phd in church history

Department of Theology

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History of Christianity

The Department of Theology provides a congenial setting for the study of the history of Christianity in all its rich complexity. Reflecting the diversity of methods and interests of the faculty, a sampling of doctoral seminars from recent years would include:

• the medieval Jewish-Christian encounter
• religious pilgrimage
• theologies of Aquinas, Augustine, Luther, and Origen, among others

Special strengths of the program in the history of Christianity include the interpretation of scripture prior to the modern period, spirituality, and doctrine and theological method from the early period through the Reformation.

“I tend to gravitate towards doctrines that seem inexplicable, and I try to understand what motivated the early Christians to formulate these doctrines in just these ways." — Khaled Anatolios, John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology

Students who major in the history of Christianity normally concentrate in their course work and candidacy examinations on two of the following periods of Christian history, in any combination: early, medieval, Reformation & modern. In the first two years of residence, the student takes courses in the major, evenly divided between the two periods.

While the majority of these courses are taken with the faculty in the Department of Theology, students are encouraged to take appropriate courses offered by historians of Christianity affiliated with other departments in the University. Students are also required to take some courses outside their field.

Admission to the history of Christianity program has in recent years been increasingly competitive. Entering students should already have made significant progress in the study of languages needed for serious historical research; introductory language work while in residence will be in addition to the normal course load.

Library holdings are especially strong in the early and medieval periods. Most of the reference and research tools crucial for the investigation of early and medieval Christianity are housed in the Medieval Institute , located on the seventh floor of the Hesburgh Library.

Khaled Anatolios

Department Chair John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology

History of Christianity, Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity |Early Christian Doctrine, Theological Method, and Biblical Exegesis |Khaled Anatolios is interested in all aspects of the theology of the early Church, with special emphases on the Trinitarian, Christological, and soteriological doctrines of the Greek fathers and Augustine; early Christian biblical exegesis; and the development of theological methodology in Patristic and medieval theology. He has published on a variety of early Christian theologians including Irenaeus, Origen, Athanasius, Augustine, and Gregory of Nyssa. A particular focus of  his work is the engagement between early Christian theological reflection and contemporary theological concerns.

Ann W. Astell

History of Christianity | Hagiography as Biblical Commentary; the Song of Songs and the Liturgy | Ann W. Astell is Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. She is the author of six books, most recently Eating Beauty: The Eucharist and the Spiritual Arts of the Middle Ages (2006), and is now completing a monograph on hagiography and the Bible. She has been the recipient of an N.E.H. fellowship and a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship. She has edited eight collections of essays, most recently Saving Fear in Christian Spirituality (2020). Past President of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality and also of the Colloquium on Violence and Religion, she has published recently in Cistercian Studies Quarterly, Spiritus, Theological Studies, Marian Studies, and Religion and Literature. 

Yury P. Avvakumov

Associate Professor

History of Christianity |Papacy and Eastern Churches; scholastic theology; Latin and Byzantine ecclesiology and sacramental theology; Russian and Ukrainian religious thought of the 19th and 20th century. | Avvakumov is a historian of Christianity who specializes in the Later Medieval and Early Modern periods, with a focus on scholasticism, ecclesiology, and relations between the papacy and Byzantium, and in Russian and Ukrainian religious history and thought of the 19th and 20th centuries. He is also broadly engaged with the history, ecclesiology, and liturgy of Byzantine-rite Christianity in communion with Rome (“Uniate”, or “Greco-Catholic” Christianity) from its medieval beginnings to the present day. His special research interest is the fateful history of Catholic and Orthodox Christians under Soviet totalitarianism and their role in contemporary post-communist societies. Avvakumov obtained doctorates in Orthodox theology in St. Petersburg, Russia, and in Catholic theology in Munich, Germany. Prior to coming to Notre Dame in 2010, he held academic positions in Germany, Ukraine, and Russia, including at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lemberg where he served as Dean of Humanities and as the founding chair of the Department of Classical, Byzantine, and Medieval Studies in 2006-2009. Courses he teaches include “Latin West and Byzantine East 1054-1596: Clash and Communion”; “Popes, Patriarchs, and Councils: Medieval Church and Ecclesiology”; “Introduction to Scholastic Theology”; “Theology of the Byzantine Liturgy”; “Russian Religious Thought”; “Eastern Churches: History and Theology”. A trained singer, he also teaches a college seminar “Heaven and Hell: Musical Theater” based on operas and oratorios by Bach, Lully, Meyerbeer, Wagner, and Mussorgsky.  

Jeremy Phillip Brown

Assistant Professor

History of Christianity |Medieval Judaism, Iberian Kabbalah, Jewish-Christian Polemic |Jeremy Phillip Brown is Assistant Professor of Theology specializing in medieval Judaism. He completed his BA in Religion at Reed College, and earned his doctorate in Hebrew and Judaic Studies at New York University. Brown has taught at the University of San Francisco, and served as Simon and Ethel Flegg Postdoctoral Fellow in Jewish Studies at McGill University in Montreal. Research interests include the Zohar, the penitential discourses of Kabbalah and Jewish pietism, Jewish-Christian polemic in medieval Iberia, and the dissemination of Kabbalah in Latin America.

John C. Cavadini

History of Christianity, Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity | He teaches, studies, and publishes in the area of patristic theology and in its early medieval reception. | John C. Cavadini is a Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, having served as Chair from 1997-2010. Since 2000 he has served as the Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame. He received a B.A. in 1975 from Wesleyan University; an M.A. in 1979 from Marquette University; M.A., 1981, M.Phil., 1983 and his Ph.D. in 1988 from Yale University. A member of the Notre Dame faculty since 1990, Cavadini teaches, studies and publishes in patristic and early medieval theology, the theology of Augustine, and the history of biblical and patristic exegesis. He has served a five-year term on the International Theological Commission (appointed by Pope Benedict XVI) and in 2018 received the Monika K. Hellwig Award from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Intellectual Life. As Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, he inaugurated the Echo program in catechetical leadership, the Notre Dame Vision program for high school students and is responsible for the continued growth and outreach of the McGrath Institute, which partners with Catholic dioceses, parishes and schools to address pastoral challenges with theological depth and rigor.  

Catherine Cavadini

Director of Master of Arts Associate Teaching Professor

History of Christianity |The history of biblical interpretation, especially medieval interpretation of the Song of Songs. |Katie teaches courses within the undergraduate and MA curriculum as well as directing the MA Program.

Brian Daley, SJ

Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology, Emeritus

History of Christianity, Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity | Patristic Christology, Eschatology, Theology of Mary, Ecumenical Theology | Born in Orange, NJ, in 1940, Fr. Daley did his undergraduate work at Fordham University and a subsequent M.A, (classics and philosophy) at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He then entered the Society of Jesus, taught for a year at Fordham, and studied theology for ordination in Frankfurt, Germany. He returned to Oxford in 1972 for doctoral studies, focused on the Patristic Christological tradition, and completed a critical edition of the works of the sixth-century theologian Leontius of Byzantium in 1978. He then was a faculty member of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, in Cambridge, MA, until 1996, when he moved to Notre Dame's Department of Theology as the Catherine Huisking Professor. He considers himself a historical theologian, studying the thought and practices of the first seven or eight centuries of Christianity as expressions of the developing common faith of the Church, especially as it is focused on our understanding of the person of Christ, the Trinity, and the hope for eternal life. His most recent book is: God Visible: Patristic Christology Reconsidered (Oxford University Press, 2018).

