How It Works

Is this a school, institution, college, or program that I need to apply for or register for?

Ariel Online Courses are offered through “Ariel School of Messianic Jewish Studies – Online Division” but the online courses are open for anyone to take. There is no formal application or registration required. We will be offering an option for students to pursue a degree-level program and that is discussed in the next item below.

Can I earn a Certificate or a Degree?

Ariel Online Courses currently offers several courses. Once we have completed producing 20 online courses we will begin to offer Associate’s Degree Level Certificates in “Messianic Jewish Studies.” We plan on adding three to five new high-quality, scholarly, in-depth Ariel Online Courses per year. So, the bottomline is that we cannot provide completion certificates or degree level certificates until we have completed producing our first 20 courses.

Our goal, if the Lord graciously enables us, is to eventually have 60 online courses and thus be able to offer Bachelor’s and Master’s Level degrees in Messianic Jewish Studies. It will take several years to produce this number of high quality courses, so please keep this mind.

We invite you to begin now, and grow with us!

Are the courses I take online with Ariel transferable to other institutions?

Ariel Online Courses are not transferable to other schools or educational institutions and we are not currently seeking accreditation. This may occur at some point in the future but we are building from the ground-up and our primary focus now is to offer the finest online Messianic Jewish program of studies in the world.

Can I simply take courses for personal enrichment and decide later about pursing a certificate or degree-level option?

Yes, most certainly! Courses can be taken simply “a la carte” for personal enrichment or you can choose to work towards a degree-level certificate program. If you are certain that you do not want course credit or a degree then you can just audit our courses. What does it mean to audit a course? It means: (a) that you have the option to by-pass (skip over) any or all of the exams and assignments, (b) that you have full access to the course but you are not given credit for the course and we do not maintain student records or grades for those who audit courses. Many of our students audit courses and love that option, and (c) the cost to audit a course is less, only $49 (plus books).

If you take a course for credit then you must complete all readings, all assignments and pass all exams. The cost is $99 per courses and we do maintain your student records and keep track of each online course that you have taken from us, including all of your exam scores. Therefore, each course you successfully complete can be counted towards a degree-level certificate in Messianic Jewish Studies.

However, please keep in mind that all the courses required in the first level, Associates Degree-Level in Messianic Jewish Studies, will not be all be available for another 3-5 years.

What degree-level academic program options will be offered how many courses do I need to complete to reach these levels?

We will be offering three online educational options as more and more courses are produced, completed, and made available:

(1) Associate’s Degree-Level in Messianic Jewish Studies

Completion of 20 courses @ 3 credits per course = 60 total credit hours
Associate’s Degree-Level courses denoted by one asterisk* are required core courses regardless of the degree-level you are seeking* (see section below that lists all courses planned)

(2) Bachelor’s Degree-Level in Messianic Jewish Studies

Associate’s Degree-Level in Messianic Jewish Studies from Ariel (60 credit hours), plus 20 additional courses @ 3 credits each = 120 total credit hours required
Bachelor’s Degree-Level required courses are denoted by two asterisks**

(3) Master’s Degree-Level in Messianic Jewish Studies

Bachelor’s Degree-Level in Messianic Jewish Studies from Ariel (120 credit hours), plus 20 additional courses @ 3 credits each = 180 total credit hours required
Master’s Degree-Level required courses are denoted by three asterisks ***

What courses are currently available?

The first nine courses produced by Ariel Online Courses are:

The Life of Yeshua from a Messianic Jewish Perspective, Part One (BHD 101)
The Life of Yeshua from a Messianic Jewish Perspective, Part Two (BHD 102)
The Life of Yeshua from a Messianic Jewish Perspective, Part Three (BHD 103)
The Life of Yeshua from a Messianic Jewish Perspective, Part Four (BHD 104)
The Book of Genesis: Part One (TNK 101)
The Book of Genesis: Part Two (TNK 102)
Eschatology and The Book of Revelation, Part One (MJT 302)
A Dispensational Israelology (MJT 107)
The Messianic Jewish Epistles, Part One: The Book of Hebrews (BHD 106)

What courses are planned in the years ahead?

