Sound Doctrine Institute in partnership with Oral Roberts University Bible Institute has established the Bible Institute Certificate and Diploma courses. We offer affordable, flexible online programs in theological studies. Complete your program wherever you are asynchronously without stepping foot on campus.
- Short-Term Theological Certificates:
Short-Term Theological Certificates provides shorter training for church workers. These 19-credit-hour certificates also provide options for Bible Institute students who need a short-term incentive to aim for or who, for one reason or another cannot complete a 33-credit- hour program in Diploma courses.
- Christian Workers Certificate (for short-term training as a Christian worker in the local church or ministry)
- Christian Education Certificate (for those in church Christian education programs such as Sunday school, children’s church, youth ministry, cell group ministry, etc.)
- Christian Caregiving Certificate (for training lay counselors in the local church)
- Christian Mission Certificate (for training in evangelism, church planting, and missions)
- Biblical Studies Certificate (for students who want to focus on Biblical studies)
- General Theological Studies Certificate (for students who do not want a specialized certificate, but rather, a variety of general theological studies)
11. Diploma of Theological Studies
The Diploma of Theological Studies is a 33-credit hour program designed for Christians who desire intensive training in Biblical studies, theology, and practical ministries.
Course Curriculum 2025-2026 Academic Year
Sound Doctrine Institute has established the Bible Institute Certificate and Diploma with the following course curriculum:
I. Short-Term Theological Certificates
Short-Term Theological Certificates provides shorter training for church workers than the 33 -credit-hour Diploma of Theological Studies and yet use the same curriculum. These 19-credit-hour certificates also provide options for Bible Institute students who need a short-term incentive to aim for or who, for one reason or another cannot complete 33-credit- hour program. Once students have completed the 19-credit Short-Term Theological Certificate, they will receive a certificate and can continue on toward the Diploma of Theological Studies. We are offering one general and five specialized certificates with required courses and electives in each. Each certificate requires a 1-credit-hour Ministry Practicum course to provide hands-on practical ministry training experience. The certificates available are as follows:
- Christian Workers Certificate (for short-term training as a Christian worker in the local church or ministry)
- Christian Education Certificate (for those in church Christian education programs such as Sunday school, children’s church, youth ministry, cell group ministry, etc.)
- Christian Caregiving Certificate (for training lay counselors in the local church)
- Christian Mission Certificate (for training in evangelism, church planting, and missions)
- Biblical Studies Certificate (for students who want to focus on Biblical studies)
- General Theological Studies Certificate (for students who do not want a specialized certificate, but rather, a variety of general theological studies)
II. Diploma of Theological Studies
The Diploma of Theological Studies is designed for Christians who desire intensive training in Biblical studies, theology, and practical ministries. This 33credit-hour approach to ministry training is especially attractive to pastors and lay persons in that the training occurs as a part of the church’s own Bible Institute and is tailored to involve the laity in the ministries of the local church. A total of 3 credit hours of Ministry Practicum is required to obtain the Diploma of Theological Studies.
A. Christian Workers Certificate
- Required Core (Biblical studies, theological studies, and practical ministry):
THEO-DBIB 110 Old Testament Survey
THEO-DBIB 120 New Testament Survey
THEO-DPRM 333 Ministry and Leadership Development
THEO-DPRM 320 Ministry Practicum
THEO-DTHE 230 Christian Faith and Ministry
- Electives (Choose 6 hours):
THEO-DBIB 362 Life of Christ
THEO-DBIB 400 Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
THEO-DPRM 301 Introduction to Christian Caregiving
THEO-DPRM 305 Teaching the Bible
THEO-DPRM 317 Principles of Biblical Counseling
THEO-DPRM 340 Sermon Preparation
THEO-DPRM 430 Evangelism
THEO-DPRM 461 Prayer
B. Christian Education Certificate
- Required Core:
THEO-DBIB 110 Old Testament Survey
THEO-DBIB 120 New Testament Survey
THEO-DPRM 305 Teaching the Bible
THEO-DPRM 312 Faith and Human Development
THEO-DPRM 320 Ministry Practicum
- Electives (Choose 6 hours):
| THEO-DPRM 300 | History and Philosophy of Christian Education | |
| THEO-DPRM 301 | Introduction to Christian Caregiving | |