Margot Fassler

Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Music History and Liturgy, Emeritus

Liturgical Studies, History of Christianity | Theology, Liturgy, and the Arts; Congregational Studies; Sacred Music |Margot Fassler, Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Music History and Liturgy, University of Notre Dame, is Director of the Program in Sacred Music and Tangeman Professor of Music History, Emerita, Yale University. Recent books include Music in the Medieval West and its accompanying Anthology (New York, 2014); (with Jeffery Hamburger, Eva Schlotheuber, and Susan Marti) Life and Latin Learning at Paradies bei Soest, 1300-1425: Inscription and Illumination in the Choir Books of a North German Dominican Convent, 2 vols. (Munster, 2016), and Medieval Cantors and Their Craft (ed. with Katie Bugyis and AB Kraebel) York Medieval Press, 2017. Fassler is a member of the North American Academy of Liturgy, a former President of the Medieval Academy of America, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and an Honorary Member of the American Musicological Society. Her digital work includes documentary studies of contemporary congregations. Her book: Cosmos, Liturgy and the Arts in the Twelfth Century: Hildegard’s Illuminated Scivias is forthcoming with the University of Pennsylvania Press. A digital model of creation and cosmos based on the illuminations of Scivias (with Christian Jara) will appear in 2021. These works have been supported by grants from the Luce Foundation, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the ACLS. In 2019-20, Fassler was a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University.

Paul Kollman, CSC

World Religions and World Church, History of Christianity |I am currently preparing a manuscript on the Catholic missionary evangelization of eastern Africa. |Paul Kollman, CSC, is associate professor of theology and has been on the faculty at Notre Dame in the Department of Theology since 2001. Before that he taught at the Queen of Apostles Philosophy Seminary in Jinja, Uganda, and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Since being at Notre Dame he has also taught at Tangaza College, Nairobi, Kenya. His scholarship focuses on African Christianity, mission history, and world Christianity, and he has taught and carried out research in Africa and in archives around the world. Kollman earned his PhD from the University of Chicago Divinity School (2001), and a BA and MDiv from Notre Dame (1984, 1990). He is the author of The Evangelization of Slaves and Catholic Origins in Eastern Africa, co-author of Understanding World Christianity: Eastern Africa, and numerous other publications in professional journals. He has served as executive director of Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns, as president of the American Society of Missiology, and is currently president of the International Association of Mission Studies. Kollman is also a fellow of the Kellogg, Kroc, and Nanovic Institutes at Notre Dame. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kollman currently lives in O’Neill Hall at Notre Dame.

Ulrich L. Lehner

William K. Warren Professor

History of Christianity |History of Christianity after 1500, Global Catholic Studies, Early Modern History, Gender and Race in the History of Catholicism, 19th and 20th c. European History and Culture |Ulrich L. Lehner specializes in religious history and theology of the Early Modern period and the Enlightenment. Among his publications are over ten authored books and more than fifteen edited volumes, including The Oxford Handbook of Early Modern Theology, 1600-1800 (Oxford UP: 2016), Women, Enlightenment, and Catholicism: A Transnational Biographical History (Routledge: 2018), and most recently Innovation in Early Modern Catholicism (Routledge: 2021). He was selected as a Member and Herodotus Fellow in the School of Historical Studies at the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study, a fellow at the Institute for Comparative History of Religious Orders at the University of Eichstätt, Distinguished Fellow at the NDIAS (twice), fellow of the Earhart foundation (twice), and fellow of the Humboldt and Friedrich von Siemens Foundation. In 2014 he was inducted into the European Academy for Sciences and Arts, in 2018 into the Accademia Ambrosiana, and in 2022 into the Academia Europea.

Timothy Matovina

History of Christianity | Latino/a theologies and Latino/a Catholicism | Timothy Matovina works in the area of Faith and Culture, with specialization in U.S. Catholic and U.S. Latino theology and religion. Professor Matovina has authored over 150 essays and reviews in scholarly and opinion journals. He has also written or edited 20 books, most recently Latino Catholicism: Transformation in America’s Largest Church, which won five book awards, including selection as a CHOICE “Outstanding Academic Title,” as well as Theologies of Guadalupe: From the Era of Conquest to Pope Francis. Among his various scholarly awards, in 2010 Matovina received the Virgilio Elizondo Award “for distinguished achievement in theology, in keeping with the mission of the Academy” from the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS). At Notre Dame he has won two teaching awards, including the Julian Samora Award that members of Notre Dame’s La Alianza student organization confer on a faculty member whose research, teaching, and service advance knowledge and empowerment of Latino/a students and communities. In addition to his scholarly work, Matovina offers presentations and workshops on U.S. Catholicism and Latino ministry and theology throughout the United States.

Cyril O'Regan

Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology

Systematic Theology, History of Christianity | I am currently finishing up my volumes on the relationship between Hans Urs von Balthasar and Martin Heidegger. | Born in Ireland where I received my BA and MA in Philosophy. My Ph. D is from Yale where I taught in the Department of Religious Studies before I came to the Department of Theology at Notre Dame in 1999. My work spans a number of areas, systematic theology, historical theology, and continental philosophy, and I am especially active at the intersection of theology and continental philosophy. I have done considerable work in 19th-century theology and philosophy, postmodern thought, mysticism, apocalyptic, Gnosticism, religion and literature, major Catholic figures such as Newman, de Lubac, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Benedict XVI, and on the doctrines of the Trinity and "last things." I will shortly complete two volumes dealing with the relationship between the Swiss theologian, Hans Urs von Balthasar and Martin Heidegger. I will then turn to complete my Gnosticism in Modernity project. I intend to write in order a volume on Gnosticism and German Idealism and subsequently a volume on Gnosticism and German and English Romanticism. I teach a wide array of courses on all levels and am very active in directing doctoral students.

Gabriel Reynolds

Jerome J. Crowley and Rosaleen G. Crowley Professor of Theology

World Religions and World Church, History of Christianity |Qur'anic Studies and Muslim-Christian Relations |Gabriel Said Reynolds did his doctoral work at Yale University in Islamic Studies. Currently he researches the Qur'ān and Muslim/Christian relations and is Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology in the Department of Theology at Notre Dame. He is the author of The Qur'ān and Its Biblical Subtext (Routledge 2010) and The Emergence of Islam (Fortress, 2012), the translator of ʿAbd al-Jabbar’s Critique of Christian Origins (BYU 2008), and editor of The Qur'ān in Its Historical Context (Routledge 2008) and New Perspectives on the Qur'ān: The Qur'ān in Its Historical Context 2 (Routledge 2011). In 2012-13 Prof. Reynolds directed, along with Mehdi Azaiez, “The Qurʾān Seminar,” a year-long collaborative project dedicated to encouraging dialogue among scholars of the Qurʾān, the acts of which appeared as The Qurʾān Seminar Commentary (De Gruyter, 2016). In 2018 he published The Qurʾan and the Bible with Yale University Press and in 2020 Allah: God in the Qur'an, also with YUP. At Notre Dame he teaches courses on theology, Muslim/Christian Relations, and Islamic Origins.  He runs a youtube channel, “Exploring the Qur’an and the Bible” that features conversations on scripture with leading scholars.

Alexis Torrance

Archbishop Demetrios Associate Professor of Byzantine Theology

History of Christianity | Greek Patristic, Byzantine, and Orthodox Theology, in particular Christology, ascetic thought, and theological anthropology.  | Alexis Torrance received his undergraduate and graduate training in Theology at the University of Oxford. He has held research fellowships at the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study, the Seeger Center for Hellenic Studies at Princeton University, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Dumbarton Oaks in Washington DC. He has been a member of the faculty at Notre Dame since 2014. His research interests gravitate around the fields of Greek Patristic, Byzantine, and Orthodox Theology, with a special focus on the areas of Christology, theological anthropology, ascetic thought, and East-West relations. He is currently developing a project on the nature and practice of theology in the middle and late Byzantine periods, with a view to bringing the findings into conversation with modern Orthodox thought. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2020, and is a Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne.

Joseph Wawrykow

History of Christianity |Medieval Christology; the late medieval and early modern reception of Aquinas's theology |Born and raised in Canada, Joseph Wawrykow did his doctoral work at Yale University and has taught at Notre Dame since graduation. He specializes in 13th-century Western theology, and has published on a wide range of central theological topics (Trinity; Christ; grace and predestination; sacraments; biblical interpretation) in high medieval theology. While he is best known for his work on the theology of Thomas Aquinas, his scholarly interests extend to other scholastic theologians, as well as to the varieties of medieval spiritual theology. In his research, he is attentive to issues of reception and transformation, showing the medieval scholastic theological achievement in its complex relations with the theologies of the early Fathers. Wawrykow has directed numerous doctoral dissertations, on such figures as William of Auxerre, Angela of Foligno, Duns Scotus, and, Aquinas. He has received University recognition for his teaching, both undergraduate and graduate, and has been entrusted with several leadership responsibilities by his Department, including lengthy stints as Director of Undergraduate Studies and as Director of Graduate Studies (Ph.D.) He is married to an art historian (Yale Ph.D.); their son did his undergraduate work at Yale and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Mathematics at the University of Michigan.

