The New England Catholic Biblical School (NECBS) offers an accredited certificate program that offers multiple instructional options to study the Sacred Scriptures while maintaining a busy life. Members of the Biblical School may earn a Certificate in Biblical Studies which is completed on a part-time basis over four years. Meetings are held in-person at several locations, hybrid, or online. Members find a new depth to their faith life from this intensive study of both the Old and New Testaments in a small community environment with others who share the same desire to grow their understanding of the faith and deepen their relationship with God and the Church.
The curriculum, published by Paulist Press, follows the methods and norms established for the study of sacred texts as developed by contemporary scholarship and recognized worldwide by institutions such as the Society of Biblical Literature and the American Academy of Religion.
Through prayer, lectures, small-group discussions, weekly coursework, summer assignment, and semi-annual Scripture reflection days, our instructors will guide you through the Bible revealing the relevance of God’s living Word in your life and in the world today.
Years One to Four
Year One – Course: CBS 100 Old Testament Foundations: Genesis through Kings
The first year of study is a complete introduction to the foundational books of the Old Testament and their important historical, interpretive, and theological questions. Students will learn the interpretive and exegetical methods of encountering the biblical texts by engaging in a comprehensive study of the Pentateuch (Torah) and the Deuteronomic history or “historical” works of the Old Testament. Students read major portions of the assigned biblical books as well as secondary sources that provide historical, cultural, religious, and literary insights into the scriptural texts – including careful study of the most significant geography of biblical lands from the eighteenth century BC to the sixth century BC.
Tuition: $410\ $510 for credit
Year Two – Course: CBS 200 New Testament Foundations: Jesus and Discipleship
In the second year of study, students focus on the foundational texts of the New Testament. They begin by completing a book report on a scholarly monograph covering New Testament Christology, followed by a six-hour introduction to the literature of the New Testament and the historical and social-political context of the New Testament writings. Then, over the course of weekly classes, students obtain a firm grasp of the basic Christian story of God’s saving action through Jesus of Nazareth which continues in the community of disciples.
Tuition: $410\ $510 for credit
Year Three – Course: CBS 300 Old Testament: Exile and Restoration
In the third year of study, students continue building upon their understanding and use of the interpretive and exegetical methods of encountering the biblical texts learned in CBS 100 and 200, continuing with a comprehensive study of the Old Testament prophets, the People of God’s experience of the Babylonian Exile, and the post-exilic restoration of the land and faith of Israel. Beginning with an intensive six-hour study and a book report on a scholarly monograph on methods of reading the Old Testament, students go on to read major portions of assigned biblical books as well as secondary sources that provide historical, cultural, religious, and literary insights into the primary texts including careful study of the geography of biblical lands from the eighth century to the first century BC.
Tuition: $410\ $510 for credit
Year Four – Course: CBS 400 – Old and New Testaments Concluded: The Word in the Hellenistic World
In the fourth year of study, students build upon and develop their understanding and use of the interpretive and exegetical methods of encountering the biblical texts learned in prior years by engaging in comprehensive studies of biblical texts dating from the Hellenistic period. Beginning with an intensive six-hour study and a book report on a scholarly monograph covering Old Testament Wisdom Literature, students advance their ability to use the tools of biblical criticism and apply them to both Old and New Testament texts most notably the OT Wisdom Literature (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Wisdom, and Sirach), Hellenistic “Writings,” and the Gospel of Matthew.
Tuition: $410\ $510 for credit
Archdiocesan Certificate of Advanced Biblical Studies
Students who successfully complete all four years of the program will earn the Archdiocesan Certificate of Advanced Biblical Studies.
Saint Thomas Seminary (STS) Certificate in Biblical Studies
Students who enroll in the Saint Thomas Seminary (STS) Certificate in Biblical Studies program can earn up to eighteen undergraduate credits. STS students complete the core program plus additional coursework requirements.