Serve the church as a scholar while engaging the culture.
The Ph.D. in Christian Ethics and Public Theology offers courses in ethics, public theology, moral theory, natural law, and related areas.
Program Snapshot
| 70 | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Years to Complete | |
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Modular Learn more
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Modular format – relocation to Louisville not required.
Students will complete this program with trips to campus twice each year for doctoral seminars. Each seminar session will last two weeks. Travel to campus only required during the Ph.D. coursework stage.
Advance your education. Grow in your love for God.
| Course Number | Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 81020 | Graduate Research Seminar | 2 |
| 81260 | Foundations for Theological Studies | 2 |
| 81270 | Course Development and Design | 2 |
| 81300 | Higher Education | 2 |
| 8 Seminars | 32 | |
| 4 Colloquia | 4 | |
| Prospectus Development 1-4 | 4 | |
| 2 Research Languages | 4 | |
| Comprehensive Exams | 2 | |
| Total | 54 | |
| Course Number | Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 81910 | Dissertation Writing & Defense | 16 |
| Total | 16 | |
Total Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Ethics and Public Theology: 70
Seminars
Ethics and Public Theology students must take the following 5 seminars, along with three “flex” seminars:
| 85620 Contemporary Theological Ethics | A study of current developments in theological ethics focusing on selected contemporary Protestant and Roman Catholic ethicists and their methodologies. |
| 85810 Public Theology | A study of selected issues in public theology, analyzing the biblical, doctrinal, historical, and practical aspects of applying Christian theology and ethics in the public square. |
| 85700 Law, Religion, and Morality | |
| 85240 Moral Theory & Natural Law | A study of moral theories within the Christian tradition and non-Christian moral systems, studying the nature of morality and the biblical and theological foundations of moral theory. |
| 85740 Social Ethics in Biblical Perspective | A systematic and comparative analysis of the essential ingredients in an ethical method adequate for particular cases. Each participant will choose a particular ethical issue, compare ethical arguments concerning the issue, and seek to develop his or her own argument. |
Students can be supervised by the following faculty:
Bradley G. Green
Visiting Professor of Philosophy and Theology
Andrew T. Walker
Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Public Theology
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Ph.D. in Christian Ethics and Public Theology is available in a modular format, requiring two trips each academic year to Louisville for doctoral seminars. Students should plan for each campus session to last two weeks.
Winter seminars are typically held during the last week of November and the first week of December. Summer seminars are typically held during the second & third week of May each year.
Refer to the academic calendar for current year seminar dates.
Applicants should have (or be on track to graduate with) a Masters of Divinity or its equivalent (72 credit hours minimum in specific disciplines).
Alternativey, applicants may have 72 hours consisting 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
If you do not have an M.Div. but you do have a M.A. or other 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.*
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.
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 accepted and enrolled in 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, four colloquia, and four installments of Prospectus Development.
In addition, students must demonstrate proficiency in two research languages (for School of Theology concentrations) or research methodology courses (for Billy Graham School concentrations).
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 OpportunitiesProgram 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.
Faculty & Program Q&As
When you choose a seminary, you choose a faculty.
Learn how the faculty at Southern Seminary can equip you for a Lifetime of Faithfulness through one of our upcoming virtual Q&As.