Jeff Wickes

History of Christianity, Liturgical Studies |Late Antique Christianity; Syriac literature; ritual studies; religion and literature |Jeff Wickes focuses on the interplay between Syriac literature, theology, and liturgy in the context of late antique Christianity. Building projects that work from close readings of Syriac texts, he gravitates in his work towards larger questions of genre (especially poetry), religion, and theology as they play out within the historical horizons of late antique Christianity, and as those horizons meet our own in the contemporary world. His first two books focused on Syriac Christianity’s formative voice, Ephrem the Syrian, and sought to find the place where performative context and exegesis met in the space of Ephrem’s poetry. His current book turns to a range of Syriac hagiographical poems sung between the fourth and sixth centuries to ask questions around form, agency, time, and gender in late antique poetry and the cult of the saints. He comes to Notre Dame after nine years at Saint Louis University. Prior to that, he completed a PhD at the University of Notre Dame, an MA at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, and a BA at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. His work has been supported by grants from, among others, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, the Mellon Foundation, and the Dolores Zorhab Liebmann Fund.

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Doctor of Philosophy in History of Christianity and Historical Theology

Experience historical christianity as a living, breathing, on-the-ground phenomenon.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History of Christianity and Historical Theology focuses upon historical themes, issues, and methodologies. Students in the program will study a major historical emphasis, such as Christian origins and the Early church; the Reformations in Europe; the rise of the Reformation and the Wesleyan movement in England; the period of US Christian history; Wesleyan and Methodist Studies. Within these, more delimited time periods and subjects/themes would be selected for study and research, to include social context, theological developments, and key ecclesiastical and social issues.

Meet a Current Student

Peter J. Smith is a doctoral student in historical theology and a native of Athens, Ohio. His research focuses on the development of theological anthropology and soteriology in the 4th and 5th centuries, as well as the early articulation of Wesleyan theology. His master’s thesis discussed the anthropological implications of Athanasius’ doctrine of deification.

Degree Requirements

The PhD in History of Christianity and Historical Theology is a 40-credit hour degree program.

3 Foundational Courses (7-credit hours)

• Hermeneutics
• Teaching Seminar
• Research Seminar

6 to 8 Courses in Major (18- to 24-credit hours)

• 6 hours are required in designated courses in applied historiography

3 to 4 Courses in Minor (9- to 12- credit hours)

2 Elective Courses as needed (6 credit hours)

Research Languages and/or Research Tools (2)

• One in a language for academic research and a second research language or pertinent research methodology, plus all tools necessary to complete the dissertation.

Qualifying Exams

• 4 written exams
• 1 oral exam

Dissertation Proposal

Dissertation and Defense

Optional focus in African American/Black Religious Studies

To add a focus in African American/Black Religious Studies, a student would take a minimum of fifteen hours of courses with specific African American/Black content, as selected by the student in consultation with their advisor. Persons opting for this focus would have an African American/Black advisor or consulting co-advisor, or as a committee member. At least one of the student’s Qualifying Examination questions would be on a dimension of African American/Black religion. The student’s dissertation would incorporate some element relating to African American/Black religious life and thought.

Our History Faculty

In my courses, I want students to appreciate the past as something that is both distant from us and always with us. I want them to experience historical Christianity as a living, breathing, on-the-ground phenomenon.

Dr. Anna Johnson Associate Professor of Reformation Church History

My goal is to make the historical authors, their worlds, worldviews, and their thought accessible to the twenty-first century student as much as possible.

Dr. James Papandrea Professor of Church History and Historical Theology

Degree Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of broad areas of their respective disciplines—primary sources, secondary sources, methods, and intellectual foundations
• Demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct research and make contributions to their field
• Develop research skills to carry into their future work as scholars
• Demonstrate skills in oral and written communication to present and publish work in their field
• Demonstrate competence in teaching their discipline in a designated course on pedagogy and through practical experience as teaching assistants
• Demonstrate, through service in academy, church, and seminaries, the value of their discipline to the academy and community at large

Garrett accepts applications from students with a masters degree in religious or theological studies from an accredited college or university and proficiency in the English language.

In response to COVID-19 pandemic, PhD applications WILL NOT require GRE scores. Applications are due by January 20th.

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all DEGREE PROGRAMS

Doctor of philosophy, the doctor of philosophy is the highest degree available for theological and biblical studies. it combines deep scholarly research with training in effective writing and communication to prepare you to serve christ and his global church., the doctor of philosophy program offers specialization in two fields: biblical studies (concentrations in old testament or new testament) and historical & theological studies (concentrations in church history, systematic theology, or apologetics)., westminster’s integrated training will prepare you to:.

Demonstrate mastery of core methods and tools of theological research

Gain expertise in a chosen field of theological or biblical study

Produce scholarly work that contributes to the advancement of a major field of study

Deepen your theological understanding to better serve in pastoral ministry, teaching, or further academic scholarship

Communicate compellingly through writing and teaching

at a glance

Years To Complete

Delivery Platforms

on-campus only

Online only, both on-campus & online.

Biblical Languages

“No other factor in my many years of theological training has done more to define who I am as a theologian and set the trajectory for continued development as a pastor and professor as my PhD studies at Westminster. The Van Tillian contours of the integrated curriculum are an invitation to epistemological humility and eschatological hope. Here, precision meets the pastoral, acumen the affectional, thus yielding informed minds and enflamed hearts.”

David filson, pastor, christ presbyterian church, integrated training, the doctor of philosophy program combines deep theological study with rigorous research methods under the guidance of expert faculty., our curriculum is crafted to be cumulatively sequential and thoroughly integrated..

Each discipline derives its content and methodology from Scripture and therefore necessarily draws on—and informs—all other disciplines.

Core Courses

3–4 courses.

Hermeneutical & Biblical Studies

NT Use of the OT

Critical Methodologies

History of Interpretation

Hermeneutical Foundations

Historical & Theological Studies

Historical & Theological Methodologies

Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til

The Westminster Standards

In addition to your core courses, you will also take elective courses that typically serve to inform your dissertation. PhD students in Hermeneutics & Biblical Studies choose three electives, and students in Historical or Theological Studies choose four.

In order to ensure that you are well-read within your field, you will also take three readings courses in which you will read and digest key texts relevant to your research.

Research Languages

Students need to demonstrate proficiency by way of exam in two of the following languages: Latin, German, French, or Dutch.

Students will conduct independent research, work constructively with exegetical and theological problems, and ultimately contribute to knowledge in their subject field through a dissertation that is worthy of publication. Students’ dissertations will culminate in an oral defense before the faculty.

Westminster’s expert faculty is made up of dynamic biblical scholars who are personally invested in mentoring and training the next generation of specialists in the bible., scott oliphint, apologetics, nate shannon, iain duguid, old testament, david garner, systematic theology, vern poythress, brandon crowe, new testament, jonathan gibson, todd rester, church history, stephen coleman, mark garcia, brian mattson, sinclair ferguson, peter lillback, david filson, view full academic catalog, the doctor of philosophy will prepare you to serve in a wide range of contexts., phd alumni serve in:.

Teaching & Professorship

Seminary Leadership

Continuing academic scholarship

Writing & Publishing

AVAILABLE ONLINE & ON-CAMPUS

To better equip the global church, Westminster offers the Master of Divinity online, on-campus, or through a hybrid experience you design.

THE ONLINE EXPERIENCE:

A better way to learn online, for when you need to stay..

Flexible programs that fit your life.

Engaging and innovative classroom environment.

Easy-to-use technology connects you to a global community.

Immediate application in life and ministry.

THE ON-CAMPUS EXPERIENCE:

Deep community and discipleship through shared daily life..

