Doctor of Educational Ministry in Biblical Theology - The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Program Snapshot

46	Credit Hours	12 Classes
3	Years to Complete
Modular Learn more

Train to understand and embrace the interpretive perspective that is reflected in the writings of the Old and New Testaments, the interpretive perspective Jesus taught his followers.

The Doctor of Educational Ministry in Biblical Theology will equip pastors and ministry leaders to understand the Bible in accordance with the intentions of its Spirit-inspired human authors. Our aim is to build on the foundation laid in the student’s M.Div. or M.A. program by strengthening the student’s skill in the biblical languages and in putting the whole Bible together.

Modular format – relocation to Louisville not required.

Students will complete this program with trips to campus twice each year for doctoral seminars in January and July.

You may view the program schedule here.

The church deserves the very best leaders.

Foundational Seminars
Course Number	Description	Credit Hours
80610	Intro to Doctoral Research and Writing	1
80600	Project Methodology	1
Total		2

Biblical Theology Seminars
Course Number	Description	Credit Hours
80233	The Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament	4
80230	Old Testament Theology	4
80231	New Testament Theology	4
80232	The Use of the Old Testament in the Old Testament	4
Total		16

Educational Seminars
Course Number	Description	Credit Hours
80950	Applied Empirical Research	6
80960	Foundations of Teaching	6
Total		12

Writing and Project Stage
Course Number	Description	Credit Hours
	Contextualized Writing Seminars	8
	Ministry Research Project or Thesis (DEdMin)	8
Total		16

Total Doctor of Educational Ministry in Biblical Theology: 46

This program of study is also offered as a 32 hour Doctor of Ministry degree.

Biblical Theology faculty include:

James M. Hamilton

Professor of Old Testament Interpretation and Biblical Theology

Brian J. Vickers

Professor of New Testament Interpretation

Mitchell L. Chase

Associate Professor of Biblical Studies

Frequently Asked Questions

Student wearing cap and gown on graduation day

The D.Ed.Min. degree at Southern Seminary exists to train leaders to be expert practitioners in their area of study.

The degree culminates in a Ministry Research Project or Research Thesis (100-125 pages) where students will apply professional knowledge and documented research into the context of their ministry.

Examples of projects in Biblical Theology include:

Anchored in Identity: Opposition and the People of God in 1 Peter
“This Is My Story; This Is My Song”: The Subjective Use of the Psalms by Christians Today

The Doctor of Educational Ministry is for anyone serving in a ministry or leadership capacity who wants to increase in skill and knowledge. It’s about helping church and ministry leaders improve what they’re actively doing every week.

Further, D.Ed.Min. graduates are equipped with specific training in teaching and pedagogy, to assist in the leading of educationally-driven ministries in the church.

The D.Ed.Min in Biblical Theology requires a 72 hour Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree. The M.Div. degree, or its equivalent, must be from an accredited institution including the study of both Hebrew and Greek, with a GPA of at least a B (3.0).

If you have previous masters-level credit but do not have the required hours for admission, you may submit a doctoral equivalency evaluation to the admissions office to find out if you qualify for SBTS D.Ed.Min programs.*

For a complete listing of D.Ed.Min admissions requirements, see the “Admissions” tab.

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

Students receive program advising from the Office of Professional Doctoral Studies throughout the entire program of study. Upon completion of Project Methodology (80600), the student is assigned to a faculty supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for guiding the student’s progress through the Ministry Research Project or Research Thesis.

D.Ed.Min. students will follow the same curriculum as the D.Min., but will also take 14 additional hours of educational and pedagogical seminars (for a program total of 46 hours).

Note that program costs differ between the D.Min. and D.Ed.Min.

Admissions

Admissions Prerequisites

To be considered for the D.Min. or D.Ed.Min. program, we require the following for applications:

A qualified master’s degree in a discipline relevant to your intended area of study.
- Students applying for the D.Min. or D.Ed.Min. in Old Testament Exposition, New Testament Exposition, Biblical Theology, and Expository Preaching must have a minimum of 9 hours in biblical languages.
- The D.Ed.Min. in Professional Leadership requires a regionally-accredited professional doctorate degree (e.g., M.D., J.D., or D.M.D.) with a GPA of at least a B (3.0).
While there is no minimum GPA requirement for admission, an applicant’s GPA in previous academic work will be one of the factors taken into account in the admissions process.
For more information about the application process and requirements, please email admissions@sbts.edu.
International transcripts will require an official evaluation from a NACES approved organization (World Evaluation Services is preferred).

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. You will enter your recommender’s information on the “Recommendations” tab of the application.
Two additional recommendations. We suggest that a professor or a business acquaintance who can speak to academic performance complete the 2 additional recommendation forms 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.
Complete a Ministry Field Essay (click here to access Ministry Field Essay prompts) of 750-1,000 words in response to a case calling for the application of biblical and theological insights into a ministry situation. You may upload your field essay directly onto the application.
Submit a Ministry Resume outlining your present and past ministry experience. You may upload your ministry directly onto the application.
$45 application fee – paid after application submission.
Non-native English speakers, including those who have graduated from any U.S. school, must submit an official score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TOEFL scores must meet a minimum of 90 for DMin or DEdMin programs.

Application Deadlines

March 15 – Summer entry
October 15 – Winter entry

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 36 months.*

	Total Cost	Monthly Payment
Total cost for SBC students	$13,710	$353
*Total cost for SBTS alumni (SBC rate)**	$12,210	$311.38
Total cost for non-SBC students	$17,681	$463.36

Program tuition shown is for the 2025-2026 academic year. Additional fees are subject to the current fee schedule.

*SBTS alumni receive a $1,500 discount if they matriculate by Summer 2026.

Textbooks, lodging, food, travel, and graduation costs are not included in the program fee. Any remaining balance of the program fee is due upon graduation. Students who take longer than six semesters to complete the degree will be charged a continuation fee each semester.

Engage with our Faculty

When you choose a seminary, you choose a faculty.

Learn how the professors at Southern Seminary can equip you for a Lifetime of Faithfulness through one of our upcoming virtual Q&As or doctoral events.

Faculty and Program Q&As Virtual and In-Person Doctoral Events

Questions?

Contact Admissions

Phone: (502) 897-4200

Text: (502) 305-3554

Email: admissions@sbts.edu