1. Degree Requirements

To earn the B.R.A. in Biblical Studies, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours. The curriculum is divided as follows:

• Core Religious Foundation (60 Credits): Focused on Old and New Testament literature, Mar Thoma ecclesiastical history, and the St. Thomas Christian heritage.

• Biblical Languages & Tools (30 Credits): Introductory studies in Syriac, Greek, or Malayalam as they relate to scriptural translation and liturgical use.

• Electives & Heritage Studies (27 Credits): Specialized courses in Biblical Archaeology, Indian Aesthetics, and Christian Ethics.

• Senior Capstone Thesis (3 Credits): A final research project connecting biblical doctrine to the cultural preservation of the Kerala diaspora.

2. Transfer Credit Policy

Malayalam University recognizes the prior learning of our students. We offer a generous transfer policy, particularly for those who have engaged in advanced religious studies.

• Standard Transfer: Students may transfer up to 90 credits from accredited or recognized religious undergraduate institutions.

• Graduate-Level Transfers (Advanced Standing): If a student has previously acquired credits from a graduate-level degree (such as a Master of Theological Studies or a Graduate Diploma), they may apply a maximum of 30 graduate credits toward this Bachelor’s degree.

• Note: Graduate credits applied to the B.R.A. must be relevant to the core biblical or theological requirements.

• Residency Requirement: A minimum of 30 credits must be completed directly through Malayalam University to be eligible for graduation.

3. Course Load & Enrollment Limits

To ensure academic excellence and spiritual reflection, the university regulates the number of courses a student may take simultaneously.

• Standard Semester Load: 12 to 15 credit hours (4 to 5 courses).

• Maximum Course Participation: A student may participate in a maximum of 18 credit hours (6 courses) per semester.

• Overload Policy: Students with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher may petition the Academic Dean to take up to 21 credits in exceptional circumstances.

• Audit Limits: Students may "Audit" (participate without credit) up to 2 additional courses per semester beyond their credit-bearing load, provided they pay the Audit Rate.

4. Program Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Articulate the development of the Biblical Canon from an Eastern Christian perspective.

2. Identify the historical intersections between the Biblical narrative and the arrival of St. Thomas in Kerala in 52 AD.

3. Demonstrate proficiency in interpreting sacred texts for teaching and parish leadership within the Mar Thoma community.

5. Legal Disclosure

Degrees granted by Malayalam University are religious in nature and are designed to prepare students for religious vocations or ecclesiastical service. In accordance with Florida Law, these degrees are not designed for use in secular employment or for transfer to secular, state-accredited institutions without independent evaluation by the receiving school.

B.R.A. in Biblical Studies: 4-Year Academic Roadmap

Total Credits Required: 120 | Standard Load: 15 Credits per Semester

Year 1: Foundations of Faith & Heritage

Focus: Establishing a baseline in scripture and the history of the St. Thomas Christians.

Semester 1 (15 Credits)

• BIBL 101: Introduction to Biblical Literature (3)

• HIST 110: History of the Biblical Canon (3)

• MAL 101: Elementary Malayalam I (Heritage Language) (3)

• STC 101: The Arrival of St. Thomas: 52 AD to the 4th Century (3)

• LIFE 101: Life Skills: Time Management & Spiritual Discipline (3)

Semester 2 (15 Credits)

• BIBL 102: Old Testament Survey: The Torah & Prophets (3)

• ARCH 120: Biblical Archaeology & Material Culture (3)

• MAL 102: Elementary Malayalam II (3)

• STC 102: The Persian Connection: East Syrian Liturgical Roots (3)

• COMM 105: Homiletics: Introduction to Religious Speaking (3)

Year 2: Intermediate Analysis & Language

Focus: Deepening scriptural analysis and understanding the evolution of the Nasrani identity.

Semester 3 (15 Credits)

• BIBL 260: The Synoptic Problem: Matthew, Mark, and Luke (3)

• THEO 201: Introduction to Trinitarian Theology (3)

• HIST 220: The Coonan Cross Oath & Post-Portuguese History (3)

• SYR 201: Basic Syriac for Liturgical Use (3)

• LIFE 205: Conflict Resolution in Faith Communities (3)

Semester 4 (15 Credits)

• BIBL 270: Pauline Epistles & the Early Church (3)

• ETH 250: Christian Ethics in a Globalized World (3)

• PAB 511: Indian Aesthetics: Introduction to Bharatanatyam (3)

• SYR 202: Intermediate Syriac (3)

• SOC 210: The Kerala Diaspora: Sociology of Religion (3)

Year 3: Advanced Theological Studies

Focus: Specialized topics and preparing for religious leadership.