Programs intentionally crafted for ministry preparation and deep academic study.

Unparalleled access to expert faculty who are invested in your life and ministry.

Life-on-life fellowship in a diverse and like-minded community.

Communal rhythms of prayer and worship woven into all areas of campus life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the time expectations for the phd program.

The recommended timeline for the PhD is four years. Most coursework must be completed in-residence at Westminster’s campus. The maximum time to complete is seven years.

What are the admissions requirements for the PhD program?

In addition to Westminster’s standard admissions requirements, applicants to the PhD program must also submit a GRE score, a writing sample, and a dissertation proposal. The writing sample should be no more than 10 pages and should be from work completed in a master’s program focused on the applicant’s desired PhD concentration. The dissertation proposal should be a half-page summary.

What fields of study are offered for the PhD program?

The PhD program is offered in two fields: biblical studies and historical & theological studies. The historical and theological field offers three concentrations: church history, systematic theology, and apologetics. The biblical studies field offers two concentrations: New Testament and Old Testament.

Westminster would be honored to help equip you for the profound work God is calling you to. Our admissions staff are available to answer any questions you may have.

CONTACT US TO APPLY

Meet our faculty.

Our faculty are passionate about equipping you to mine the riches of God’s Word at unparalleled depth. Learn about their areas of expertise and backgrounds.

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History & Ecumenics PhD Program

The History and Ecumenics Department features world-class scholars who specialize in the historical development and contemporary trajectories of Christianity, often in the context of other religious traditions.

The faculty’s expertise reaches across time and around the world. The graduates of our PhD program have gone on to be professors and administrators in major research universities and in theological institutions, as well as significant leaders in church and society beyond.

PhD Course of Study

The History and Ecumenics Department features five tracks for doctoral study. Prospective students should identify one in which their doctoral work will be centered, though the faculty also encourage and support work that develops across and in collaboration between tracks.

Early Christianity and Its World

Beginning as a sectarian movement within Palestinian Judaism, Christianity emerged through a process of religious, social and cultural encounter both within the Roman Empire and beyond its borders to the east. Within a few centuries Christian communities had developed in Europe, Africa and Asia, and their members had produced a broad array of literature (theological, exegetical, historical, hagiographic and liturgical) in a plethora of languages (Arabic, Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopic, Georgian, Greek, Latin and Syriac). They also created a rich trove of material culture from jewelry to liturgical implements to massive structures for community worship. Study of this period of Christian history rests on a foundation of linguistic, cultural and religious knowledge about the ancient world, and it embraces the theological, exegetical, liturgical and archeological study of Christian communities from the New Testament period through the rise of Islam. Our program offers many points of entry into this complex field of study.

Medieval Christianity and Its World

By “medieval” Christian history we mean an entire millennium, from 500 to 1500. In this era, the history of theology (and philosophy) is inseparable from the institutional history of Christianity, its worship and art, especially in the encounter with Islam. Although the idea of “middle” ages stems from Western Europe (in the middle between antiquity and the Renaissance) we here include the Eastern Orthodox churches not only in Byzantium and Russia but also in Asia, North Africa, and Ethiopia.

Reformation and Its World

The major religious changes of the Reformation were one of the most significant factors in the early modern era (1450-1650), and they were not confined to western Europe, or to theology or church structures alone. The Reformation and Its World covers church, social and theological history, Christian life, worship, and mission in a global frame. Titles of courses and doctoral seminars indicate some of the wide-ranging themes addressed and specific topics treated in depth in this area of specialization, as well as how this era forms an integral part of the wider history of Christianity in the world.

Religion in the Americas

The religion in the Americas track brings into focus the interconnectedness of religious worlds across North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Coursework will introduce students to historical, anthropological, sociological, and other theoretical methods and approaches to the study of religion in the Americas. In their own research students can focus on a variety of topics, including the relationship of religion to politics, economics, culture, migration, identity, urbanization, and other deep structures shaping everyday life in the Americas. This track trains students to think not only across space and region but also across time from the 15th century to the present. In addition, the track challenges students to think about the connections between past and present, including how deep histories of coloniality, race, interculturality, and more relate to pressing social ethical questions for today.

World Christianity and the History of Religions

This track dedicates itself to fostering an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the study of Christianity and the history of Christianity as a pluricultural, global phenomenon. Though primarily focused on Christianity’s burgeoning presence in the global South (Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific), the contemporary worldwide diffusion of global South Christianity in its various diasporas also falls within the program’s purview. Given that the world’s religions condition the dominant context out of which Christianity emerges in the global South, the faculty responsible for the track consider a grounding in the History of Religions to be indispensable for a proper understanding of World Christianity in its diverse global contexts. While nurturing a broad perspective on Christianity’s variegated, cross- cultural and transnational, diasporic manifestations, the track also endeavors to provide a space in the doctoral curriculum of the Seminary for the study and practice of Intercultural Theologies, using as its primary resources a wide range of theologies that find expression in the global South. The track thus hopes to enhance the ecumenical interrelations of the global Christian communion, including its interactions with believers from other faith communities. As a whole, the track provides a rigorous scholarly foundation for a multifaceted study of World Christianity’s many worlds.

Residence Requirements

All tracks in the History & Ecumenics doctoral program require that a student successfully complete a minimum of eight doctoral seminars. The purpose of coursework is to develop expertise, hone research skills, and to prepare for comprehensive exams. Ordinarily, these eight courses will include:

• A departmental seminar or individual tutorial on methodology.
• One seminar chosen from doctoral offerings at Princeton University.

Additional course requirements vary by track, as follows:

Early Christianity and its World

• one seminar in early Christianity
• one seminar from at least three of the other four tracks: medieval Christianity, Reformation, Religion in the Americas, World Christianity

Medieval Christianity and its World

• one seminar in medieval Christianity
• one seminar from at least three of the other four tracks: early Christianity, Reformation, Religion in the Americas, World Christianity

Reformation and its World

• one seminar in Reformation
• one seminar from at least three of the other four tracks: early Christianity, medieval Christianity, Religion in the Americas, World Christianity
• one seminar on North American religious history
• one seminar on Latin American religions
• one seminar on World Christianity
• one seminar on early Christianity, medieval Christianity, or the Reformation
• one seminar on the history of religions
• one seminar on intercultural theologies
• one seminar on early Christianity, medieval Christianity, the Reformation, or Religion in the Americas

Students will choose their courses in consultation with their advisers in order to ensure a coherent and maximally useful course of study. PhD students are free to audit other courses in the Seminary catalogue, such as those offered in the Master’s program. If such courses are taken for PhD credit, additional work will usually be required.

In addition to their coursework, students in residence are required to attend the departmental colloquium.

Language requirements vary by track, as follows:

Early Christian Studies

Students must demonstrate proficiency in four languages–two ancient and two modern–by the end of their 2nd year in the doctoral program. Students must demonstrate proficiency in at least two of these languages prior to matriculation. Ancient languages: Greek and one of the following: Latin, Coptic, or Arabic Modern languages: French and German

Medieval Christianity

Students must demonstrate proficiency in Latin, French, and German by the end of their 2nd year in the doctoral program (when appropriate, an alternative modern language, e.g. Spanish, may be approved). Students must demonstrate proficiency in two of the languages (including Latin and either French, German, or an alternative modern research language) prior to matriculation.

Reformation and the World

Students must demonstrate proficiency in Latin, French, and German by the end of their 2nd year in the doctoral program. Students must demonstrate proficiency in two of these three languages prior to matriculation.

Students must demonstrate proficiency in one modern research language by the end of their 2nd year in the program. Ordinarily this language will be Spanish or Portuguese, though, when there is a clear and compelling rationale, students may petition their residency committee to count a different language toward this requirement. This petition must be approved by the end of the 1st year.

Students must demonstrate proficiency in one modern research language by the end of their 2nd year in the program. This language, which will ordinarily be relevant to the dissertation, will be determined in consultation with the residence committee.

PhD students are also encouraged to develop further language skills through auditing Seminary courses or enrolling in appropriate University courses. These opportunities, however, do not count toward the eight seminars.

