Sunset International Bible Institute is a recognized higher-education institution. We have been issued a letter of authorization to confer degrees by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, according to the provisions of the Texas Education Code, Sub-chapter G, Chapter 61, Title 3, Section 7.5 (g). This authorizes us to legally grant religious degrees under the laws of the State of Texas.

Sunset International Bible Institute Graduate School (SIBIGS) has an articulation agreement with Amridge University in Montgomery, Alabama, regarding the transfer of SIBIGS credit into the Turner School of Theology accredited degree programs, including the M.A., M.Div., D.Min., and Ph.D. of Biblical Studies degrees. SIBI also has transfer arrangements with other colleges affiliated with the Churches of Christ.

Please read the information concerning Sunset’s graduate programs carefully and commit your decision to prayer. If you have completed a bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized college or university, we welcome you to apply for our master’s programs. Preaching school graduates who hold a certificate of graduation are encouraged to contact us for leveling coursework to receive their bachelor’s degree and be admitted into the MBS program. If you believe that you are qualified to enter the program, you are encouraged to complete the master's degree application.

Applicants for Sunset Graduate School’s Doctoral programs must have completed a master’s degree in a field related to biblical studies.

For further information, please contact Kerry Williams, Dean of Graduate Studies.

KERRY WILLIAMS
Dean of Graduate Studies

MASTER’S DEGREES AND GRADUATE CERTIFICATES

SIBI is a single-purpose professional institute of ministry. Our degrees reflect our uniqueness. Ministry in the Lord’s church is the primary focus, the consuming passion, and the “one thing” to which we are committed. Sunset International Bible Institute has been widely recognized among Churches of Christ as a quality Bible and ministry training school since its beginning in 1962. The fruit of more than five decades of training preachers, teachers, and missionaries for effective Christian ministry speaks well of the quality of a biblical degree from Sunset.

The faculty and administration of the graduate program at SIBI are composed of men who have decades of experience in ministry and ministry training. In most cases, they hold or are in the final stages of completing terminal degrees from accredited institutions and are widely recognized as scholars in their disciplines. More importantly, they possess the spiritual qualities that we seek to model in our lives and develop in the lives and ministries of our students. They are men of Christian character and Biblical soundness. They do not just teach ministry, they are involved in it; they do not simply talk about the Bible, they live its precepts. This depth of both knowledge and experience provides our graduate school with a unique blend of scholarship and practical application. Because our faculty members are Christian leaders, they can help to prepare others to become better leaders.

MASTER OF BIBLICAL STUDIES IN CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRY

The Master of Biblical Studies (MBS) in Congregational Ministry degree is a 36-hour program consisting of three foundational courses (9 hours credit), four required core courses (12 hours credit), four elective courses (12 hours credit), and a capstone research seminar (3 hours credit). The entire course of study is offered online and can be completed from anywhere with access to the internet. The coursework is intended to be done in a ministry setting, allowing students to put their studies to immediate practical use. Students can therefore complete a master’s degree without having to leave their present ministry.

Several hybrid short-course versions of our regular courses will be offered in various locations around the United States every year. These two-day intensives allow students to experience a classroom environment and complete the remainder of the course online. Although not required, Sunset strongly encourages students to take advantage of as many short courses as possible, as there is no substitute for in-person classroom instruction.

The coursework normally requires a minimum of two years to complete. A student may take up to two courses per trimester. There are three trimesters per year. SIBIGS semesters begin in January, May, and September. Trimesters are 14 weeks in length. A maximum of six years is allowed for completion of the MBS degree.

