers, combining subject knowledge, learning processes, and communication techniques to enhance teaching effectiveness.
Biblical Hermeneutics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops sound principles of biblical interpretation, tracing the history of hermeneutics within the Judeo-Christian tradition including modern and postmodern methods.
Readings in Hebrew Old Testament
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops practical working knowledge of Biblical Hebrew for accurate Old Testament interpretation, including vocabulary of words used one hundred times or more in the Hebrew Bible.
Readings in Greek New Testament
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Equips students with knowledge of Greek morphology and syntax for exegetical and hermeneutical study of the New Testament, building on beginning Biblical Greek.
Documentary Research and Writing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Studies the philosophy, methods, tools, and techniques of documentary research, geared toward developing a thesis or dissertation in biblical and theological studies.
Research Proposal Seminar
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Prepares students for researching a thesis topic, writing a proposal, forming a committee, and defending the proposal through peer-review critique and feedback.
Principles and Methods of Old Testament Exegesis
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Introduces the steps and tools for exegesis of the Hebrew text, including practice in exegeting selected passages and writing an exegesis paper.
Principles and Methods of New Testament Exegesis
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Introduces principles and tools for accurate exegesis of the Greek New Testament, including text criticism and practice in exegeting selected passages.
Theology of the Old Testament
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Studies major theological themes of the Old Testament in their literary, cultural, and historical contexts, tracing concepts such as God, covenant, sin, and sacrifice.
Theology of the New Testament
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Surveys New Testament theological themes within individual books and across the New Testament, focusing on unity, authority, and methodologies for New Testament theology.
History of the Early and Medieval Church
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Overviews the development of the Christian Church from apostolic times to the end of the Middle Ages, with particular focus on the Church in Africa.
Master of Arts Thesis
Year 2Semester 46 creditsCore
A substantive research thesis of sixty-five to ninety pages involving original collection or treatment of data in an area of biblical or theological studies.

Specialisations

Old Testament
Focuses on the exegesis and theology of the Hebrew Bible, including courses on the Pentateuch, prophetic literature, poetic literature, and Old Testament backgrounds.
New Testament
Examines the New Testament through courses on the Gospels, Pauline epistles, Revelation, New Testament backgrounds, and New Testament theology.
Systematic Theology
Covers Christian doctrine through courses on revelation, inspiration, Christology, soteriology, Christian ethics, and the development of Seventh-day Adventist theology.
Church History
Traces the development of Christianity from the early church through the Reformation to modern times, with attention to the African context and Adventist history.
Biblical Languages
Provides advanced training in Biblical Hebrew, Biblical Greek, and Biblical Aramaic, equipping students for advanced exegetical work and doctoral studies.
Biblical Hermeneutics
Develops principles and methods of biblical interpretation, tracing the history of hermeneutics from the Judeo-Christian tradition through modern and postmodern approaches.

A day as a student

A typical day for an MABTS student at the Adventist University of Africa combines morning lectures on biblical hermeneutics, Hebrew or Greek readings, or theological analysis with afternoon seminars and research sessions. Students engage in close textual study of Scripture in original languages, participate in peer-review sessions for research proposals, and attend chapel services. Library research forms a significant part of independent study, with students working on exegesis papers and thesis drafts. The pan-African student body enriches classroom discussions with diverse cultural and ministry perspectives from across the continent.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme offers five specialisation tracks, allowing students to focus on their area of greatest interest and expertise.
AUA's pan-African student body creates a rich multicultural learning environment with diverse ministry perspectives from across the continent.
The programme provides a strong foundation for doctoral studies, with a research thesis requirement and structured research methods training.

Against it

The programme is denominationally oriented, with curriculum content reflecting Seventh-day Adventist theological perspectives.
Tuition fees are charged in USD with tiered pricing, making costs variable and potentially high for students from certain African countries.
Job market demand for theological graduates is primarily within religious institutions, limiting broader career options.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public171k to 221k

171k at Maseno University221k at University of Nairobi

Private218k to 338k

218k at International Leadership University338k at Pan Africa Christian University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN 220.5K, ILU 218.4K/yr verified. PAC, Maseno unverified.