We have planned an extensive list of courses that will be produced and made available to our students in the years to come, many are already available. The courses are categorized by academic discipline, of which there are seven. Under each of the seven academic disciplines are the planned courses, sequenced by level. Core courses, required of all degree levels are followed by one asterisk*

1. Hermeneutics, The Biblical Covenants, and Dispensationalism (HCD)

Introduction to Bible Study Methods and Biblical Hermeneutics (HCD 101)*
The Biblical Covenants and Dispensationalism (HCD 102)*
Advanced Topics in Biblical Hermeneutics (HCD 201)**
Advanced Topics in Dispensationalism (HCD 202)***
Rabbinic Literature and Rabbinic Interpretation: Past and Present (HCD 203)***

2. Jewish and Messianic Jewish History, Culture and Practice (JHC)

Introduction to Messianic Judaism: Historical, Liturgical, Foundational Beliefs, Contemporary Landscape (JHC 101)*
Introduction to Judaism (JHC 102)*
The Holy Days of Judaism and Messianic Judaism: Major and Minor (JHC 103)*
Survey of Jewish and Messianic Jewish History (JHC 104)*
The Holocaust (JHC 105)*
The History of the State of Israel (JHC 106)*
Apologetics, Evangelism, and Discipleship in Messianic Judaism (JHC 201)**

3. The B’rit HaDashah: New Testament Biblical Studies

The Life of Yeshua from a Messianic Jewish Perspective, Part One: From Birth to the Public Proclamation of His Messiahship (BHD 101)*
The Life of Yeshua from a Messianic Jewish Perspective, Part Two: From the Beginning of His Public Ministry to the National Rejection of His Messiahship and His Journey to Jerusalem in Preparation for the Feasts of Tabernacles. (BHD 102)*
The Life of Yeshua from a Messianic Jewish Perspective Part Three: The last six-month period of the life of Messiah, from the Feast of Tabernacles to the agony of Gethsemane. (BHD103)*
The Life of Yeshua from a Messianic Jewish Perspective, Part Four: From the Arrest, Trials, and Crucifixion to His Resurrection and Ascension. (BHD 104)*
The Book of Acts from a Messianic Jewish Perspective (BHD 105)*
The Messianic Jewish Epistles, Part One: The Book of Hebrews (BHD 106)*
The Messianic Jewish Epistles, Part Two: James, I & II Peter, and Jude (BHD 107)*
The Book of Romans (BHD 201)**
The Books of 1st and 2nd Corinthians (BHD 202)***
The Books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians (BHD 203)**
The Books of First and Second Thessalonians, First and Second Timothy, and Titus (BHD 204)**
The Books of Philemon, First, Second, and Third John (BDH 205)
The Book of Revelation is covered in our General Eschatology Course

4. The Tanakh: Old Testament Biblical Studies

The Book of Genesis: Part 1 (TNK 101)*
The Book of Genesis: Part 2 (TNK 102)*
The Book of Exodus (TNK 103)**
The Book of Leviticus (TNK 104)**
The Book of Numbers (TNK 105)***
The Book of Deuteronomy (TNK 106)**
The Books of Joshua (TNK 201)***
The Books of Judges and Ruth (TNK 202)
The Books of First and Second Samuel (TNK 203)**
The Books of First and Second Kings (TNK 204)**
The Books of First and Second Chronicles (TNK 205)***
The Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther (TNK 206)***
The Book of Job (TNK 301)***
The Book of Psalms (TNK 302)***
The Book of Proverbs (TNK 303)***
The Books of Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs (TNK 304)***
The Book of Isaiah (TNK 401)**
The Books of Jeremiah and Lamentations (TNK 402)**
The Book of Ezekiel (TNK 403)**
The Book of Daniel (TNK 404)**
The Books of Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah (TNK 501)***
The Books of Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (TNK 502)***
The Books of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi (TNK 503)***

5. Theological Studies

Introduction to Systematic Theology and Bibliology (MJT 101)*
Theology Proper & The Triunity (MJT 102)*
Christology (The Doctrine of the Messiah) (MJT 103)**
Pneumatology (MJT 104)**
Soteriology & Sanctification (MJT 105)**
Biblical Anthropology & Hamartiology (MJT 106)**
A Dispensational Israelology (MJT 107)*
The Israelology of Covenantalism (MJT 108)**
Angelology, Demonology, Satanology (MJT 202)**
Ecclessiology and Messianic Judaism (MJT 301)**
Eschatology and the Book of Revelation, Part One (MJT 302)**
Eschatology and the Book of Revelation, Part Two (MJT 303)**
Personal Eschatology: The Doctrine of the Future of the Soul (MJT 304)***
Biblical Nomology: The Sabbath, the Law of Moses and the Law of Messiah (MJT 305)*
Theodicy: Theological Implications of the Holocaust (MJT 306)**
Rabbinic Theologies (JMJT 203)***
Supercessionism: Past and Present (MJT 204)**

6. Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Biblical Hebrew: Level One (HEB 101)***
Biblical Hebrew: Level Two (HEB 201)***

7. Israel, Jerusalem, and the Temple

Israel Today: Social, Political, Geographical, and Religious Overview(IJT 301)***
The Tabernacle, the Temple, and Jerusalem: Past, Present and Future (IJT 302)***
Introduction to Biblical Archaeology in the Land of Israel (IJT 303)***

If I already have taken similar college level courses or degrees or have studied similar things through Ariel Ministries can I get credit or advanced standing for prior courses completed?

