ICAS-Accredited Degree Program
Bachelor of Arts in Patristic Studies
B.A. credential
Meet the early Christian teachers whose writings, worship, and debates helped shape the beliefs the church still shares.
Bachelor of Arts in Patristic Studies: Your Grant Price
Applications are free. Eligible applicants receive their admission and Grant decision before any one-time program fee is requested.
Published tuition
$39,900.00
$469.00 after prior learning credit
$69
Bachelor's Degree
2026 Life in Christ Grant is active
Ministry Experience, Evaluated Against Academic Standards.
Documented prior learning may be considered when it aligns with program outcomes; every credit decision follows academic review.
Program Overview
About this program
Bachelor's study in Patristic Studies is structured for biblical foundations, theological understanding, and faithful service. The ICAS-accredited Patristic Studies program at Life Seminary is rooted in Scripture, attentive to the historic Christian tradition, and directed toward faithful service. Students study the writers, communities, liturgies, debates, and councils through which the early church articulated its confession of the triune God and Jesus Christ.
Program Qualifying Examination
Complete question-bank and assessment details for this degree
This degree carries exactly one examination. Each sitting draws a fresh subset from the dedicated Bachelor of Arts in Patristic Studies pathway bank, covering the published degree plan through biblical, theological, research, and ministry judgment.
70
Audited questions in this pathway bank
30
Questions drawn for each sitting
60 minutes
Time available for the examination
24 hours
Until another unlimited sitting opens
Bank identity and coverage
- Published bank title
- Patristic Studies - Bachelor Program Qualifying Examination
- Credential
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Patristic Studies
- Question construction
- 14 pathway subject-bank sources contribute 5 questions each, producing the complete 70-question bank.
How completion is reported
- The examination contributes 40% and assessed ministry experience contributes 60% to one weighted result.
- The reported result is no lower than 80%, matching the 80% degree pass mark.
- A repeat sitting draws a different subset and is included without a retake fee or attempt limit.
- There is no separate per-course examination, capstone paper, or dissertation defense.
Program Objectives
What you will achieve
Build biblical and theological foundations for faithful Christian life, witness, and service
Interpret Scripture responsibly within its literary, historical, canonical, and theological contexts
Articulate central Christian doctrines with biblical depth, historical awareness, and intellectual clarity
Integrate theological learning with spiritual formation, ethical wisdom, and ministry practice
Serve churches and communities with humility, discernment, cultural attentiveness, and Christian hope
Learning Outcomes
Skills and competencies you will develop
Interpret Scripture responsibly and apply Christian theology with wisdom in church and community contexts
Construct evidence-based theological arguments using Scripture and appropriate scholarly sources
Evaluate ministry questions through biblical, theological, historical, and contextual analysis
Communicate Christian truth clearly to academic, ecclesial, and public audiences
Design faithful ministry responses that connect Christian conviction with lived practice
Career Opportunities
Where this degree can take you
Historical theology instructor
Theological researcher
Christian writer
Ministry formation leader
Major Subject Areas
The fourteen pathway subjects represented in the published degree plan and question bank
Foundational and Major-Core Subjects
Eight field-defining subjects aligned with the selected degree level and its expected competencies.
Biblical Interpretation
Grammatical, literary, historical, canonical, and theological approaches to reading Scripture faithfully.
Old Testament Theology
The narrative, covenantal, prophetic, wisdom, and theological contours of the Old Testament.
New Testament Theology
The Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation in their historical setting and theological witness to Christ.
Christian Doctrine
The Trinity, creation, humanity, sin, Christ, salvation, the church, and Christian hope in historic theology.
Apostolic Fathers
Focused theological study of apostolic fathers through Scripture, historic Christian sources, critical reflection, and ministry application.
Apologists and the Second Century
Focused theological study of apologists and the second century through Scripture, historic Christian sources, critical reflection, and ministry application.
Trinitarian Controversies
Focused theological study of trinitarian controversies through Scripture, historic Christian sources, critical reflection, and ministry application.
Christological Councils
Focused theological study of christological councils through Scripture, historic Christian sources, critical reflection, and ministry application.
Specialization Subjects
Six advanced subjects extend the field into focused theological and ministry applications.
Augustine and the Latin West
Focused theological study of augustine and the latin west through Scripture, historic Christian sources, critical reflection, and ministry application.
Greek Fathers and Eastern Theology
Focused theological study of greek fathers and eastern theology through Scripture, historic Christian sources, critical reflection, and ministry application.
Early Christian Worship and Practice
Focused theological study of early christian worship and practice through Scripture, historic Christian sources, critical reflection, and ministry application.
Monasticism and Spirituality
Focused theological study of monasticism and spirituality through Scripture, historic Christian sources, critical reflection, and ministry application.
Spiritual Formation and Christian Vocation
Practices of prayer, discernment, holiness, community, and vocational faithfulness in Christian life and leadership.
Integrative Theology and Ministry
A guided synthesis of biblical, theological, historical, and practical learning around a substantial ministry question.
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply
- High school diploma or recognized equivalent from an accredited or approved institution
- Official secondary-school and any prior college transcripts
- Demonstrated readiness for college-level reading, writing, and theological study
- English-language proficiency documentation when prior education was not completed in English
Degree Completion Requirements
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts
Graduation Requirements
- Complete at least 120 semester credits in the approved degree plan
- Pass the single Program Qualifying Examination for the degree
- Satisfy every general-education, theological-foundation, major-core, specialization, and elective requirement group
- Have that examination weighed together with assessed ministry experience
- Earn all required credits through the verified course-credit ledger
Culminating Experience
Pass the Program Qualifying Examination, which demonstrates integrated biblical, theological, and ministry competence across the degree and is assessed together with documented ministry experience.
Credit Distribution
| Requirement Area | Credits | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | 30 | 10 courses. Seminary-wide preparation in written and oral communication, quantitative reasoning, natural and social science, humanities, and information literacy. |
| School Foundation | 18 | 6 courses. Shared disciplinary foundation for every program in the School of Theology and Ministry. |
| Major Core | 32 | 8 courses. Required disciplinary foundations and professional competencies of the major. |
| Major Specialization | 16 | 4 courses. Focused study aligned with the learner's academic and career goals. |
| Open Electives | 16 | 4 courses. Any bachelor-level major course from any school that is not already part of this degree plan. |
| Program Qualifying Examination | 8 | 1 course. The single program-wide examination for the degree, assessed together with documented ministry service. |
| Total Degree Credits | 120 | All requirements must be completed within the approved degree plan. |
Program Details
Program Length
Self-Paced
Self-Paced Learning
Total Credits
120 credit hours
Up to 90 Transfer Credits
Published Degree Plan
33 courses
Across 6 required curriculum groups
Format
Flexible Study
Assessment Format
One Program Qualifying Examination with Assessed Ministry Experience
Selected Degree
Bachelor
School
School of Theology and Ministry
Institutional Status
ICAS Accredited
Ready to Begin Your Accredited Patristic Studies Degree?
Compare program outcomes with your documented prior learning, then review the admission and assessment requirements for this pathway.