DEGREE PLAN:

  • BIB501 – Introduction to Graduate Studies
    BIB512 – Theology of Biblical Leadership
    BIB508 – Graduate Readings in Theology – Christian Spirituality

  • MIN502 – Preaching in the 21st Century
    MIN532 – Practical Ministry in the Congregational Context
    (Two of the following courses)
    COU503 – Theology of Christian Counseling
    COU570 – Conflict Resolution in the Church
    MIN515 – Advanced Homiletics
    and/or
    MIN533 – Advanced Church Growth

  • 4 classes (12 hours) in any combination of other courses

  • MIN600 – Research Project

MASTER OF BIBLICAL STUDIES IN YOUTH AND FAMILY

The Master of Biblical Studies (MBS) in Youth and Family is a 36-hour program consisting of three foundational courses (9 hours credit), six required core courses (18 hours credit), two elective courses (6 hours credit), and a capstone research seminar (3 hours credit).

DEGREE PLAN:

  • BIB501 – Introduction to Graduate Studies
    BIB512 – Theology of Biblical Leadership
    BIB508 – Graduate Readings in Theology – Christian Spirituality

  • MIN532 – Practical Ministry in the Congregational Context
    COU503 – Theology of Christian Counseling
    COU570 – Conflict Resolution in the Church
    MIN513 – Family Ministry Concepts
    MIN531 – Advanced Youth Ministry
    MIN519 – Christian Education

  • 2 classes (6 hours) in any combination of other courses

  • MIN600 – Research Project

MASTER OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP

The Master of Spiritual Leadership (MSL) is a 36-hour program consisting of three foundational courses (9 hours credit), five required core courses (15 hours credit), three elective courses (9 hours credit), and a capstone research seminar (3 hours credit).

DEGREE PLAN:

  • BIB501 – Introduction to Graduate Studies
    BIB512 – Theology of Biblical Leadership
    BIB508 – Graduate Readings in Theology – Christian Spirituality

  • MIN532 – Practical Ministry in the Congregational Context
    COU570 – Conflict Resolution in the Church
    LDR575 – Leadership: Creating Vision
    LDR576 – Leadership: Mediating Change in Adverse Conditions
    LDR577 – Leadership: Succession Planning

  • 3 classes (9 hours) in any combination of other courses

  • MIN600 – Research Project

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN LEADERSHIP

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN CHURCH HISTORY

DEGREE PLAN:

  • HIS520 – Restoration History: Stone & Campbell
    HIS535 – History of Churches of Christ in the United States
    HIS565 – Social World of Christianity: Greece and Rome
    LDR577 – Leadership: Succession Planning

DEGREE PLAN:

  • BIB512 – Theology of Biblical Leadership
    COU570 – Conflict Resolution in the Church
    LDR576 – Leadership: Mediating Change in Adverse Contexts
    LDR577 – Leadership: Succession Planning

DOCTOR OF BIBLICAL STUDIES

The Doctor of Biblical Studies (DBS) degree is a 39-hour program consisting of 13 courses for 39 doctoral hours of credit. The entire course of study is offered online and can be completed from anywhere with access to the internet. The coursework is intended to be done in a ministry setting, allowing students to put their studies to immediate practical use. Students can therefore complete a doctoral degree without having to leave their present ministry. Most courses have a Zoom component, simulating an in-class experience.

Occasional hybrid short-course versions of our regular courses will be offered in various locations around the United States every year. These two-day intensives allow students to experience a classroom environment and complete the remainder of the course online. Although not required, Sunset strongly encourages students to take advantage of as many short courses as possible, as there is no substitute for in-person classroom instruction.

The coursework normally requires a minimum of two and a half years to complete. A student may take up to two courses per trimester. There are three trimesters per year. SIBIGS semesters begin in January, May, and September. Trimesters are 14 weeks in length. A maximum of six years is allowed for completion of the DBS degree.