Ariel Online Courses are newly designed courses requiring completion of assigned readings, quizzes, and exams. Therefore, we do not grant advanced standing or accept transfer credits

How long do I have to complete a course? Are there time limits or refunds?

Students with Ariel Online Courses can take as long as they like to complete a course; there are no expiration dates or time limits. Once students purchase a course, they have life-long access to that course. This program was designed with an understanding that our students need freedom and flexibility to study what they want, WHEN they want, and wherever they are in the world (and in life). We do provide refunds if students are not satisfied but the refund requests must be made within 7 days of the original purchase date. Please contact us at Administrator@ArielCourses.com if you would like a refund (within 7 days of the course purchase date).

What is the format of the courses? In other words, how are lectures watched, quizzes or exams taken and graded, assignments handled, etc.?

All of our courses are organized around “Units” and within each “Unit” are a number of “Segments.” Each “Segment” is comprised seven components: (1) Learning Objectives, (2) Required Reading, (3) Video Lecture Presentation, (4) Optional Reading, (5) Study Questions, (6) Spiritual Growth: Implication and Application Assignments and (7) Unit Exams. There are no Final Exams because the Unit Exams are sufficiently comprehensive and challenging. Here are more details on these components.

1. Learning Objectives

The Right Start – Quality educators know that learning objectives should be the first item when planning a lesson. Therefore, we begin each Segment with learning objectives.

The Right Balance – Excellence in biblical education should impact the mind, the heart, the will, and actions of believers. Each segment seeks to encompasses one or more of the following domains of learning: cognitive (knowledge), affective (heart and emotions), volitional (will), and behavioral (daily life and actions). You will often see these types of learning objectives listed for our courses.

2. Required Reading

The Best Books – We are careful in selecting only the best textbooks for the required reading in our courses. Students are required to complete all required readings that are listed for each segment. Students can complete the reading before or after they listen to the video lecture presentation, but the reading must be completed before taking the Unit Quiz. Students will therefore need to purchase the required books for the courses. Most of the books can be purchased directly from Ariel Ministries.

3. Video Lecture Presentation

The Finest Production Quality – Sometimes recording lectures in live classes can be unprofessional so we opted to have all of our professors and instructors record their courses in closed-studio sessions. You will experience high quality video and audio in each lecture along with on-screen text and graphics that will keep you engaged and enjoying the lectures. The lectures are embedded right into each Segment so that all you need to do is click on in it!

The Finest Instructors and Professors – We at Ariel realize that we have the best Messianic Jewish Bible scholars in the world today, Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum. So, he will be teaching quite a number of the courses. Ariel is committed to selecting professors who are experts in their field of study, so you will be richly blessed as you experience several other gifted scholars as well.

4. Optional Reading

The Quest for Excellence – These are other resources that students can choose to study that add additional insight on the topics in the segment, they are not required or assigned readings. We want to foster life-long learning habits so that long after the course ends, the students continue to grow in knowledge, faith, and virtue.

5. Study Questions

The Focus on Genuine Learning – It is one thing to teach and another thing to learn. To help ensure that students have learned and understand the material, we’ve included a section in our curriculum with Study Questions. The answers to the study questions are not collected or turned-in but are helpful tools for the student to assess their learning and will also help students prepare for the Unit Quiz.

6. Spiritual Growth: Implications and Applications

Applying Biblical Truth – To help ensure that students take some time to reflect upon, process, and internalize the biblical truths they have encountered in each section, we have this important feature in the curriculum. It is vital for students to prayerfully reflect on any observations, interpretations, implications, or applications that have particularly impacted them in each segment. Assignments may include Bible memory passages, journal assignments, prayer suggestions, related application activities. Any Bible memory passages assigned will be in the Unit Exams. None of the journals or written assignments are turned in or graded. All evaluations for our courses are based on Unit Exams.

7. Unit Exams

Our Assessment Tools Help to Motivate – Assessment is an important element in education so we have incorporated Unit Exams into the curriculum. These are comprised of multiple choice, true-false types of questions that students must answer. The exams are taken online, built directly into the course, and are instantly and automatically graded. To reduce student stress all the exams are open-book/open-note so students can consult the textbook if needed.

Do I need to take notes during video lecture presentations? If so, are course outlines or student workbooks provided?

Your professor will describe his policy on note-taking on each course syllabus. For the first three courses taught by Dr. Fruchtenbaum, students are not required to take notes because the teaching content comes out of the course textbooks. Dr. Fruchtenbaum will elaborate on points in the textbook in his lecture presentations. Because the first three courses offered are based directly on Ariel textbooks, there is no need for student outlines or workbooks.

How do I get started?

Getting started is as easy as 1-2-3!
1. Select any course(s) that you want to begin taking.
2. Purchase the course(s)
3. Log-in, read the course syllabus, order any required textbooks, and begin.