| THEO-DPRM 304 | Educational Ministries of the Church | |
| THEO-DPRM 333 | Ministry and Leadership Development | |
| THEO-DPRM 402 | Discipleship and Small Groups | |
| THEO-DPRM 454 | Youth Ministry | |
| THEO-DPRM 455 | Adult Ministry | |
| THEO-DPRM 456 | Children’s Ministry | |
C. Christian Caregiving Certificate
- Required Core:
THEO-DPRM 301 Introduction to Christian Caregiving
THEO-DPRM 312 Faith and Human Development
THEO-DPRM 317 Principles of Biblical Counseling
THEO-DPRM 321 Christian Approaches to Counseling
THEO-DPRM 320 Ministry Practicum
- Electives (Choose 6 hours):
THEO-DPRM 405 Crisis Intervention
THEO-DPRM 418 Marriage and Family
THEO-DPRM 422 Group Dynamics and Counseling
THEO-DPRM 429 Introduction to Codependency Counseling
THEO-DPRM 449 Spiritual Issues in Substance Abuse
THEO-DPRM 474 Premarital Counseling
D. Christian Mission Certificate
- Required Core:
THEO-DPRM 320 Ministry/Missions Practicum
THEO-DTHE 303 Major World Religions
THEO-DPRM 325 Introduction to Christian Missions
THEO-DPRM 430 Evangelism
THEO-DTHE 230 Christian Faith and Ministry
- Electives (Choose 6 hours):
| THEO-DRPM 404 | Church Growth and Planting | |
| THEO-DTHE 304 | Contemporary Religious Cults | |
| THEO-DTHE 399 | Signs and Wonders I | |
| THEO-DTHE 410 | Theology & Practice of Spiritual Warfare |
E. Biblical Studies Certificate
- Required Core:
THEO-DBIB 110 Old Testament Survey
THEO-DBIB 120 New Testament Survey
THEO-DBIB 400 Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
THEO-DBIB 362 Life of Christ
THEO-DPRM 320 Ministry Practicum
- Electives (Choose 6 hours):
THEO-DBIB 332 Old Testament Historical Books
THEO-DBIB 363 End-Time Events (Biblical Eschatology)
THEO-DBIB 364 Life and Teachings of Paul
THEO-DBIB 374 Romans: Your Path to Victory
THEO-DBIB 376 Hebrews and General Epistles
THEO-DBIB 401 Israel Study Tour
THEO-DBIB 421 Pentateuch
THEO-DBIB 424 Hebrew Prophets
THEO-DBIB 437 Poetical Literature
THEO-DBIB 455 Luke/Acts
F. General Theological Studies Certificate
- Required Core:
THEO-DPRM 320 Ministry Practicum
- Electives (Choose 18 hours):
Choose at least 1 course (preferably 2) from each area of concentration.
a. Biblical Studies
THEO-DBIB 110 Old Testament Survey
THEO-DBIB 120 New Testament Survey
THEO-DBIB 332 Old Testament Historical Books
THEO-DBIB 362 Life of Christ
THEO-DBIB 363 End-Time Events (Biblical Eschatology)
THEO-DBIB 364 Life and Teachings of Paul
THEO-DBIB 374 Romans: Your Path to Victory
THEO-DBIB 376 Hebrews and General Epistles
THEO-DBIB 400 Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
THEO-DBIB 401 Israel Study Tour
THEO-DBIB 421 Pentateuch
THEO-DBIB 424 Hebrew Prophets
THEO-DBIB 437 Poetical Literature
THEO-DBIB 455 Luke/Acts
b. Theological and Historical Studies
THEO-DTHE 101 Holy Spirit in the Now
THEO-DTHE 230 Christian Faith and Ministry
THEO-DTHE 303 Major World Religions
THEO-DTHE 304 Contemporary Religious Cults
THEO-DTHE 313 Bible Doctrines I
THEO-DTHE 314 Bible Doctrines II
THEO-DTHE 399 Signs and Wonders I
THEO-DTHE 410 Theology & Practice of Spiritual Warfare
THEO-DTHE 453 History of Christianity I
THEO-DTHE 454 History of Christianity II
THEO-DTHE 400 Signs and Wonders II (Principles and
Patterns of Divine Healing)
c. Practices of Ministry
| THEO-DPRM 300 | History and Philosophy of Christian Education | |
| THEO-DPRM 301 | Introduction to Christian Caregiving | |
| THEO-DPRM 304 | Educational Ministries of the Church | |
| THEO-DPRM 305 | Teaching the Bible | |
| THEO-DPRM 312 | Faith and Human Development | |
| THEO-DPRM 317 | Principles of Biblical Counseling | |
| THEO-DPRM 321 | Christian Approaches to Counseling | |
| THEO-DPRM 325 | Introduction to Christian Missions | |
| THEO-DPRM 333 | Ministry and Leadership Development | |
| THEO-DPRM 340 | Sermon Preparation | |
| THEO DPRM 397 | Ministry Internship | |
| THEO-DPRM 402 | Discipleship and Small Groups | |
| THEO-DPRM 405 | Crisis Intervention | |
| THEO-DPRM 418 | Marriage and Family | |
| THEO-DPRM 422 | Group Dynamics and Counseling | |
| THEO-DPRM 429 | Introduction to Codependency Counseling | |
| THEO-DPRM 449 | Spiritual Issues in Substance Abuse | |
| THEO-DPRM 454 | Youth Ministry | |
| THEO-DPRM 455 | Adult Ministry | |
| THEO-DPRM 456 | Children’s Ministry | |
| THEO-DPRM 460 | Church Administration | |
| THEO-DPRM 461 | Prayer | |
| THEO-DPRM 474 | Premarital Counseling | |
G. Diploma of Theological Studies:
Students who complete one of the 19 credit hour certificates can continue in the program and work towards obtaining the Diploma of Theological Studies by completing 33 credit hours. Students have the freedom to choose the rest of the courses they need in order to complete the Diploma. For a complete list of courses, see Appendix A, p. 8-9.
11. Grading Policy
90%-100% A
80%-89% B
70%-79% C
60%-69% D
Below 60% F
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