Doctor of Philosophy in World Religions

Program Snapshot

70	Credit Hours
4	Years to Complete
Modular Learn more

The harvest is plentiful. Be equipped to advance the kingdom and train the workers.

The Ph.D. in World Religions prepares students to understand contemporary world religions and respond to them from a Christian worldview. This degree equips students to evaluate world religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and new religious movements.

Modular format – relocation to Louisville not required.

Students will complete this program with one trip to campus each summer for doctoral seminars. Each seminar session will last two weeks. Travel to campus only required during the Ph.D. coursework stage. Winter seminars will be held via synchronous virtual meetings.

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
	4 Major-Area Seminars	16
	4 Elective Seminars	16
	4 Colloquia	4
	Prospectus Development 1-4	4
	Research Languages/Research Methodology¹	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 World Religions: 70

86115 Cultural Anthropology and Ethnographic Research (2 hours) must be taken as one of the languages.

Seminars

Seminars provide students the opportunity to engage in focused study on key subjects in their academic discipline. The following seminars are required for World Religions students:

88100 Hinduism
88120 Buddhism
88140 Contemporary Islam
88300 New Religious Movements

In addition, students will choose 4 elective seminars. For a complete list of PhD courses, see the academic catalog. Elective seminars must be approved by the supervising professor.

Students can be supervised by the following faculty:

Ayman S. Ibrahim

Bill and Connie Jenkins Professor of Islamic Studies

John Klaassen

Professor of Global Studies

George H. Martin

Senior Professor of Christian Missions and World Religions

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Ph.D. in World Religions is available in a modular format, requiring one trip each summer (during the first 2 years of the program) to Louisville for doctoral seminars. Students should plan for each campus session to last two weeks. Summer seminars are typically held during the second & third week of May each year.

Winter seminars are held via synchronous virtual meetings and typically occur during the last week of November and the first week of December.

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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