Comprehensive Examinations

Across tracks, doctoral students in History & Ecumenics will take four comprehensive exams. The format and content of three of the exams may vary and will be determined in consultation between the student and their residency committee. Possible formats include:

• a course research and design proposal
• a 36-hour, open book/notes, take-home exam, with questions on topics, figures, and texts agreed upon in advance. This exam will give the student a chance to exhibit control and clear understanding of a field of knowledge—its key texts, figures, controversies, and problematics. Such an exam will typically be 15-25 double-spaced pages.
• a 6-hour (8 total, with a 2-hour break), seated, closed book/closed notes examination. Such an exam will typically be 10-15 double-spaced pages, though sometimes longer.
• a 2 or 3 question exam completed over 5 weeks. The start date will be agreed upon by the student and their examiners. Books and notes allowed. Each question will require roughly 10-15 pages (double-spaced) of text.

In every case, the fourth will be a dissertation-related paper of 20-25 pages, which should, whenever possible, represent a significant step toward the crafting of a dissertation proposal. Finally, note that at least three different formats must be used across the four exams. Only one exam may be a course research and design proposal.

All examiners are selected through consultation between the student and their residency committee. A first and second reader will be assigned to each examination. Bibliographies for the examinations are compiled by the student in consultation with the first reader. Each of the four bibliographies will include between 40 and 100 sources/books/articles. After the written exams are completed, there will be a comprehensive oral examination based on all four of them. Students will receive feedback on the written examinations at least three days prior to the oral examination. At the conclusion of a successful oral defense the student will work with their residence committee chair to select a dissertation committee, which will be approved by the department and will help to guide them through the rest of the program.

Track-specific requirements regarding the content of examinations are as follows:

• one exam on early Christianity
• two exams focused on two of the other four tracks: medieval, Reformation, Religion in the Americas, and/or World Christianity
• one exam on medieval Christianity
• two additional exams, each focused on one of the other four tracks: early, Reformation, Religion in the Americas, and/or World Christianity
• one exam on Reformation
• two additional exams, each focused on one of the other four tracks: early medieval, Religion in the Americas, and/or World Christianity
• one exam on North American religious history
• one exam on Latin American religions
• one exam developed in accordance with the students’ research interest (options include but are not limited to: theories of religion, a religion other than Christianity, world Christianity methodologies, early Christianity, medieval Christianity, the Reformation)
• one exam on the historiography of World Christianity (in relation to one or more of the global South areas covered by the faculty)
• one exam on theory and methodology for the History of Religions; and social science theory and methodology for the study of World Christianity (in relation to one or more religious traditions found within the global South or diaspora areas covered by the faculty)
• one exam on intercultural theory, methodology, and theology applied to the study of World Christianity (in relation to one or more of the global South areas covered by the faculty)

Dissertation Proposal

Following successful completion of the comprehensive examinations, a PhD candidate is expected to submit a dissertation proposal for approval, first by the newly-constituted dissertation committee, which will guide the process, and then by the department. The proposal will typically be 20-25 pages and will include an overview of the research question and approach; an overview of the existing literature; and an initial attempt to describe the way that the argument will develop and the chapters will unfold. The proposal must be approved by the department prior to the end of the student’s 3rd year.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is designed to equip you for teaching and research in colleges, theological seminaries, and universities, and for advanced church leadership.

Home / Programs / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

What Is a Doctor of Philosophy?

A doctor of philosophy, also known as a PhD, is a doctoral degree in a specific area of study. At Calvin Theological Seminary, this terminal degree is available in the area of theology.

What Is a Theology PhD Program?

Calvin Theological Seminary’s PhD focuses on Christian theology. The graduate program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is designed to afford students advanced training in independent inquiry, academic research, critical analysis, and scholarly writing as they define their own theological positions in dialogue with other points of view. It is aimed at equipping scholars from all parts of the world for teaching and research in colleges, theological seminaries, and universities and for general ecclesiastical leadership.

Theology Doctorate Career Opportunities

A PhD can prepare you for many roles, including:

• Professor: Share your knowledge through undergraduate- or graduate-level teaching. 
• Pastor-Scholar: Help lead a congregation and a denomination as a pastor who engages with and produces scholarship that feeds the church.
• Author: Curate your learning and research through written works.
• Center or institute staff: Serve as a leader for a faith-based center, institute, think tank, or other organization that values theology.

Our PhD in Theology Program

Seminary phd concentrations.

PhD concentrations are offered in the History of Christianity, Moral Theology (Ethics), New Testament, Philosophical Theology, and Systematic Theology.

• History of Christianity: If you love studying history and the life of the global church, this concentration offers you a deeper study of the development of Christian communities and Christian thought over time.
• Moral Theology (Ethics): For students who have a passion for ethical living, personally and communally, this concentration offers a philosophical and practical look at moral theology.
• New Testament: Does the life of Jesus, and the acts of the early church, excite you? Do you pore over Scripture with an eagerness to understand more deeply? This concentration offers an up-close look at the New Testament of God’s living Word.
• Philosophical Theology: If you are drawn to the work of thought-provoking authors throughout time, energized by philosophical conversations with your peers, and curious about the implications of philosophy for the church and the world, this concentration is your key to open doors of the mind.
• Systematic Theology: What is theology? Why does it matter? How can we respond to basic questions about the Christian faith? What is the story being told in the whole of Scripture? Explore these questions and more through the systematic theology concentration. 

Theology PhD Coursework

Students are required to complete a total of twelve PhD courses for credit in biblical or theological content areas. Full-time students take six courses per year (typically three per semester) for two years. Part-time students take either four courses per year for three years or three courses per year for four years. At least three courses must be taken in the student’s discipline of specialization and at least two courses in each of the other three areas.

In addition to the twelve required PhD courses in biblical and theological content areas, students in the program must take seminar 9103RP, “Teaching & Student Formation,” during the first two years in the program and are expected to take seminar 9102RP, “Dissertation Seminar,” if they have completed the required PhD courses and are working on their dissertation. Students ordinarily will take the dissertation seminar during more than one semester. These seminars are offered on a credit/no credit basis and do not count toward the twelve required courses in the program. Students living outside of the Grand Rapids area can join by video call.

Learning in the Reformed Tradition

Calvin Seminary is committed to the confessional and theological standards of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), but students from all Christian traditions are welcome to apply. The academic freedom to probe the foundations of Reformed theology and to explore the validity of other approaches is a fundamental assumption of the PhD program.

Get Your Theology Doctorate in Michigan

The residential PhD program allows you to learn in our newly remodeled smart classrooms alongside your peers and mentors. Experience true community, below-market housing (optional), and a vibrant city at your fingertips.

Academic & Vocational Support

As an option, PhD students may use the services of the Vocational Formation Office, including formation groups with peers and personal assessment tools such as the Birkman.

Finishing Your PhD

How long does a phd take.

The PhD program at Calvin typically takes between 4–5 years to complete.

Program Details and Requirements

In addition to this summary of the PhD program, further details and requirements can be found in the PhD Handbook.

Program Outcomes

PhD graduates will leave the program with the following skills and competencies:

• Academic research skills
• Critical analytical skills
• Scholarly writing skills
• Ability to teach across the entire field of biblical and theological studies, with mastery of one biblical or theological discipline
• Ability to provide thoughtful, fair, and respectful analyses and interpretations of positions with which they agree and of positions with which they disagree
• Ability to articulate their own biblical and theological positions and engage in informed, respectful dialogue with other points of view
• Understanding of and appreciation for Christian thought from around the world and from diverse points of view
• Ability to strengthen the church’s biblical and theological understanding and its ministry, including the ministry of proclaiming the gospel and discipling believers for Christ-like service in everyday life

What Makes the PhD Program at Calvin Different from Other Seminary PhDs?