AUA offers several scholarship programmes including the Merit Scholarship, Baker Worthy Students Scholarship, and Brempong Owusu-Antwi Scholarship. Kenyan students may also apply for HELB postgraduate loans.

Funding options

AUA Merit Scholarship
Baker Worthy Students Scholarship
Brempong Owusu-Antwi Scholarship
HELB Postgraduate Loan

Scholarships

4 recorded

AUA Merit Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
Students demonstrating exceptional academic merit at the Adventist University of Africa.
Baker Worthy Students Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 250,000
Students demonstrating financial need and academic worthiness at AUA.
Brempong Owusu-Antwi Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 250,000
Students meeting specific academic and service criteria, honouring the legacy of a former AUA faculty member.
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Applicants with a CGPA of 2.5 to 2.99 or 55% to 59% may be accepted on probation. Two recommendations are required: one from the local church board and one from the previous university or employing organisation. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Exegetical papers, theological essays, and research assignments submitted for each course unit throughout the programme.
Class Participation and Seminars
Coursework20% of the mark
Active participation in seminar discussions, peer-review sessions, and class presentations on biblical and theological topics.
End-of-Course Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Written examinations at the conclusion of each course, testing mastery of content and exegetical skills.
Master's Thesis
Project20% of the mark
A research thesis of sixty-five to ninety pages involving original research in biblical or theological studies, defended before a thesis committee.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) in 2012. The Adventist University of Africa is a chartered private university in Kenya, and the MA in Biblical and Theological Studies meets CUE standards for postgraduate academic programmes.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan university programmes. AUA's MA in Biblical and Theological Studies was accredited by CUE in 2012.
Association for Theological Education in Africa (ATEA)
Professional accreditation
Pan-African accrediting body for theological education, providing quality assurance for theological programmes across African institutions.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Pastor / Clergy Member
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 180,000
Provides spiritual leadership, preaches, and manages church operations within denominational structures.
Theology Lecturer
Low demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches biblical studies, theology, or church history at theological colleges, seminaries, and universities.
Religious Studies Instructor
Moderate demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 140,000
Instructs students in religious studies at secondary schools, colleges, or university departments.
Chaplain
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 150,000
Provides spiritual care and counselling in healthcare institutions, schools, military, or correctional facilities.
Religious Communications Officer
Low demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages communications, publications, and media relations for denominational headquarters or religious organisations.
Interfaith Dialogue Specialist
Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Facilitates dialogue and cooperation between different religious traditions in academic, community, or institutional settings.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in pastoral ministry, theological education, religious research, and denominational administration, with opportunities for doctoral studies in biblical and theological fields.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Logos Bible Software
SoftwarePrimary
Digital library platform for biblical studies, providing original language texts, commentaries, and exegetical tools.
BibleWorks
Software
Software for original language Bible study, including Hebrew and Greek text analysis and morphological searching.
Accordance Bible Software
Software
Bible study platform with advanced tools for Greek and Hebrew exegesis, text criticism, and morphological analysis.
Zotero
Software
Reference management software for organising research sources and producing academic citations in theological writing.
SBL Handbook of Style
ReferencePrimary
Standard citation and style manual for biblical and theological studies, essential for academic writing in the field.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A Biblical and Theological Studies degree only leads to church ministry.
Graduates pursue careers in theological education, academic research, religious publishing, chaplaincy, and denominational administration alongside pastoral ministry.
The programme is exclusively for Seventh-day Adventist members.
While AUA is an Adventist institution, the programme is open to qualified applicants from other Christian traditions who meet admission requirements.
Biblical languages are too difficult to master at the master's level.
The programme offers structured Hebrew and Greek courses with progressive readings, building language competence incrementally from foundational to advanced levels.
Theological studies has no relevance to contemporary African challenges.
The programme addresses modern ethical, social, and cultural issues through courses on Christian ethics, African church history, and contextual theology.
An MA in Biblical and Theological Studies is not recognised outside religious institutions.
The programme is CUE-accredited, making it a recognised academic qualification for teaching positions in universities and colleges across Kenya.