Earn a Graduate Certificate in Contexts of the Bible

Earn a graduate certificate through JUC's most flexible and affordable academic program, completed through a combination of online and in-residence courses. Study the land, languages, and people of the Bible through rigorous coursework and enriching in-the-field excursions that connect biblical texts to their historical, geographical, and cultural contexts.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN

CONTEXTS OF THE BIBLE

Explore JUC's most affordable and flexible certificate program.

The Graduate Certificate in Contexts of the Bible is designed for students who want to explore the historical, geographical, and cultural settings of Scripture without committing to a full degree program or an extended stay overseas. Through a flexible combination of online courses and immersive field-study experiences in Land of the Bible, you'll gain the tools to interpret the biblical text with greater depth, clarity, and confidence.

Study the physical landscapes of the Bible, walk ancient roads, examine archaeological discoveries, and engage with the historical events and cultures that formed the backdrop of Scripture. Whether you are a pastor, educator, ministry leader, lifelong learner, or graduate student preparing for further academic study, this certificate provides a rich, multidisciplinary foundation for understanding God's Word in its original context.

Choose the pathway that best fits your schedule and budget.

Complete the certificate through a blend of online coursework and international study experiences for as little as $24,000, or immerse yourself fully in the JUC experience through in-residence study in Jerusalem.

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How Much Does It Cost?

The Contexts of the Bible Graduate Certificate offers a flexible and immersive path of study, allowing you to tailor your learning experience around your goals and schedule. Students build their certificate by combining a variety of Jerusalem University College offerings—including on-site semester programs, short-term travel courses across the land of the Bible, and convenient online courses—creating a dynamic and personalized academic journey.

Whether you choose to study in Jerusalem, engage in field-based learning throughout the region, or participate from anywhere in the world, this program integrates rigorous academic content with real-world biblical context.

To explore program costs and plan your studies, browse the full range of options, including semester abroad programs, short-term travel courses, and online courses

Explore program costs

Semester Abroad Fees

Travel Course Fees

JUC Online Fees

What Scholarships are Available?

Between graduate program scholarships and travel course scholarships, you may be eligible for multiple scholarship options.

Learn about our scholarships

Sample Course Schedule

Flexible Coursework for Context of the Bible Certificate

Program requirements is a total of 24 credits. Below are the core requirements and additional electives required for the certificate program in Context of the Bible that highlights the in-residence and online courses. Courses taken above the Core Requirements in each category can count as electives.
Graduate students may request to substitute in other classes as they are available.

Core Requirements - 12 Credits

Choose a combination of classes in each category to fulfill that department's requirement. Courses taken above the minimum requirement will count as electives. 

Geography: 4 credits

  • Physical Settings of the Bible (4 credits) - In-Residence Only  OR
  • Historical & Geographical Settings of the Bible + Jordan Extension (4 credits) - Travel Course

History and Culture: Choose a minimum of 5 credits

  • Cultural Backgrounds of the Bible and field study in Jordan (3 credits) - In-Residence or Online
  • The Book of Revelation and field study in Turkey (3 credits) - In-Residence or Online
  • The Life and Times of Paul and field study in Greece (3 credits) - In-Residence or Online
  • Egypt and the Biblical World and field study in Egypt (3 credits) - In-Residence or Online
  • Jesus & His Times (2 credits) - Travel Course**
  • The Land of the Bible (2 credits) - Travel Course

Archaeology: Choose a minimum of 3 credits

  • Biblical Archaeology I (3 credits) - In-Residence or Online
  • Biblical Archaeology II (3 credits) - In-Residence or Online
  • Archaeology of Jerusalem I (3 credits) - In-Residence
  • Archaeology of Jerusalem II (3 credits) - In-Residence 

 

**This course can be combined with the June Historical & Geographical Settings of the Bible + Jordan Extension Travel Course.

Electives 

Choose from the courses below to fulfill the remaining credit requirements beyond courses taken in the Core Requirements list to fulfill 24 total credit hours required for completion of the certificate.

Archaeology:

  • Rotating Archaeology Elective (3 credits) - Online

Geography:

  • Sources from Mesopotamia related to the Land of Israel (3 credits) - In-Residence

History and Culture: 

  • History of Ancient Israel (3 credits) - In-Residence
  • Biblical Jerusalem and its Explorations (3 credits) - Online
  • History of the Second Temple Period (3 credits) - In Residence
  • Hermeneutics of Old Testament texts in Jewish Christian Tradition (3 credits) - In Residence
  • The Parables of Jesus and Rabbinic Meshalim (3 credits) - In-Residence or Online
  • Intertestamental Literature (3 credits) - In-Residence
  • Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (3 credits) - In-Residence
  • Text Studies in Midrash Mishnah and Gemara: The Shared Heritage of Rabbinic Judaism and Early Christianity (3 credits) - In Residence or Online
  • Jesus and His Jewish World (3 credits) - Online
  • History of the Church in the East (3 credits) - In-Residence
  • Historical and Social Settings of Modern Israel (3 credits) - In-Residence

Biblical Languages: 

  • Biblical Hebrew I (4 credits) - In-Residence or Online
  • Biblical Hebrew II (4 credits) - In-Residence or Online*
  • Rotating Hebrew Readings courses (2 or 3 credits)* - In-Residence or Online

Additional rotating elective courses will be offered. Students interested in counting one or more of these courses toward their certificate should email the Registrar. Not all courses are offered every semester. 

 

*Requires completion of prerequisites

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to receive credit for previously audited courses? Review the eligibility requirements and process.

Important Information

Students who have audited JUC courses can apply to change up to two courses (6 credits) to credit. To qualify, the audited course must have been taken in the previous three years. Students interested in doing so should fill out the Audit to Credit Request Form after being accepted into the Certificate program, pay the difference between the audit and current credit price, and complete all required readings and assignments by the agreed-upon deadline (typically 90 days out). Students will be required to participate in any associated field studies if they have not already done so. 

It will depend on when the course was taken. The cost will be the difference between the audit price paid and the current credit price. 

There is a three-year limit between the time of auditing the class and its being turned around to credit status. 

Provided there is space available, students can join any of the Jordan extensions associated with a JUC Travel Course or the Jordan Field study connected to a Semester Physical Settings of the Bible Course. Students can also petition the JUC Academic Committee to be exempt from this requirement. If approved, additional coursework may be required to ensure that learning goals are met.  

Graduate Certificate

Application and Registration Deadlines

Information about dates involving all our programs: application deadlines, when to leave campus, school holidays, and more. 

View Graduate Program Dates

Spring Application Deadline

Spring Deposit Deadline

Spring Classes Begin

Fall Application Deadline

Fall Deposit Deadline

Fall Classes Begin