Semester 5 (15 Credits)

• BIBL 350: The Documentary Hypothesis: A Critique (3)

• THEO 310: Eastern vs. Western Ecclesiology (3)

• HIST 330: The Reformation in the Mar Thoma Church (3)

• LIFE 301: Leadership Skills for Parish Youth (3)

• ELECTIVE: Ancient Near Eastern Geography (3)

Semester 6 (15 Credits)

• BIBL 380: Johannine Literature: Gospel, Letters, & Revelation (3)

• LIT 320: Comparative Liturgy: The Mar Thoma Taksa (3)

• PAB 541: Rasa Theory & Spiritual Expression (3)

• LIFE 305: Negotiation & Decision Making for Religious Orgs (3)

• ELECTIVE: History of Christian Missions in Asia (3)

Year 4: Synthesis & Research

Focus: Completion of the capstone and preparation for the graduate level.

Semester 7 (15 Credits)

• BIBL 410: Advanced Hermeneutics: Interpreting for Today (3)

• THEO 450: Contemporary Issues in Indian Theology (3)

• LIFE 410: Parenting & Family Ministry in the Diaspora (3)

• RES 401: Research Methodology in Religious Studies (3)

• ELECTIVE: Digital Etiquette & Media Literacy for Clergy (3)

Semester 8 (15 Credits)

• CAP 499: Senior Research Capstone: The Future of Nasrani Heritage (6) Double Credit

• THEO 480: Apologetics: Defending the 2,000-Year Tradition (3)

• ELECTIVE: Advanced Malayalam Literature (3)

• ELECTIVE: Global Ecumenical Movements (3)

Summary of Student Progression

• Max Courses per Semester: 6 (18 Credits)

• Max Transfer from Graduate Level: 30 Credits (Can waive 10 courses, typically allowing a student to start at Year 2).

• Audit Opportunities: Students are encouraged to audit one Performing Arts (PAB) course per year to maintain cultural connection.

Degree Requirements 

1. Total Credit Hour Requirements

As per Florida educational standards for religious institutions, the undergraduate degree requires 120 semester credit hours.

2. Mix-and-Match: Level Alignment

Malayalam University allows students to "mix and match" courses across levels to ensure a rich, intergenerational learning environment.

• Undergraduate (100–400 Level): Standard degree-seeking students.

• Graduate Bridge (500 Level): High-performing seniors (GPA 3.0+) may take up to 12 credits of 500-level graduate courses. These credits "double-count" toward both the B.R.A. and a future Master’s degree.

• Cross-Listing: 400-level undergraduate seminars are often cross-listed with 500-level graduate seminars. Undergraduate students are graded on foundational mastery, while graduate students in the same room must complete additional research papers.

3. Seminars & Internships

To graduate, students must move beyond the classroom into Practical Ministry and Academic Research.

• Senior Research Seminar (3 Credits): A 400-level intensive where students produce a 30-page thesis on a specific aspect of Mar Thoma history or biblical exegesis.

• Heritage Internship (6 Credits): Students must complete 240 hours of service in a registered parish or cultural organization.

• Examples: Assisting in Sunday School, documenting oral histories of elders in the Kerala diaspora, or serving in liturgical ministry.

4. Extracurricular & Community Service Credits

Malayalam University recognizes that "Nasrani" heritage is lived, not just studied. Students can acquire up to 3 credits through non-classroom activities.

Credit Ratio: 40 hours of approved service = 1 credit hour.

• Approved Activities:

• Cultural Preservation: Organizing an "Agape Meal" (Nercha) or traditional heritage festival.

• Community Service: Volunteering for Mar Thoma church-led social work or disaster relief (e.g., Kerala flood relief initiatives).

• Youth Mentorship: Leading 20+ hours of Mar Thoma Youth League (VBS) activities.

• Accreditation Guideline: To count for credit, each service activity must be accompanied by a 2-page Reflection Paper linking the service to a biblical or theological principle taught in the core curriculum.

5. Accreditation & Academic Integrity

While operating under a Florida Religious Exemption, we maintain "Quality Control" through:

• Academic Residency: A minimum of 30 credits must be earned at Malayalam University (cannot be transferred).

• Transfer Limits: A maximum of 90 credits can be transferred from other institutions.

• Grade Standards: Core heritage courses require a minimum grade of "C" to count toward the degree.