Azusa Pacific University is launching a new Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies (BTS) degree this fall, which offers students a comprehensive preparation for seminary and graduate study, vocational ministry, and a wide range of professional pathways. This innovative program equips students with a deep understanding of Scripture, theology, and Christian practice, while providing the flexibility to tailor their academic experience to their unique calling, interests, and career goals.
The new BTS program consolidates APU’s existing majors in biblical studies, theology, Christian ministries, and youth and family ministries. While these past degrees helped students concentrate their studies and develop expertise in more narrow niches, the new program’s framework delivers an integrated education that combines depth and breadth. Eunny Lee, PhD, associate dean of the School of Theology, explained the benefits of bridging these disciplines. “If students want to become good interpreters of Scripture, they need to learn to think theologically and contextually,” Lee said. “If they want to do theology well, they need to be grounded in Scripture and connected to the lived experience of the people they will serve. All of these areas of study are interconnected, and this integration provides students with a much more well-rounded preparation for various forms of ministry.”
Expanding Opportunities for Double Majors and Diverse Vocations
A huge benefit of the new BTS program is that it enables students to more easily double major and pursue bivocational pathways. While many students feel a clear calling to ministry, they also want a practical degree which increases their career options and employability opportunities after graduation. To meet this need, the new degree features a highly streamlined curriculum of 45 units. All APU undergraduate students already take 18 units of coursework in biblical and theological formation as part of the general education core, 12 of which overlap with BTS course requirements, meaning students only need to take 33 additional units to complete the major.
“The opportunity to double major allows students to tailor their APU education to best fit their career goals,” Lee said. “For example, a natural second major would be psychology or social work, which in combination with this degree, would better equip students for vocations in pastoral care and counseling. But there are various other majors which could also pair well with biblical and theological studies, or students could add multiple minors, depending on their interests and goals.”
A Broader Vision for Modern Ministry
By stepping away from more narrow concentrations, the BTS major prepares graduates for a lifetime of adaptable ministry in a rapidly changing world. The program empowers students to carry their calling into a variety of diverse professional fields, including traditional parish ministry, chaplaincy, education, parachurch leadership, social work, publishing, and public sector roles.
“The new program encourages students to think broadly and creatively about Christian ministry beyond traditional forms,” Lee said. “Students will be able to take the robust theological education in this program and adapt it for various forms of leadership and service, in whichever career path they choose.”
Holistic Preparation for Seminary
For students whose career trajectory includes graduate school education, the BTS structure mirrors that of a Master of Divinity (MDiv) program. “In seminary, students pursuing an MDiv degree don’t typically specialize in a single discipline. Instead, the curriculum integrates a wide range of subjects, including biblical studies, theology, church history, and practical theology, which is exactly what our new program does at the undergraduate level,” Lee said. “Our students will be able to engage Scripture critically in ways that respond thoughtfully to the pressing needs of our time and do so with integrity, humility, curiosity, and conviction. Our graduates will be well prepared to succeed in seminary and beyond.”