Officials with Faulkner University and Bear Valley Bible Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will benefit graduates seeking to complete their master’s degree in Biblical Studies.
The agreement would allow Bear Valley alumni who graduated with their bachelor’s degree to apply to one of Faulkner University’s master’s programs in the Kearley Graduate School of Theology.
Traditionally, students who have done coursework at a preacher’s training school have had to complete an accredited bachelor’s degree before applying for a master’s degree. This new agreement would recognize the bachelor’s degree at Bear Valley Bible Institute and allow their alumni to apply directly to either the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies or the Master of Arts in Family Life Ministry.
Bear Valley is located in Denver, Colorado, and is a program of the Bear Valley Church of Christ. The school was founded in 1965 has been equipping men and women for the ministry of preaching, evangelism, and mission work. It offers a two-year preaching program, a Bible Lands Studies Program, and has a connection with Apologetics Press.
“The agreement is a recognition of the excellent work that Bear Valley does preparing its students and provides an opportunity for those students to go directly to admissions here for our graduate program provided they fulfill all other admission requirements,” said Dr. Todd Brenneman, Dean of the V.P. Black College of Biblical Studies/Kearley Graduate School of Theology.
Faulkner University President Mitch Henry and Denny Petrillo, President of Bear Valley Bible Institute, signed the agreement on October 24, 2023 to accept Bear Valley’s Bachelors of Biblical Studies degree as one of the requirements for admissions to Faulkner’s Bible graduate programs. Although unaccredited, Bear Valley’s 2-year degree is authorized by the state of Colorado. Faulkner Bible faculty have reviewed all the academic components and feel confident that it is of sufficient quality.
This agreement recognizes the work done by these students and provides an easier path to post-baccalaureate education for their alumni.
“I appreciate your willingness to entertain this possibility and for being trailblazers in this endeavor,” said Petrillo. “Today’s climate requires someone with academic credentials to have the kind of credibility that’s needed in ministry so I feel this creates a unique environment in which we’re partnering together to fulfill the overall mission of the church.”
To learn more about the V.P. Black College of Biblical Studies and the programs offered, visit https://www.faulkner.edu/academics/college-of-biblical-studies/