• International learning community: Calvin Seminary offers an international community of Christian scholars eager to learn from one another. Calvin is a truly global community, with students coming from over 20 countries around the world. Over 30% of students come from outside the United States and Canada.
• Reformed : Calvin Seminary is a learning community in the Reformed Christian tradition that forms church leaders who cultivate communities of disciples of Jesus Christ. Here you will receive a thorough grounding in confessional Reformed thought. 
• Diverse scholarly literature: The program helps develop an awareness and appreciation of scholarly literature representing diverse points of view in the worldwide church today and of ways in which cultural and religious contexts challenge and enrich theological education.
• Know your Christian history: Students will learn about key figures and issues in the history of Christian thought and throughout church history. 
• Solid methodology: The Calvin Seminary PhD program teaches and practices a solid methodology of theological research. You will be introduced to proper research methods and their application as well as to important theological issues and developments.
• Broad range of biblical and theological topics: Calvin Seminary enables teaching competency across a variety of biblical and theological topics through a broad range of coursework and comprehensive examinations. In addition, each PhD concentration provides depth and breadth of learning in a specific area.
• Insightful pedagogy: The PhD program offers instruction in pedagogy that provides insights, skills, and practice in teaching. Courses are innovative and engaging, built on the learning and expertise of world-class professors. 
• Supportive community: At Calvin Seminary, you will find a supportive community from the first course to the last chapter of the dissertation. Faculty, staff, and fellow students are here to support you throughout your seminary journey.
• Significant financial support: Calvin Seminary PhD students will find substantial financial support and options for reasonable living expenses. You are guaranteed to receive tuition support between 25% and 100%.

Library and study space resources: Calvin Seminary offers high-quality literary resources and study space. Here you will discover Hekman Library—the largest private library in Michigan, and home to an entire floor of resources devoted to theology, biblical scholarship, and ministry practices.

How to Apply

Begin the journey to your potential PhD by applying now and submitting supplemental materials. Our application process will walk through the items you need to submit, and our Enrollment Management team is available for help and questions along the way.

Calvin Seminary offers a wide range of scholarships and other financial assistance. In fact, in recent years, nearly $1.5 million in scholarship funds were awarded annually.

Application Requirements

The PhD committee, in partnership with the admissions office, will make all admissions decisions. 

A Master of Divinity , Master of Theological Studies , Master of Theology , or an equivalent degree, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 (B+), from an accredited institution. All applicants must show transcript evidence that they know Hebrew, Greek, and a modern foreign language (preferably German, French, or Dutch). Applicants must also submit scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and a research paper that demonstrates their ability to do theological research and analysis at an advanced level. 

Additionally, an Autobiography (250-500 word autobiography, focusing on personal history, academic/professional background, and church/ministry involvement) and a Statement of Purpose (500 words describing your academic interests and vocational goals in pursuing a PhD at Calvin Seminary) are required.

For more information on the PhD admissions process, please see the PhD Handbook .

Applicants who are non-native in English must submit official TOEFL exam results as a part of their application for admission. A minimum internet-based total score of 90 with a score of 23 in the writing section is required. Use Calvin Theological Seminary’s institutional code 1096 to order scores.

For information on international student application requirements, visit the international student information page .

Admission Deadlines

The deadline for PhD application materials to be submitted is January 15. 

The PhD program has one start date: the Fall Semester. Admitted students will typically be required to be on-campus for an orientation in mid-August.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), like a ThD (Doctor of Theology), is a terminal degree. PhD and ThD degrees from seminaries and theological schools generally have equivalent standing. Some institutions choose to use the degree title of ThD as a way to designate a focus on Christian theological study or include Christian formation. However, many PhD programs, like Calvin’s, also focus on Christian theological study and include Christian formation.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is designed to equip students for teaching and research in colleges, theological seminaries, and universities, and for advanced church leadership. Calvin Seminary’s DMin program allows ministry professionals to develop advanced ministry leadership skills and spiritual formation.

The PhD can enhance pastoral and other ministry roles, but it is not required for ordination .

Start your PhD journey today when you apply now.

Get to Know Calvin Theological Seminary

Meet Your Faculty

Faculty at Calvin Theological Seminary carry out the seminary’s mission as inspiring thought leaders, invested teachers and mentors, and committed followers of Christ.

Student Stories

Past graduates have applied their learning to a variety of ministry-based opportunities. Here are some of their stories.

Academic Support

In addition to contextual learning, the Vocational Formation Office offers students other forms of support, including formation groups with peers, vocational mentors, and assessment tools to help students identify and cultivate their strengths.

Doctor of Philosophy in Church History  

• 30 credits (10 courses)
• 6 credits (thesis)

Preparing students to serve Christ and His church through biblical, experiential, and practical ministry.

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PhD in Historical Theology

The PhD at PRTS is a fully funded program allowing for eight (8) to ten (10) students per year. Accepted PhD students do not need not to apply for scholarships. The Historical Theology doctoral program offers focused areas of research, including but not limited to:

Reformation:

• Calvin and other Reformers such as Bullinger, Musculus, and Viret
• English Reformation
• Luther and other Lutheran Reformers such as Melanchthon

Post-Reformation:

• Biblical exegesis
• Confessions & Catechisms: Thirty-nine Articles, Belgic Confession of Faith, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dort, Westminster, and London Baptist Confession
• English and New England Puritans
• Confessional Anglicanism
• Confessional Baptists
• History of Homiletics
• Lutheran orthodoxy and Pietism
• Protestant scholasticism
• Reformed orthodoxy and piety
• Scottish Presbyterianism

In preparing students to serve Christ and His church through biblical, experiential, and practical ministry, the doctoral program of PRTS prepares students to serve in the academy and church through:

• P iety, P reaching, and P ublications: Throughout the program students are challenged to grow in their spirituality, and seek a healthy balance between academics and spiritual life; students called to a preaching ministry participate in a homiletics practicum to foster biblical and experiential preaching; and students are encouraged to engage in writing ministry during and upon completion of their studies. This writing ministry unfolds in three ways: publications in scholarly peer-reviewed journals, publications for the edification of the church, and publications designed to instruct the unsaved in a skeptical world. Moreover, the writing of a doctoral thesis keeps in mind a potential monograph for publication.
• R esearch and R eformed: Students demonstrate an advanced competency in theology—in particular Reformed theology—and mastery of relevant primary and secondary sources in one of the following disciplines: Historical Theology, Biblical Studies, or Homiletics. Students must demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of Reformed intellectual trajectories and traditions.
• T echnology and T eaching: Students demonstrate an advanced level use of digital sources, deployment of writing tools, and a God-honoring use of technology, internet, and social media for the dissemination of biblical, experiential, and practical thoughts. Students called to a teaching ministry participate in a teaching practicum.
• S cholarship (academics) and S cholarships (financial): Students are able to engage in international scholarly discourse that demonstrates independent inquiry, primary source research, critical reflection, analysis, and articulation of academic research. Since the Ph.D. program is fully funded, students pay no tuition fees other than those associated with their two required external courses.
• Admission Requirements

A second graduate degree in theology, such as an accredited ThM, MTh, or STM, is preferred for admission to the program. Exceptionally gifted students may be accepted into the program having an accredited MDiv, or first graduate degree in theology, such as an MA or MTS. Comparable degrees from institutions within or outside North America may be accepted provided schools can demonstrate that they meet the standards of the ATS Board-approved degrees for admission. Students with a first graduate degree in theology may also apply for the ThM (Master of Theology) program, and then apply for the PhD program after successful completion of three (3) ThM-level courses with a minimum GPA of 3.50.

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral program, the applicant must:

• be called to the ministry of teaching and/or preaching.
• demonstrate high potential for local and regional influence through future ministry of teaching and preaching after completion of studies.
• preferably possess a second master’s degree in theology from an accredited institute of higher learning, or in exceptional cases, a first master’s degree in theology from an accredited institute of higher learning.
• have teaching and / or preaching experience.
• adhere to the Three Forms of Unity and/or Westminster Standards (apart from a position on paedo- or credobaptism).
• demonstrate biblical piety and character.

It is recommended that applications for admission to the doctoral program be submitted no later than April 30 (for a fall-semester start) or October 30 (for a spring-semester start). The applicant will be informed about the decision of the Admissions Committee by the Director of Admissions shortly after a decision has been made. The Admissions Committee meets on a rolling basis approximately every two months. Applications are considered at the next available meeting only when all application components have been received.