DEGREE PLAN:

  • BIB701: The Gospels
    BIB702: Writings of Paul
    LDR703: Seminar in Leadership
    MIN704 Seminar in Counseling
    MIN705: Seminar in Preaching
    MIN706: Seminar in Evangelism & Missions
    BIB707: The Holy Spirit
    BIB708: Salvation Theology
    BIB709: Restoration Theology
    BIB710: Revelation
    BIB713: Individual Study in the Biblical Text
    BIB714: Individual Study in the Biblical Text
    (One of the following courses)
    MIN733: Advanced Church Growth
    (or)
    BIB715: Individual Study in the Biblical Text

DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY

The Doctor of Theology (THD) degree is a 48-hour program consisting of ten courses (30 credit hours) and 18 dissertation credit hours for 48 doctoral hours of credit. The entire course of study is offered online and can be completed from anywhere with access to the internet. The coursework is intended to be done in a ministry setting, allowing students to put their studies to immediate practical use. Students can therefore complete a doctoral degree without having to leave their present ministry. Most courses have a Zoom component, simulating an in-class experience.

Occasional hybrid short-course versions of our regular courses will be offered in various locations around the United States every year. These two-day intensives allow students to experience a classroom environment and complete the remainder of the course online. Although not required, Sunset strongly encourages students to take advantage of as many short courses as possible, as there is no substitute for in-person classroom instruction.

The Doctor of Theology program includes a dissertation requirement of a minimum of 18 credit hours. The coursework normally requires a minimum of four and a half years to complete. A student may take up to two courses per trimester while completing the required coursework, but may only register for one dissertation class (3 credit hours) per term after the initial coursework is complete. Students who complete the coursework section of the THD program (30 credit hours) will receive a Master of Theology Degree (ThM). During the dissertation phase, students must develop, submit, and pass a dissertation proposal before a three-professor panel under the direction of the student’s doctoral advisor. Once the proposal is approved, students may begin writing their dissertation under the supervision of their doctoral advisor. Once the doctoral advisor approves a dissertation, the student must defend the dissertation before a three-professor panel.

If a student requires more than six terms to complete a dissertation, the student can reenroll in BIB721. There is no limit to how many dissertation hours a student may complete, but all THD coursework (courses and a minimum of 18 dissertation hours) must be completed before the eight-year deadline.

There are three trimesters per year. SIBIGS semesters begin in January, May, and September. Trimesters are 14 weeks in length. A maximum of eight years is allowed for completion of the THD degree.

DEGREE PLAN:

  • BIB701: The Gospels
    LDR703: Seminar in Leadership
    MIN706: Seminar in Evangelism & Missions
    BIB708: Salvation Theology
    BIB709: Restoration Theology
    BIB710: Revelation
    BIB711: Old Testament Theology
    BIB712: New Testament Theology
    BIB713: Individual Study in the Biblical Text
    (One of the following courses)
    MIN733: Advanced Church Growth
    (or)
    BIB715: Individual Study in the Biblical Text
    BIB716: Dissertation 1
    BIB717: Dissertation 2
    BIB718: Dissertation 3
    BIB719: Dissertation 4
    BIB720: Dissertation 5
    BIB721: Dissertation 6

TUITION AND FEES

There is no admission fee to apply for SIBI’s graduate programs.

The course tuition rate for master’s degree programs is $75 per credit hour ($225 per course), and the tuition rate for Doctoral Degree programs is $125 per credit hour ($375 per course). Course tuition must be paid before a student can begin his/her studies. The SIBI business office manages all payments of tuition and fees. Pay online or contact the office at (806)788-3236 to arrange payments.

There are fees due in connection with graduation. The current graduation fee is $100, with possible additional fees due. Contact the Graduate Dean or the SIBI Finance Department prior to graduation for complete graduation fee information.

Students are responsible for all book costs and all expenses related to short courses.

GRADUATE STUDIES FACULTY/STAFF

GARY BRADLEY
Instructor

DAVID HENNIGER
Instructor

KIRT MARTIN
Instructor

DANIEL SMITH
Instructor

JAMES CHAISSON
Instructor

BOB TURNER
Instructor

KERRY WILLIAMS
Dean of Graduate Studies

RUDY WRAY
Instructor