School Details
Biola University, a four-year private institution, provides quality Christian, biblically-centered education to those compelled to earn a faith-based degree. BU encourages students to become leaders and advocates of change in the world, and collaboratively learn within a diverse community.
Bachelor’s and master’s degrees are available online at Biola University. Certificate programs are also available to those pursuing education and religious studies. Other programs range from business, management, healthcare and more.
Biola, the online way:
- 100% online or blended courses available
- Flexible, transfer-friendly programs
- Asynchronous classes
Accreditation & Licensing
Biola University is accredited by:
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
All Programs
Business
The Bachelor of Science in Business Management online degree is designed for working adults who wish to advance their careers. Through this 100% online degree, you will become a stronger business leader without sacrificing your current career. The courses, all of which have a distinctly Christian perspective, develop knowledge and skills in business administration. Emphasis is placed on management as students complete such courses as:
- Introduction to marketing
- Human capital management
- Organizational ethics
- High-performance leadership
Graduates are prepared to build healthy organizations as leaders with innovation, critical thinking and people management skills.
The MBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurship online degree allows professionals to pursue business as ministry. The Christ-centered curriculum integrates scriptural principles, developing a Christian worldview along with the skills, relationships, and advanced knowledge needed to be an effective leader. Coursework utilizes cases and group discussions to skillfully apply biblical principles to complex business issues. Graduates are able to see business as a means of promoting the common good and honoring Christ through hard work, ethics, and services.
Students in this online Entrepreneurship degree benefit from being paired with a successful Christian businessperson who provides them with personal, one-on-one mentoring and executive coaching.
The Master of Management, Nonprofit Organizations degree from Biola University is an online nonprofit management degree that is designed for leaders in nonprofit and faith-based organizations. This is a joint program that combines elements of an MBA and a seminary degree, making it ideal for those serving in leadership positions in churches, mission agencies, social enterprises, and more. Students learn the language and culture of both business and theology, so they are ready for positions as effective, influential, Christ-centered leaders.
Depending on your interests and knowledge, you are able to choose a track in:
- Spiritual formation
- Biblical foundations
Students benefit from Biola’s mentorship program that pairs all students with a successful Christian businessperson who provides them with personal, one-on-one mentoring and executive coaching throughout the program.
Education
Boost your abilities to create and update school curricula with a Graduate Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction. This online program prepares you to write and edit educational programs for schools or for academic publication.
Coursework covers topics related to educational processes, student assessment, classroom management, and more. Students will learn skills vital to improving instruction and reducing educational disparities. An important aspect of this program is learning how to write professional book proposals, grants, and scope and sequence documents for learning programs across all grades.
Some of the courses in this 12-credit program include:
- Learning, Motivation & Student Engagement
- Current Issues in Education & Education Policy
- Preparing Textbooks for Publication
- School Leadership & Professional Learning Communities
The online Graduate Certificate in Special Education is a wonderful resource to help any educator better serve their students with special needs. Whether you are or plan to become a general education teacher, specialize in teaching special education students, lead school buildings, or develop curriculum, the topics covered in this program will be beneficial to you.
Participants will strengthen their understanding and expertise in addressing the needs of special education students. This graduate certificate can be completed on its own or as part of the MS in Special Education, MA in Education, MA in Teaching, or Special Education (Mild/Moderate) Credential programs from the university.
Available course topics include:
- Assessment and evaluation of exceptional students
- Teaching students with mild disabilities in inclusive settings
- Behavior and classroom management for students with special needs
- Introduction to autism spectrum disorders
Gain practical skills for teaching English in cross-cultural settings with a Graduate Certificate in TESOL. In addition to classroom strategies, participants in this program will benefit from an enhanced global perspective to better understand their students.
Courses provide students with resources necessary to help others learn the English language. Classes cover foundational second language pedagogy and enhance your practical classroom skills. Graduates of this program will be able to help students seeking English language skills in order to pursue further education, better career opportunities, or live successfully in English-speaking countries.
Some of the topics covered in this online ESL program include:
- Structure of English
- Introduction to TESOL – Adult
- Materials Evaluation and Preparation
- Ethics, Values, and Intercultural Communication for TESOL Professionals
- Vocabulary Learning and Teaching
- Bible Theology
This Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL) is offered entirely online. If you are a current ESL/EFL teacher who wants to earn a Christianity-focused master’s degree while remaining at your current location, this degree might be a good fit for you.
The curriculum will develop your expertise in language teaching. Graduates of this program are characterized by their professional preparation, contextual sensitivity, cultural appropriateness, and ethical service.
With a Master of Science in Curriculum, Instruction and Publication degree online, you can improve your job skills while maintaining your current employment. This online master’s in curriculum and instruction is designed for teachers looking to increase their mastery of curriculum methodology, pedagogy, and theoretical applications.
Classwork covers practical skills for those in the educational publishing industry. You will learn how to write query letters, book proposals, and research grants. You will work hand-in-hand with textbook editors and graphic artists. Importantly, you will also participate in faculty-lead research teams and contribute to publications for peer-reviewed journals. A published article upon course completion can be an immediate CV booster and can give you the edge you need to advance your career in educational publishing.
Psychology & Human Services
Learn about how people think, act, and relate from a Christian worldview with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology from Biola University. This online Psychology degree combines scientific, research-driven study with a biblical understanding of human nature.
