Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Studies

Program Snapshot

70	Credit Hours
4	Years to Complete
Online Learn more

Multidisciplinary studies paired with maximum flexibility.

The Ph.D. in Christian Studies consists of seminars in both Practical Theology and Biblical and Theological studies, preparing students to faithfully serve at the highest levels in the church or the academy.

Online format – relocation to Louisville not required.

This Ph.D. concentration allows students to pursue the highest levels of research and writing regardless of where they are located.

Rigorous, confessional study to serve the church and the academy.

PhD Student Stage
Course Number	Description	Credit Hours
81020	Graduate Research Seminar	2
81260	Foundations for Theological Studies	2
	Prospectus Development 1-4	4
	Scholarship in Context	4
	8 Seminars	32
	Readings in Christian Studies	4
	Research Language	2
	Empirical Research or	2
	Ethnographic Research
	Comprehensive Exams	2
Total		54

PhD Candidate Stage
Course Number	Description	Credit Hours
81910	Dissertation Writing & Defense	16
Total		16

Total Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Studies: 70

Seminars

Incoming Ph.D. students are matched with a supervisor from our world-class faculty who shares their research interests. Seminars in this concentration include:

Biblical and Theological Studies
- Old Testament Exposition and Teaching
- New Testament Exposition and Teaching
- Historical Theology
- Biblical Theology
Practical Theology
- Contemporary Ethical Issues
- Contemporary Theological Issues
- Discipleship in Great Commission Contexts
- Leadership and Christian Ministry

Faculty teaching seminars include:

Robert L. Plummer

Collin and Evelyn Aikman Professor of Biblical Studies

Adam Howell

Associate Professor of Old Testament Interpretation

Mitchell L. Chase

Associate Professor of Biblical Studies

Gregory A. Wills

Professor of Church History

Research Interests

Southern Baptists
Jonathan Edwards
American Evangelicalism

Andrew T. Walker

Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Public Theology

Timothy Paul Jones

C. Edwin Gheens Professor of Christian Family Ministry

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Ph.D. in Christian Studies is offered fully online and does not require students to travel to the main campus of Southern Seminary.

Students will gather for synchronous classes via videoconference. Each course will require at least 10 synchronous online meetings through the semester, in addition to significant independent reading and research.

Applicants should have (or be on track to graduate with) a Master of Arts (minimum 60 credit hours) or a Master of Divinity (minimum 72 hours) with at least 12 hours in biblical studies and at least 12 hours in systematic theology and/or church history.

If you do not have one of these degrees but you have completed theological coursework at the master’s level, you may submit a doctoral equivalency evaluation to the admissions office to find out if you qualify for SBTS PhD programs.*

A minimum master’s level cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale is expected.

For a complete listing of doctoral admissions requirements, see the “Admissions & Cost” tab.

*International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES approved organization for both admissions consideration and for equivalency requests.

As a multidisciplinary program, students may pursue a variety of topics in their dissertation.*

Students will work alongside the Research Doctoral Office and their eventual supervisor to determine a final topic.

*Students who enter the PhD in Christian Studies holding a Master of Arts degree will be limited to writing in areas of practical theology.

Virtual meetings for seminars will take place during the traditional semester schedule (and not during modular seminar weeks in May and December).

During the application process you will indicate your preferred supervisor and be asked to describe your research interest but both can be subject to change until you are in year 2 of the program.

During your faculty interview and during on-boarding to the program (if accepted) you will have the opportunity to discuss and receive advising on both your supervisor and your research topic.

Your final research area(s) will be determined in close consultation with and approval by your supervisor, this generally occurs during the coursework stage of your program.

Admissions for the Ph.D. program consists of:

Initial Application Submission

All required materials must be submitted to the Office of Admissions by the appropriate deadline (see “Admissions” tab for more information).

Entrance Exam and Interview

Students who are believed to have a reasonable possibility of acceptance are invited to participate in entrance exams and faculty interviews.
Exams and interviews are held remotely via Zoom (travel to campus not required) once each month.
For more information on Entrance Exams, click here.

