The Biblical Studies Certificate provides a foundation on which to pursue a major in Jewish Studies or Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS); or to build a minor in Jewish Studies, CAMS, Religious Studies, Hebrew, or Greek.
- Only 12 credits required (4 courses; see below for options)
- Focuses on the academic study of both the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and New Testament
- Supplements other Penn State majors and minors, such as: Art History, Comparative Literature, English, Political Science, Anthropology, etc.
- Opens many opportunities for education abroad, archaeological excavation in Israel, independent study projects, and internships
- Financial aid available
More details on the certificate can be found in the following PDF: Biblical Studies Certificate
Foundation courses (6 credits, 2 courses):
- Intro to the Bible: Old Testament (JST 110/CAMS 110/RLST 110) AND
- Choice of: New Testament (JST 120/CAMS 120/RLST 120) or
- Jesus the Jew (JST 112/CAMS 121/RLST 121) or
- Early and Medieval Christianity (JST 124/CAMS 124/RLST 124)
Elective courses (at least 6 credits, 2 courses):
- Jewish and Christian Foundations (JST 4/CAMS 4/RLST 4)
- Lands of the Bible (JST 12/CAMS 12/RLST 12)
- Prophecy in the Bible and the Ancient Near East (JST 70/CAMS 70/RLST 70)
- Canaan and Israel in Antiquity (JST 102/CAMS 102/RLST 102/HIST 102)
- Bible as Literature (JST 104/ENGL 104)
- Early Judaism (JST 111/CAMS 111/RLST 111)
- Apocalypse and Beyond (JST 122/CAMS 122/RLST 122)
- History of God: Origins of Monotheism (JST 123/CAMS 123/RLST 123)
- Dead Sea Scrolls (JST 153/CAMS 153/RLST 153)
- Books of Bible: Readings and Interpretation (JST 425W/CAMS 425W/RLST 425W)
- Archaeology of the Near East (JST 420/CAMS 430/ANTH 420)
- Biblical language courses, such as Hebrew (e.g., JST/CAMS 151), Greek, Aramaic, and more!