Graduate Certificate in Sacred Scripture

The goal of the program is to provide students with a Masters-level exploration of foundational components of the biblical Canon.

Upon completion the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate graduate-level familiarity with foundational components of the biblical Canon
2. Apply a range of biblical methods and hermeneutical principles (orally and in writing) to key books/passages of Sacred Scripture
3. Demonstrate competence in relation to the use of biblical tools and resources (online or hard copies) such as concordances, lexicons, bible encyclopedias, commentaries, books, journals and more.
4. Engage in Bible-based practices such as Scripture study groups, retreats or Lectio Divina.

See the section in the Catalogue under General Admission Requirements for Graduate Studies.

Candidates must complete a total of 19 credit hours in Scriptural studies. No more than 6 credit hours of graduate studies completed in other graduate schools may be transferred. Ordinarily, credits earned more than ten years prior to admission will not be transferred.

Candidates must complete:

1. 9 credit hours of core courses. These courses cover foundational components of the biblical Canon, provide historical background, and expose students to a diversity of exegetical methods.
2. 2 credit hours of Scripture Practicum. Students will be required to complete 2 credit hours in biblical ministry, or 2 credit hours of supervised Lectio Divina.
3. 8 credit hours of elective courses. Students are required to take 8 credit hours of elective courses, to engage other components of the canon or train in practical approaches to the use of Sacred Scripture (e.g. in contemporary issues, preaching, prayer, liturgy, catechesis, etc.).
4. The program can be completed online, in person, or some combination of both ways.
5. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required for all courses applicable to the certificate.

Note: The second digit in the course code indicates the number of credit hours

Core Courses (9 credit hours)

SS 6100 Canon and History

SS 6200 Scriptural Hermeneutics or Interpretar la Escritura

SS 7311 The Torah or La Torá

SS 7331 Synoptic Gospels or Evangelios sinópticos

Scripture Practicum (2 credit hours)

SS 9200 Supervised Lectio Divina

SS 7284 The Bible in Retreats and Study Groups

Elective Courses (8 credit hours)

SS 7312 Prophetic and Historical Literature of the OT

SS 7333 Johannine Literature

SS 7336 Pauline Literature or Cartas de San Paulo

PS 7340 Evangelization and Faith Formation

SS 7210 Africana Biblical Hermeneutics

SS 7213 Wisdom Literature of the OT

SS 7229 Praying the Psalms with Christ in the Liturgy

SS 7231 Scripture for Preaching

SS 7234 Hebrews & Catholic Epistles

SS 7235 The Apocalypse

SS 7237 The Acts of the Apostles

SS 7242 The Parables of Jesus

SS 7285 Engaging Scripture Today

SS 7276 Biblical Foundations of Spirituality

SS 7250 Biblical Greek I

SS 7251 Biblical Greek II

SS 7260 Biblical Hebrew I

SS 7261 Biblical Hebrew II

Lay ministers, deacons, chaplains, clergy/pastors in ongoing formation or seeking professional development, teachers, committed faithful.