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.

Students will meet live online for class sessions throughout the semester. Each course includes at least ten live video meetings, along with substantial independent reading, writing, and research outside of those sessions. Session days and times will vary by course.

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.

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).

These virtual meetings will be synchronous, taking place from 1-4 pm on Mondays and Thursdays.

During the application process you will indicate your research interest, but this can be subject to change until you are accepted and enrolled in the program.

During your first year in the program you will have the opportunity to discuss and receive advising on your research topic, as well as the most appropriate supervisor for your area.

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 above 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 on various Fridays throughout the year, and are administered remotely via Zoom (travel to campus not required).
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 coursework stage, students will take eight interdisciplinary seminars over two years. All students will also take the four Research Doctoral Studies 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:

A qualified master’s degree in a discipline relevant to your intended area of study.
- Applicants to the Ph.D. in New Testament must have completed at least 12 hours of Biblical Greek.
- Applicants to the Ph.D. in Old Testament must have completed at least 12 hours of Biblical Hebrew.
- Applicants to the Ph.D. in Biblical Studies must have completed at least 12 hours of Biblical Greek or Biblical Hebrew.
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.
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. The paper should be 12-20 pages in length. You may upload this research paper directly onto the application.
$45 application fee – paid after application submission.

Application Deadlines

All application materials must be received by:

October 1st – Spring Matriculation

March 1st – Fall Matriculation

Language Exams

Students applying to the Ph.D. in Bibilcal Studies, Biblical Theology, New Testament, and Old Testament will be required to take a language exam.

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 2025-2026 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.

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

Call Text Email