| 70 | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Years to Complete | |
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Modular Learn more
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The Ph.D. in Historical and Theological Studies is designed to qualify graduates to teach in both disciplines. Students will be supervised by a faculty member in either Church History or Systematic Theology and write their dissertation in that field.
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.
| 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 Historical and Theological Studies: 70
Students in the Historical and Theological Studies concentration will take seminars and colloquium on topics in Church History studies such as: Ancient Christianity, the Reformation, and Global Christianity. In the area of Systematic Theology, students will take seminars on topics such as: Christology & Atonement, Pneumatology and Ecclesiology, and Modern Theology.
| 84490 The Ancient Church and its Legacy | This course will offer a study of the ancient church and its overall theological contribution to Christian doctrine, especially as it relates to Trinitarian doctrine, ecclesiology, the Bible, mission, and the theology of history. |
| 84491 The Legacy of the Reformation and Puritanism | This seminar assesses the historiographical and theological issues of the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century and sixteenth and seventeenth-century English Puritanism. |
| 84492 Baptist History | This seminar is a detailed study of interdenominational controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention during the period from 1979 to 2000. Special attention will be given to the role of biblical inerrancy, gender roles, social and cultural factors, personal and political dynamics, and Baptist identity in the controversy. |
| 84400 Christianity and Culture in America | This seminar is a focused consideration of American Christian nationalism, a sub-field of American church history. It will study the many intricacies of the concept of Christian nationalism, as it has been expressed over the past four centuries since the Puritans established the New England colonies. |
| 85010 Theology Proper and Providence | This seminar presents an intensive study of critical issues and major movements in understanding the doctrine of God, giving special attention to the historical positions and contemporary proposals. It will also focus on the Reformed understanding of the doctrine of providence, as articulated in the Reformed confessions of faith of the 16th and 17th centuries. |
| 85020 Christology and Atonement | This seminar presents an intensive study of critical issues and major movements in understanding the person of Christ, paying special attention to historical positions and contemporary proposals in light of Scripture’s teaching on Christ and the incarnation. It will also analyze various theories of the atonement, both ancient and contemporary. |
| 85030 Pneumatology and Ecclesiology | This course leads students through a biblical, historical, and systematic study of the person, intratrinitarian relations, and work of the Holy Spirit, as well as an exploration of the nature of the church and the practice of ministry in and through the church. |
| 85040 Modern Theology | This course studies the dominant theological movements from the nineteenth century to today and their impact on evangelical theology. Special focus will be given to the Enlightenment, Classical Liberal Theology, Neo-Orthodoxy, Process Theology, Liberation Theology, Post-Liberalism, Theological Interpretation of Scripture, and recent theological developments in the twenty-first century. |
Research Interests
Southern Baptists
Research Interests
History of Religious Nationalism
Research Interests
Ecclesiology, Pneumatology, Theological Anthropology
No. The Ph.D. in Historical and Theological Studies 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.
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 consdiration 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
Entrance Exam and Interview
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 Prerequisites
To be considered for admission in our Ph.D. program we require the following for applications:
*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
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.
Prospective doctoral students are invited to visit Southern Seminary.
Doctoral Visit Opportunities$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.