The applicant must:

• have had an interview with the President, Program Director, or Director of Admissions.
• submit official and certified transcripts of all post-secondary education (demonstrating the possession of an undergraduate degree and at least a first master’s degree in theology).
• have an academic record with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher (or its equivalent).
• submit a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 158 or higher in the Verbal and Quantitative sections, and 5.0 or higher in the Analytical Writing component.
• submit a recent CV ( curriculum vitae ).
• submit a copy of a completed master’s degree thesis or major research paper.
• submit a three-page preliminary dissertation proposal.
• submit two academic references and one ecclesiastical references.
• Residency Requirement

Students are required to be in residence for one-half of the coursework; other required coursework, research, and dissertation writing may be completed off campus. Thus, given that the PhD concentrations each require twelve (12) courses, at least six (6) courses must be taken on campus.

This does not mean, however, that the accepted PhD student must relocate to Grand Rapids for these six (6) classes; rather, the majority of the PhD courses will be offered in modular or intensive (i.e., week-long) format, thus allowing the accepted student to travel back and forth to Grand Rapids, and still fulfill the residency requirement.

Because PRTS endeavors to create a community of learners within the doctoral program, each doctoral student is required to be on campus during the month of August at least once per year for the first three years of the student’s program, or until the student has completed the comprehensive examination. Apart from the modular courses that will occur during the month of August, special PhD seminars and dinners may be arranged. Furthermore, the PhD student is encouraged to attend the annual PRTS conference; this conference is always held near the end of August.

• Required Coursework and Credits

A total of twelve courses are required for the PhD program (including 2 external courses). PhD students in the Historical Theology (Reformation, Post-Reformation) program must take the following courses:

• CH900 Research Methodology – 3 credits
• CH901 Introduction to Reformation and Post-Reformation Studies – 3 credits
• BS/CH/ST902 Introduction to Reformed Spirituality and Piety – 3 credits
• BS/CH/ST991 Dissertation Proposal – 3 credits
• BS/CH/ST992 Teaching/Preaching Practicum – 3 credits

Students must take an additional seven courses for credit of which at least four courses must be from the area of concentration (designated by the prefix CH), one course from another doctoral concentration (either Biblical Studies or Systematic Theology), and two courses related to the student’s concentration must be taken from an external higher-education institution (an approved course partner of PRTS). Please consult the course schedule for doctoral courses related to the Historical Theology emphasis. Aside from these listed courses, students may upon approval enroll in CH999 – Directed Research, the course content and syllabus to be arranged between the student and the advisor.

• Dissertation Requirements

The following guidelines pertain to the PhD dissertation:

• Students must have an approved dissertation proposal.
• Students must offer in the dissertation an original research contribution that serves the academy and the church.
• Students will be assigned a supervisor and co-advisor; the student may recommend an external co-advisor to the supervisor and doctoral program committee. The recommendation may or may not be followed by the supervisor and doctoral program committee.
• The length of a dissertation is customarily between 80,000 and 100,000 words. This word limit includes footnotes, but excludes appendices and reference list / bibliography.
• It is strongly recommended that the dissertation be edited by a professional editor.
• The dissertation should include this dissertation letterhead as the first page.
• The submitted dissertation follow these guidelines .
• Upon acceptance of the dissertation by a three-fourths majority of the supervisor, co-advisor, and examiners, a public defense will be scheduled.

A final edited copy of the dissertation that incorporates suggestions of the supervisor, co-advisor, members of faculty, and examiners will be submitted no later than March 1 after acceptance of the doctoral work to the library of PRTS in electronic and paper format.

Dissertation Publication

Students are expected to:

• publish the dissertation with an internationally recognized academic publisher within one year after the public defense. The student will choose a publisher in consultation with the supervisor or,
• publish three articles as a result of the doctoral work in internationally recognized and peer-reviewed journals. The student will choose journals in consultation with the supervisor.
• publish the dissertation in such a form as to be of service to the church at large.
• Application for admission (non-refundable): $50.00
• Late registration fee: $50.00 per course
• Distance Education fee: $75.00 per course that is taken from a distance
• Graduation fee: $250.00

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Luther Seminary

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) is an advanced research degree designed to develop scholarly leadership for Christian churches and for work in the community of theological scholarship throughout the world. The degree is offered in history, theology, pastoral care and counseling and congregational mission and leadership. The program is deliberately theological and confessional without compromising its commitment to academic excellence and accountability.

The application for Fall 2024 is open. The application deadline is January 8, 2024.

Ph.D. Application Closed: Fall 2024

The Ph.D. program is designed to give students flexibility to propose and engage in a course of study that is individualized, interdisciplinary, integrative, contextual, and cross-cultural in nature.  Students in consultation with their principal advisor and the Advanced Theological Education office will craft a concentration that embodies their research interests and provides coherence to their study.

Program Learning Outcomes

Luther Seminary and its faculty aspire through its Ph.D. program to assist students in achieving the following learning outcomes:

• Interdisciplinary Understanding:  Graduates will demonstrate expertise in their chosen area of study that includes knowledge of the history, methods, ideas, and figures of their field, an understanding of the interdisciplinary dynamics between their field and one or more cognate disciplines, and the creative potential to advance theological scholarship.
• Scholarship:  Graduates will demonstrate the ability to critically engage an area of biblical, historical, or theological scholarship using appropriate research practices and methods of written and oral communication.
• Vocational Readiness:  Graduates will have vocational proficiencies necessary to faithfully serve and lead in the context of the church, academy, and/or society, including teaching, mentoring, collaboration, service, innovation, and theological leadership.
• Contextual Engagement:  Graduates will engage in productive practices of integrative contextual reflection that involve wrestling with issues of identity, culture, and context in light of the increasingly diverse and global Christian community.

Prerequisites

You must have a previous graduate-level theological degree from an accredited theological school. This could be a Master of Arts (in theological studies), Master of Divinity, or Bachelor of Divinity degree (or its equivalent).

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. program is normally completed in four years. The first and fourth years of study are years of residence. It is expected that all seminar and course requirements will be completed during the first two years of the program. Students will return for a two to three month period between years two and three to take comprehensive exams. The third and fourth years will be dedicated to the dissertation proposal, research and writing.

Students must complete a total of twelve courses, two language examinations, comprehensive exams, a thesis proposal, and a thesis. For a complete overview of degree requirements, please see the course catalog .

• Program information and general degree requirements
• Doctor of Philosophy Course Curriculum
• Admissions Information
• Candidacy Information

International Applicants

International applicants will be required to post an acceptable TOEFL or IELTS score, or submit other evidence indicating reading, writing and listening skills in the English language sufficient for graduate study at Luther Seminary. Priority may be given to qualified applicants who are recommended and given funding by entities with which the program may develop strategic alliances, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran World Federation and their ecumenical partners and members.

Costs and Key Dates

Full scholarship and tuition are available on a competitive basis. For more information, see the Tuition and Fees page.

Ph.D. Application

Degree Completion Requirements | Faculty

PhD in Theology

School of mission and theology, center for advanced theological studies.

The PhD in Theology program at Fuller Seminary equips faculty and other leaders through the cultivation of research capacities and skills, global sensibilities, ecclesial commitments, theological discernment, personal and vocational formation, and the craft of teaching and learning.

Rigorous Scholarship

Ecclesially Located

Diverse Learning Community

Mentor-Driven

Request More Information About the PhD in Theology

Contact Information

Faculty mentors work with PhD students in three primary concentration areas, New Testament, Old Testament, and Theological Studies.

In the Center for Advanced Theological Studies (CATS), “Theological Studies” is defined integratively, with students in this concentration working with faculty mentors specializing in Christian ethics, church history and historical theology, public theology, political theology, practical theology, Pentecostal studies, systematic theology, and theology and culture.

RESIDENTIAL AND HYBRID STUDY

Students may complete their work either in residence on Fuller Seminary’s Pasadena Campus or in a hybrid format.