The program focuses on psychosocial development, research, and theories of psychological study. All students will take 30 credits of biblical studies as part of their degree. Additional course topics within this major include psychology and Christian thought, marriage and family life, psychological health and wellness, and counseling techniques.
Graduates can apply their degree to a wide range of career possibilities such as:
- Human resource specialist
- Case manager
- Career counselor
- Substance abuse counselor
- Applied behavior analyst
- Probation officer
Religion & Philosophy
Do you want to explore and better understand Christianity? This online theology degree gives you the opportunity to do just that while also teaching you to see all aspects of life from a biblical perspective. Expand your understanding of the Scriptures and explore theological questions as you learn to respond to significant challenges to the Christian faith.
With a robust, biblically integrated curriculum, this online theology degree is taught by scholars who are dedicated to biblical and theological studies. Plus, you can study at your own pace with convenient, asynchronous courses.
Biola University offers a Graduate Certificate in Biblical and Theological Studies. Courses are provided in fully online, on-campus, or hybrid formats. This program is designed for those without formal training, including ministers, lay leaders, church elders, and so on. Study with experienced, reputable professors through courses including:
- Hermeneutics
- Old and New Testament survey
- Theology
Take a glance into master’s programs at Biola University through this rigorous certificate program. Study scripture and biblical text in historical contexts to better understand cultural backgrounds and purpose. Enhance your abilities to serve with knowledge and confidence with BU, and apply your credits towards further studies today.
Earn a Master of Arts degree in Bible Exposition with Biola University. Courses are offered fully online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format. This program is highly flexible and customizable, offering classes such as:
- Theology
- Old and New Testament survey
- Hermeneutics
- Elementary principles of Biblical language
Students will hone an understanding of the Bible’s ancient and modern significance, becoming proficient in interpretation and application of passages and literature. Graduates may go on to teach in small group, Sunday school, and ministry settings. Discover various tools and techniques to better develop academically and spiritually with Biola University.
Advance your career with this online theology degree. Study with a world leader in Christian Apologetics as you learn to confidently make the case for faith in Jesus Christ. You will learn to correct misconceptions about Christianity and articulate a Christian worldview with intelligence, confidence, and compassion.
Courses, taught by a distinguished and expert faculty, foster your spiritual growth and maturity through the study of Scriptures and theology. Plus, when you earn this theology degree online, you can continue with your busy life as you study.
Study from classic expositions of Scripture as you learn about the integration and interpretation of Holy Scripture with this online theology degree. These texts are drawn from many cultures and across many eras, including:
- Patristic
- Medieval
- Reformation
- Modern
Each class integrates theology, history, and exegesis with personal spirituality. The curriculum is comprised of Common Places (Christian doctrines), Master Practitioners (major theologians), and Sacred Pages (books of the Bible). Courses are taught using a Socratic pedagogy in both the classroom and online. Online, you can earn the same theology degree but with greater flexibility.
The Cook School of Intercultural Studies offers an online MA for you to gain the knowledge and skills to work within diverse cultures. Biola University is a Christian university, so this graduate program can well-prepare you for international mission work or to work in ministry in a large, multi-cultural city. The degree can be earned 100% online in 24-48 months, or at an accelerated pace of 12 months if you already have mission or intercultural undergraduate work. There are three concentration tracks available online in the MA program: Missiology, TESOL, and Peace and Conflict Transformation. Apart from theological and Christian-based classes, curriculum also is likely to include:
- Social anthropology
- Urban research and study
- Ethnographic field methods
Biola University offers a Master of Arts degree in New Testament to the nontraditional student. This program is available fully online, as well as in on-campus and hybrid formats. Graduates of this program may pursue church-based ministry or further academic studies upon completion of courses including but not limited to:
- Exegesis in the gospels and epistles
- Spiritual theology and formation
- Beginning Greek
- Hermeneutics
Faculty are expert New Testament scholars, providing students a thorough grounding in language and literature of the NT. Study historical and cultural backgrounds, become competent in Greek language, develop tools and techniques of Bible study, and more with Biola University.
A Master of Arts degree in Old Testament is available online with Biola University. Students in this program will study Old Testament backgrounds, including religious beliefs, literature, geography, and more. Courses are offered in online, on-campus, and hybrid formats.
The curriculum for this program includes but is not limited to:
- Hermeneutics
- Theology
- Elements of Hebrew
- Personal foundations and spiritual formation
Learn the tools and techniques to exegete scripture. Study the history and culture of Ancient Near East, and develop skills of biblical interpretation through grammar and reading ancient Hebrew texts. Prepare for further studies in the doctoral program through this master’s degree with Biola University.
Earn a Master of Arts degree in Theology / Greek and Non-Greek with Biola University. Gain a stronger biblical foundation fully online, on-campus, or through a hybrid course format. Students will expand biblical understanding and interpretation of the New Testament through studies including but not limited to:
- Exegesis
- Spiritual formation, vocation, and the disciplines
- Contemporary theology
- Hermeneutics
Experience fluidity in scholarly writing and discussions. Each track, Greek and Non-Greek, studies principles of language, strengthens student’s theological knowledge, and provides broad exposure to different avenues of thought. Expose yourself to further academic studies, or prepare for a doctoral degree with Biola University today.