Graduate Studies: Advancing Biblical Scholarship and Ministry Sunset International Bible Institute is recognized as a higher-education institution authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to confer religious degrees under state law.
Through the Sunset Graduate School, students can pursue advanced ministry and biblical studies with confidence. SIBIGS maintains an articulation agreement with Amridge University’s Turner School of Theology in Montgomery, Alabama, allowing credits to be transferred into accredited degree programs, such as the M.A., M.Div., D.Min., and Ph.D. in Biblical Studies. Additional transfer arrangements exist with other colleges affiliated with the Churches of Christ.
If you hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, you are welcome to apply for our master’s programs. Preaching school graduates with a certificate of graduation may contact us about leveling coursework to receive a bachelor’s degree and admission into the MBS program. Applicants for doctoral studies must have completed a master’s degree in a field related to biblical studies.
We encourage you to prayerfully consider this opportunity to deepen your scholarship and ministry impact. For further information, please contact Kerry Williams, Dean of Graduate Studies.
KERRY WILLIAMS
Dean of Graduate Studies
MASTER’S DEGREES AND GRADUATE CERTIFICATES
A Single Purpose: Ministry Training at the Highest Level
SIBI is a professional institute of ministry with one consuming passion — preparing leaders for service in the Lord’s church. Since 1962, Sunset has been recognized among Churches of Christ as a trusted school for quality Bible and ministry training. More than five decades of equipping preachers, teachers, and missionaries testify to the strength of a biblical degree from Sunset.
Faculty Who Lead by Example
The graduate program is guided by faculty and administrators with decades of ministry experience. Many hold, or are completing, terminal degrees from accredited institutions and are respected scholars in their fields. Even more importantly, they embody the Christian character and biblical soundness we seek to instill in our students.
Our faculty don’t just teach ministry — they live it. Their blend of scholarship and practical application provides a unique training environment where students are shaped not only by knowledge but by the example of leaders who serve faithfully. This depth of experience equips graduates to become stronger leaders in the Kingdom.
MASTER OF BIBLICAL STUDIES IN CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRY
The MBS in Congregational Ministry is a fully online graduate program designed for leaders serving in the local church. Coursework is completed while actively engaged in ministry, so students can apply what they learn right away.
Students may also join optional two-day hybrid intensives offered across the U.S., combining classroom interaction with online study.
The program typically takes two years, with three trimesters per year (January, May, September). Students may take up to two courses per trimester, with a maximum of six years allowed for completion.
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 MBS in Youth and Family is a fully online graduate program designed to prepare leaders to serve families and young people in the local church. Coursework is structured to be completed while actively engaged in ministry, allowing students to apply what they learn immediately in real-world settings.
This 36-hour program includes foundational, core, and elective courses, along with a capstone research seminar. Students typically complete the degree in two years, with flexible pacing that allows up to two courses per trimester. With three trimesters offered each year (January, May, September), students can balance study with ongoing ministry responsibilities. A maximum of six years is allowed for completion.
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 MSL is a fully online graduate program designed to develop strong, Christ-centered leaders for the church and community. Coursework is structured to be completed while actively serving in ministry, allowing students to apply lessons immediately in real-world settings.
This 36-hour program includes foundational, core, and elective courses, along with a capstone research seminar. Students typically complete the degree in two years, with flexible pacing that allows up to two courses per trimester. With three trimesters offered each year (January, May, September), students can balance study with ongoing ministry responsibilities. A maximum of six years is allowed for completion.
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 (DBS)
The DBS is a fully online doctoral program designed to prepare advanced leaders and scholars for ministry. Coursework is completed while actively serving, allowing students to apply their studies immediately in real-world settings. Most courses include a Zoom component, providing interactive experiences that simulate the classroom environment.
Students may also join optional two-day hybrid intensives offered across the U.S. each year. These short courses combine in-person learning with online completion, offering valuable fellowship and classroom interaction.
The program requires 39 credit hours and normally takes a minimum of two and a half years to complete. Students may take up to two courses per trimester, with three trimesters offered annually (January, May, September). Each trimester is 14 weeks long, and students have up to six years to finish the 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 (ThD)
The ThD is a fully online doctoral program designed to prepare advanced scholars and leaders for ministry. Coursework is completed while actively serving, allowing students to apply their studies immediately in real-world settings. Most courses include a Zoom component, providing interactive experiences that simulate the classroom environment.
Students may also join optional two-day hybrid intensives offered across the U.S. each year. These short courses combine in-person learning with online completion, offering valuable fellowship and classroom interaction.
The program requires 48 credit hours, including coursework and a dissertation. Students normally complete the degree in a minimum of four and a half years, with up to two courses per trimester during the coursework phase. After completing 30 credit hours of coursework, students earn a Master of Theology (ThM) and then proceed to the dissertation phase.
During the dissertation phase, students develop and defend a proposal before a three-professor panel under the guidance of a doctoral advisor. Once approved, they write and defend their dissertation before the same panel. A minimum of 18 dissertation credit hours is required, and students may only register for one dissertation class per term.
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