Certificate of Graduate Studies (CGS)

The Certificate of Graduate Studies in Bible and Theology is a graduate-level certificate that offers an introduction to seminary coursework in biblical and theological studies.

Contact Information

Dallas Location:

1st Floor of Walvoord Student Center

Dallas Office Hours:

Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm (Central)

General Advising Number:

214-887-5080

General Advising Email:

advising@dts.edu

Degree Overview

Total Hours	30 credit hours
Degree Time Limit	10 years from first DTS class
Real-time courses	0 courses required (Fully Online degree)

• 0-9 Hours • 10-20 Hours • 21-30 Hours

• Degree Worksheets • After Graduation

0-9 Credit Hours

Refer to the degree plan for your entering catalog as an overall guide.
Register for core courses: BE5101, ST5101, and PM5101.
Familiarize yourself with the Academic Success Resource Center for various tools and links to assist with your courses.
Meet with an academic advisor to discuss:
- What led you to DTS
- What elective courses might be helpful to take
- The possibility of taking a hybrid and/or intensive in upcoming semesters at a DTS location

10-20- Credit Hours

How do I select open electives?

What areas of knowledge do you wish to acquire?
What ministry skills do you need to develop or sharpen?
Do I plan to reclassify to a Master’s degree? Will this elective course count toward the degree requirements?
The DTS course schedule page will provide you with a list of courses available.
- If you click “info” next to a course, you can see the course description and option to download the syllabus to understand what the course involves.
Academic advisors are available to help you identify possible electives specifically geared to equip you in your present and future ministry.

What if I want to complete a Master’s degree?

Each Master’s degree is designed to equip students to serve in various types of ministry. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to discuss previous DTS courses and their new degree. Master’s degrees must be completed within 6-8 years from the first DTS class. Degree time limit and possible real-time course requirements will be a key consideration. If students anticipate pursuing a Master’s degree, then it is recommended they reclassify early in the CGS to determine degree completion in the Master’s degree.

Students who wish to change degrees must submit a reclassification request form. This request is reviewed through the Admissions Committee and additional items may be required during this review process.

21-30 Credit Hours

What is required for Graduation?

Students must submit the Admission to Candidacy Application (including all references) by the deadline listed for each semester on the Graduation Information page.
Confirm the Graduation Date listed in the system corresponds to your plan with your Academic Advisor and/or Registrar’s Office. (Update graduation date here)
Review/Confirm upcoming semester plans with an academic advisor to ensure all degree requirements are met.
Students should indicate their plans to participate in spring Commencement using the Commencement Ceremony Participation application during the available dates and after being approved for Candidacy.

Degree Worksheets

The following are degree worksheets specific to students who entered the CGS/CBTS or reclassified to the Certificate in the following academic years. If students have questions about their specific degree requirements or degree audit, students should contact their academic advisor.

After Graduation

Certificate students will not have access to their DTS Logos resources apart from purchasing them through Logos. Master’s level students are able to keep their current Logos Bible Software package.

DTS graduates have three options for further training:

Self-paced learning through Online Videos – All online courses and lectures are available for graduates to access through the Alumni portal. No application is required.
Alumni nondegree – Graduates may take additional DTS courses as a nondegree student, either for audit or credit at a reduced rate. If students take courses for Alumni nondegree credit and want to use the course(s) toward another Master’s degree, then the student will need to pay the difference of tuition between the Alumni rate and current tuition rate.
Pursue an additional DTS degree – Graduates may return to DTS to pursue a second Master’s degree. Graduates must reapply through Admissions and previous DTS credits are reevaluated and remaining requirements are evaluated upon readmission.