Master of Arts in Biblical History and Geography
One of the only master’s programs in the world focused on understanding the physical setting of the land of the Bible. Through classroom and on-site lectures, BHG students learn how rocks, soils, and land formations influenced life and thought in the biblical world.
Biblical History and Geography
About the Program
What You Will Learn
The M.A. in Biblical History and Geography is designed to provide our graduates with a core understanding of the historical and physical realities of the land of the Bible, while allowing the flexibility necessary for individual students to pursue their own interests within the field. By learning how to identify and analyze relevant points of data, our students become proficient in “reading” the land, becoming better exegetes of ancient texts in the process.
By carefully choosing elective courses, our students are able to plan programs of study that emphasize history, geography, and archaeology during either the Old or New Testament periods.
Unique Opportunities at JUC
Students enrolled in the M.A. in Biblical History and Geography have ample opportunity to draw upon the rich resources of Jerusalem and the lands of the Bible. By studying under leading Jewish and Christian scholars in Jerusalem, our students are exposed to the current flow of scholarly discussions and keep abreast of recent discoveries in the field.
Numerous field studies provide our students with a first-hand understanding of the geographical and historical issues that underlie the ancient—and modern—histories of the lands of the Bible. By participating in archaeological surveys and excavations, students are exposed to ancient material cultures and the methodology of fieldwork.
Students enrolled in the degree program may also become involved with local cultures such as the Palestinian, Bedouin, and Druze communities, which in significant ways continue to reflect the lifestyles, ways of thinking, interrelationships, and ethnic movements of biblical times.
Students in this program will refer to the geographical resources created by Biblical Backgrounds throughout their studies.
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Follow the link below to submit your application to JUC.
The Details
Course Requirements*
The M.A. degree in Biblical History and Geography includes 48 semester credit hours of course work as outlined below. The degree is designed to be completed within two calendar years, although students choosing to pursue the thesis track are granted an additional year. Students with a documented learning disability or for whom English is not their native language are expected to finish the degree in three years if taking the non-thesis track, or four years if pursuing the thesis track. Up to 24 credits of approved graduate-level courses may be transferred in from another degree program if approved by the JUC Academic Committee. At least half of the program must be completed in-residence.
*The course requirements below are updated and will go into effect for students matriculating in the Fall of 2025. Students who have matriculated prior to Fall 2025 are bound by the previous requirements and should contact the Registrar with questions.
Archaeology: 6 hours
- Biblical Archaeology I (3) OR Archaeology of Jerusalem I (3)
- Biblical Archaeology II (3) OR Archaeology of Jerusalem II (3)
Geography: 13 hours
- Physical Settings of the Bible (4)
- Regional Explorations in Historical Geography (3)
- Sources from Mesopotamia Related to the Land of Israel (3)
- Seminar in Historical Geography (3)
History and Culture: 9 hours
- History of Ancient Israel (3)
- History of the Second Temple Period (3)
- Cultural Background of the Bible (3)
Biblical Hebrew Language: 11 hours
- Biblical Hebrew I (4)
- Biblical Hebrew II (4)
- Readings in Biblical Hebrew Narrative (3) OR Readings in Historical and Geographical Texts (3)
Electives: 3 hours
- Jesus and His Jewish World (3)
- The Book of Revelation and the Seven Cities of the Apocalypse (3)
- The Life and Times of Paul (3)
- Ancient Egypt and the Bible (3)
- Biblical Jerusalem and Its Explorations (Online) (3)
- Post-Biblical Hebrew: Second Temple Period (3)
- Readings in Poetic Texts (3)
- Comparative Semitics (3)
- Northwest Semitic Dialects (3)
- Intertestamental Literature (3)
- The Parables of Jesus and Rabbinic Meshalim (3)
- Text Studies in Midrash, Mishnah, and Gemara: The Shared Heritage of Rabbinic Judaism and Early Christianity (3)
- Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (3)
- Guided Research in Archaeology (3)
- Guided Research in History (3)
- Guided Research in Historical Geography (3)
Thesis-track degree: 6 hours
Non-Thesis-track degree: 6 additional hours of elective courses
Bible Content Examinations
- Old Testament Bible Content Examination
- New Testament Bible Content Examination
Comprehensive - Integrative Examinations
- Biblical History and Geography Examination
- Biblical Hebrew Examination
Proficiency Examination in Modern Hebrew or Arabic (optional)
Total Credit Hours: 48
Thesis Track
M.A. students may choose to write a thesis as part of their degree program. Once a topic of interest is chosen, the student will work with two faculty members to develop a thesis proposal, then research and write the thesis. The process of writing a thesis not only allows the student to engage a topic in depth, but also to learn methods of research and writing that allow the student to pursue further academic work.
Sample Thesis Titles
The Alliance of Jehoshaphat of Judah and Ahab of Israel: A Geopolitical Analysis
The Fortification System in the Land of Israel in the Iron Age IIA
Exploring the Continuity Between the Pharisees and the Tanaaim
2 Chron. 11:5b-10a: A Case Study in the Application of the Disciplines of Historical Geography
A Study of Late Hellenistic and Early Roman Glass in Jerusalem from Excavated Sites: Understanding Local Production and the Economic Status of the Population from the Time of the Hasmoneans to Hadrian
The 'Black' Juglets in Iron Age I Palestine: A Collation of Finds and an Analysis of Typology, Chronology, Technology, and Distribution
How Much Does It Cost?
Studying at JUC is affordable. Learn about the program costs and our financial aid options.
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