Students participating in the hybrid modality complete the bulk of their coursework from a distance through synchronous and asynchronous participation in doctoral seminars. Hybrid modality students must complete 26 quarter units through hybrid coursework, which entails visiting campus on four separate occasions for approximately one week at a time.

Before You Apply

Fuller’s PhD in Theology prepares graduates for vocations as faculty in theological programs in seminaries, colleges, and universities; and as leaders in ecclesial and paraecclesial institutions and organizations devoted to serving the church in the world. The PhD program equips faculty and other leaders in several ways:

• Cultivating research capacities and skills
• Encouraging global sensibilities
• Nurturing ecclesial commitments
• Promoting theological discernment
• Fostering personal and vocational formation
• Training in the craft of teaching and learning

CONCENTRATIONS

PHD IN THEOLOGY STUDENTS PURSUE RESEARCH IN ONE OF THREE CONCENTRATION AREAS:

• New Testament
• Old Testament
• Theological Studies

THEOLOGICAL STUDIES CONCENTRATION STUDENTS PURSUE RESEARCH IN ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING RESEARCH DISCIPLINES:

• Christian Ethics
• Church History
• Historical Theology
• Liturgical Theology
• Practical Theology
• Public Theology
• Systematic Theology
• Pentecostal Studies
• Theology and Culture (arts and media)

GRADUATES OF THE PHD IN THEOLOGY PROGRAM SHOULD EVIDENCE THE FOLLOWING:

• A comprehensive knowledge of their field of theological study
• Research skills appropriate to an area of theological exploration, sufficient to engage in original research and writing that advances theological understanding in the service of the global church
• Critical reflection on the vocation of ecclesially informed theological scholarship, particularly with regard to teaching and learning, as well as research
• Hospitality toward diverse theological approaches and positions, traditional and emerging, characteristic of the church catholic
• Capacities for the cultivation of theologically reflective practices of Christian discipleship

Faculty Mentors

Explore a collection of videos featuring PhD faculty mentors discussing their areas of expertise and their thoughts on formational doctoral studies

Applying for Admission

Admission requirements.

Applicants must have a first theological master’s degree with a foundation in biblical languages (either an MDiv or Fuller’s MA in Theology, or its equivalent, from an ATS-accredited school), and a cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.5 or above. Applicants wishing to have their transcripts assessed concerning this requirement should contact the Office of Admissions for details.

During the PhD program, students will need to acquire skills in up to three research languages (in addition to required biblical language requirements), as needed for their concentration. It is highly recommended that applicants begin their study of research languages prior to beginning the program.

To be considered for admission to the PhD in Theology program, applicants must submit an online application, essay responses, writing sample, three academic references, and official transcripts from all prior post-secondary study. Applicants for whom English is a second language must provide test scores from an approved English language proficiency exam. Some requirements vary by concentration and/or research area of interest. Learn more about application requirements for Fuller’s PhD in Theology.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Online application opens: August 1 Application and file completion deadline: January 2 Notification date: March 15

Payton Lectures

Fuller Seminary's annual event brings in leading theologians from around the world for a multi-day series of lectures and conversations

Degree Completion Requirements

The phd is awarded upon successful completion of the following:.

• Research language requirements
• Coursework consisting of 58, 800-level units through seminars or directed readings
• Comprehensive examinations
• A dissertation proposal
• A scholarly dissertation based on research in the area of the student’s academic focus

The PROGRAM INCLUDES THESE COMPONENTS:

Stage One of the PhD program consists of 46 units of seminars and directed readings, including a methods seminar or foundational course in the student’s theological studies track. After 46 units have been completed, students will take four comprehensive examinations. Students who pass the comprehensive examinations will become candidates and move into Stage Two.

Stage Two of the PhD program consists of completing another 12 units of directed readings related to dissertation research and writing. Students will pass a dissertation proposal and write a dissertation demonstrating knowledge of field research, evidence of independent research, an original contribution to the field, and appropriate presentation and format.

• Students will have a primary mentor under whom they design their 58-unit program of seminars and directed readings.

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Fuller’s practice-oriented Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program encourages ministry leaders to think creatively, cultivate new skills, and nurture their hearts to pursue their calling with excellence and passion in an ever changing world.

Get to know your admissions counselor | Joel Short

I came to study at Fuller in 2004 and have worked on Fuller’s admissions team since I graduated in 2007. I am inspired by the many people I meet who are seeking to change the world by changing hearts and minds. I am privileged to listen to so many wonderful stories and to help pour light on the path. I love history and enjoy books, podcasts, museums, maps, antiques and anything else that helps me understand how the past relates to the present and the future.

[email protected] 626.584.5400

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The Doctor of Philosophy

Historical theology.

In addition to the stated purpose of the PhD program at SEBTS, the purpose of the PhD in Historical Theology is to prepare students who (1) desire to teach historical theology or a related discipline in colleges and seminaries; (2) desire to minister as pastor-theologians in local churches; (3) desire to use historical theology in their ministries in global mission contexts.

Modified Residency

Residential

At a Glance

phd introduction

phd integrative colloquium

phd research seminars

phd mentor directed studies

phd comprehensive exams

phd prospectus and dissertation

Total Hours

At Southeastern, I started seeing that all of life is worship and all of life has a missional intentionality to it. All of life has a missional thrust to it as life lived out before the face of God.

Thomas West MDiv and PhD Alum

PhD In Context

What can i do with this degree.

Teach in Higher Education

Do Academic Research

Serve the Local Church as a Pastor-Theologian

What Courses Will I Take?

Below is a sample of the required courses. To see a complete list, view the academic catalog .

• HTH 9640 – Seminar in Patristic Theology
• HTH 9700 – Seminar in Reformation Theology
• HTH 9800 – Seminar in Baptist Theology
• THE 9900 – Seminar on Contemporary Theology

My favorite part of teaching Theology is seeing students grasp the amazing wonder of Jesus Christ through a serious engagement with the Bible, growing their love for our Triune God.

Steve McKinion

Director of PhD and ThM Studies Professor of Theology and Patristic Studies

Who Will Teach Me?

Steven A. McKinion

Stephen B. Eccher

Charles Edward Lawless, Jr.

John S. Hammett

Need More Information?

Study to serve however you're called..

Veritas International University

Doctor of Philosophy in Archaeology & Biblical History

PhD Program Brochure

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Archaeology and Biblical History is a highly flexible program comprised of a 42 unit course of study that may be completed in as little as   2 years, but is designed for 48 months of full time study (approximately 6 units per semester). The student must complete a total of 42 units above a qualifying master’s degree either through distance education or residential attendance (or a combination of both) according to institutional policy regarding VIU credits, transfer credits, and allowances for advanced standing based on a portfolio as applicable.

The 42 units are divided into three 14-unit sections: (Section One) courses, workshop, laboratory, and/or arranged (independent) study courses, (Section Two) fieldwork at archaeological excavations, and (Section Three) dissertation.

• Section One – Courses. The 14 units of courses are completed by fulfilling the requirements set forth in a given syllabus. Courses can be taken either through a residential classroom, distance or arranged course, or by a combination of the two approaches.*
• Section Two – Fieldwork. The 14 units of fieldwork courses are 2 units each, and must be completed in conjunction with an approved archaeological excavation, field school, or study tour.
• Section Three – Dissertation. The student will complete a doctoral dissertation (14 units) comprised of original research. The 14-unit dissertation process is designed so that the student makes a significant contribution to the disciplines of archaeology and biblical studies/history.

The three sections combine to form an interdisciplinary program emphasizing organic, cause-and-effect relationships between biblical and ancient Near Eastern history discernable from archaeological, anthropological, and comparative literary inquiry, with the purpose of developing competent, biblically-grounded archaeologists who are able to:

• Perform and/or direct methodologically sound archaeological research, exploration, and excavation in the field.
• Demonstrate the historical reliability of biblical narratives via professional publication and media.
• Contribute to a hermeneutical framework that seeks to comprehend biblical texts in the light of ancient Near Eastern contexts.

Courses may be completed through the following venues or a combination thereof:

• Authorized VIU campus in Albuquerque, NM.
• VIU distance learning courses.
• Required fieldwork performed at an authorized archaeological excavation.
• