Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Worship

Program Snapshot

70	Credit Hours
4	Years to Complete
Modular Learn more

Think as a researcher, educator, and scholar in the field of Christian worship.

The Ph.D. in Christian Worship trains both local church leaders and aspiring worship professors. This degree focuses on the biblical foundations, historical perspectives, and cross-cultural understandings of Christian worship.

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.

Phd Student 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

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

Total Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Worship: 70

Seminars

Seminars provide students the opportunity to engage in focused study on key subjects in their academic discipline. In addition to professors from the Billy Graham School, students pursuing the Ph.D. in Christian Worship will also take seminars from the faculty in the Theology and Church History departments. The following list is a sampling of available courses in this area:

98110 Theology of Christian Worship	This seminar examines the biblical and theological themes related to the worship of the one true and living God as seen in both the Old and New Testaments. Attention will be given to developments of these aspects of worship across the testaments with a goal of understanding the nature of worship for Christian believers. Special attention will be given to the appropriate application of this theology for the church today.
98130 Studies in Christian Hymnody	This course has a two-fold intensive emphasis on primary source materials (hymnals, collections ,and their prefaces) in Western hymnody and on the topics, current issues, theoretical frameworks, and methodologies of dissertations related to hymnody written in the past several decades.
80842 Planning and Leading Christian Worship	This seminar studies the structure and elements of corporate worship with an emphasis on planning Christ-centered, biblically rich worship services. Special consideration will be given to current issues in worship planning.
98150 Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Worship Practices	This seminar studies the biblical, theological, theoretical, and missiological frameworks and musical tools for worship facilitators to serve effectively using music in cross-cultural worship ministry. The course pursues training in the analysis of song lyrics, study of models for research and practice, and a body of worship music from diverse world music traditions.

Students can be supervised by the following faculty:

Esther R. Crookshank

Ollie Hale Chiles Professor of Church Music

Matthew D. Westerholm

Professor of Church Music and Worship

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Ph.D. in Christian Worship 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.

See the “Admissions” tab for prerequisite degree requirements.

Students must have earned a qualified master’s degree in a discipline relevant to their intended area of doctoral study.*

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

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 Essay and Interview

Students who are believed to have a reasonable possibility of acceptance are invited to participate in entrance essays and faculty interviews.
Essays 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 Essays, 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:

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 and have been completed in the past 10 years. 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 PhD programs in Biblical Studies, Biblical Theology, New Testament, and Old Testament are 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 2026-2027 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

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