The Ph.D. program is structured for 48 months (4 years). Students who take longer than four years will be assessed an additional $2,000 fee for each semester of extension beyond the four-year limit.

During the PhD student stage (coursework stage), students will complete eight seminars, usually five seminars in their major and three seminars that may be completed in any area.

Some concentrations, such as biblical studies, historical and theological studies, and philosophy and theological studies, will require four seminars in each of two separate areas. All students will take the four RDS general education courses and four installments of Prospectus Development.

Admissions

Admissions Prerequisites

To be considered for admission in our Ph.D. program we require the following for applications:

An M.Div. or its equivalent (72 credit hours minimum in specific disciplines) for most concentrations (exceptions are listed below):
- For the PhD concentrations in Christian Apologetics, Christian Philosophy, Christian Ethics, Ethics and Public Theology, and Philosophy and Theological Studies, the 72 hours may consist of an M.A. or equivalent in the field (60 hours minimum in specific disciplines), with the addition of 12 credit hours in biblical languages
- For the PhD concentrations in Christian Worship, Biblical Counseling and Practical Theology, Leadership, Missions, Evangelism, and World Religions, an M.A. or equivalent in the field (60 hours minimum in specific disciplines) may be acceptable.
- For the PhD concentration in Christian Studies (online), a Master of Arts (minimum 60 credit hours) with at least 12 hours in biblical studies and at least 12 hours in systematic theology and/or church history is acceptable.
If you do not have the required hours for your program of interest but you do have some masters-level divinity credit, you may submit a doctoral equivalency evaluation to the admissions office to find out if you qualify for SBTS PhD programs.
- Students requiring additional coursework may attend Southern Seminary as a “Doctoral Leveling Student” online or on-campus.
A minimum master’s level cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale is expected.
International transcripts will require an official evaluation from a NACES approved organization (World Evaluation Services is preferred).

*For more information about our equivalency standards, leveling options, or to request an equivalency review based on your master’s level work, please email admissions@sbts.edu.

Application Requirements

All applicants must receive a reference from the local church where they are a member. Family members may not complete this reference. If you are the pastor of your church, please select another church leader (associate pastor, elder, deacon, etc.) to complete the church recommendation. Recommendation forms are automatically emailed to references via our online application.
Two additional academic recommendations. We suggest that a professor or a business acquaintance who can speak to academic performance complete the 2 additional recommendations required for doctoral students.
Transcription from the educational institution or institutions that conferred any required degrees should be submitted to the Admissions Office. Contact the registrar or academic records office of your previous institution(s). They may e-mail the transcripts (directly or via 3rd party such as Parchment) to admissions@sbts.edu or mail copies to our physical address. Transcripts must come directly from schools either electronically or in sealed/unopened envelopes.
A graduate level research paper in the same field to which the applicant is applying must be submitted along with the application. You may upload this research paper directly onto the application.
$40 application fee – paid after application submission.

Application Deadlines

All application materials must be received by:

September 1 – Spring matriculation

March 1 – Fall matriculation

Entrance Exams and Interviews

Entrance Exams are exams designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their comprehension of the subject area in which they are applying and sometimes in related fields. Students will be notified soon after submitting all application components as to whether they are invited to participate in the entrance exam and interview.

Exams and interviews are held on one Friday each month and are administered remotely (travel to campus not required). Click here to learn more.

Ready to learn more?

Prospective doctoral students are invited to visit Southern Seminary.

Doctoral Visit Opportunities

Program Cost

$1,000 down payment, and remaining balance due equally over 48 months.*

	Total Cost	Monthly Payment
Total cost for SBC students	$27,670	$555.62
Total cost for non-SBC students	$39,140	$794.58

*Program tuition shown is for the 2024-2025 academic year. Additional fees are subject to the current fee schedule.

Financial Aid

Southern Seminary does not offer fully-funded scholarships or grants for the PhD program. Limited financial aid may be available for students that meet certain criteria. Click here to view our financial aid page to learn more.

Questions?

Contact Admissions

Phone: (502) 897-4200

Text: (502) 305-3554

Email: admissions@sbts.edu

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