We offer a Master of Biblical Studies (MBS) and a Master of Theological Studies (MTS). The MBS is a 32-hour program, and the MTS is a 50-hour program. Learn more here…

Students may enroll in the master’s program who meet one of the following criteria:
(1) Hold an approved Bachelor’s degree in Bible or ministry.
(2) Have a minor in Bible or ministry, or equivalent training from a preaching school (minimum of 18 credit hours/ 6 courses).
(3) Have graduated from a preaching school.
(4) Have at least five years of ministry experience and pass the Standardized Bible Content Test.

Students who have no formal Bible education training must take fifteen (15) hours of leveling work.
(1) Up to twelve (12) credit hours may be earned by passing the Standardized Bible Content Test administered by the Institute.
(2) Six (6) credit hours may be earned by completing the Fundamentals of the Faith course (#4420) through World Video Bible School (WVBS).*
(3) If needed, an additional three (3) courses (3 credit hours each) may be completed through WVBS to fulfill the remaining requirements.

 After a prospective student submits a completed application, along with the $25 application fee, and is accepted into the program, the office will provide guidance regarding any required leveling work and applicable transfer or exam credit.

Our program is very affordable. There is a $25 (non-refundable) application fee. Once accepted, classes are only $75 per credit hour. Our 3-credit-hour classes are $225 each.

Our Master’s degrees are not nationally accredited.  Our program is approved by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.  However, there are a number of colleges and universities that accept credit hours from this master’s degree program.   We have an agreement with Amridge University (www.amridgeuniversity.edu) in which 39 credit hours will transfer into their Master of Divinity program.  Our master’s degree is a ministry degree that demonstrates that the student has achieved a high level of academic training.

It is required that you take the Introduction to Graduate Studies (#500) course first. This course has a video that you need to watch and take notes on. This video will explain a number of important items regarding the entire Master’s program.

Each In-Ministry course has a 90-day time limit, beginning the day the student receives the syllabus. The 90-day limit for Blitz Week courses starts at the end of the Blitz Week unless the professor stipulates otherwise.

If you have accredited master's-level hours, submit an approved transcript to the Dean of Graduate Studies. He will determine what credits will transfer in (a maximum of 12 hours).

We welcome students from a variety of academic backgrounds and view cross-disciplinary study as beneficial for the growth and effectiveness of the church. Applicants without a bachelor’s degree in Bible, a minor in Bible, or formal preaching school training may be asked to complete leveling coursework before beginning the program. Please refer to the admission requirements for additional details.

The Bear Valley Bible Institute is a work of the Bear Valley church of Christ. Our goal is to deepen the faith within the body of Christ for the work of ministry. Applicants who are not members of the church of Christ are welcome to apply. We desire to help establish and strengthen their faith in the gospel as taught in the New Testament.
We are committed to transparency in what we believe and teach. You can review our doctrinal statement here: https://www.wetrainpreachers.com/doctrinal-statement. While our teaching reflects these convictions, we do not require students to take oaths, sign statements of faith, or affirm human creeds.

Yes. We are grateful for and encouraged by women who enroll in and complete the program. Scripture presents women as faithful and essential servants in the work of the church (Luke 10:38–42; Acts 18:24–26; Romans 16:1–2; Titus 2:3–5). Women who labor in the pattern of virtue of Mary, Martha, Phoebe, and Dorcas are worthy of honor (Proverbs 31:30).
In keeping with Scripture, this program does not seek to prepare women for roles designated for men in the church, such as elder (shepherd or pastor), deacon, or preacher (1 Timothy 2:11–12; 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9). For further clarification, please see our doctrinal statement: https://www.wetrainpreachers.com/doctrinal-statement.

Once a student has been accepted into the program, he may then access the entire curriculum for review at the Curriculum page. When he is ready to begin a class he may register for that class on the Course Registration page. IMPORTANT NOTE: The first course that must be taken is the Introduction to Graduate Studies course.

The application fee is non-refundable. All tuition funds are refundable for the first thirty (30) days of the 90-day limit for the course. After thirty (30) days, the tuition for a course becomes non-refundable. 

Yes. There is a 7-year time limit for the MBS program. The MTS program has a 10-year limit. Extensions to these time limits may be granted in extreme circumstances when you submit a written request for extension that describes the reasons for the request. The administration will review the request and determine whether to grant the extension. The time limit begins when the student is accepted into the program.

New courses and additional faculty are currently in development.

After careful evaluation and in response to the needs of students in ministry, in-ministry courses will transition to an in-person format. The final date to enroll in in-ministry courses in their current format will be December 1, 2027.

Classes will be offered in two formats – a synchronous option and an asynchronous option. The synchronous option will afford the student the opportunity to take the class live and in person. The asynchronous option will allow students to work through the curriculum by watching the recordings. Students must enroll by the end of the day on the first day the course is offered. Both options will require that the student complete the assigned work in 90 days.

Courses will be offered in two formats:
(1) A synchronous option, allowing students to attend live, in-person classes.
(2) An asynchronous option, allowing students to complete coursework through recorded lectures. Enrollment must be completed by the end of the first day of the course. Both formats require all coursework to be finished within 90 days.

The Bear Valley Master’s program has long provided exceptional value in higher education among the churches of Christ. Students benefit from the insight and instruction of experienced preachers and scholars. Tuition has remained unchanged for a decade; beginning January 1, 2027, tuition will increase to $125 per credit hour.

Non-degree-seeking students may audit courses at $50 per credit hour.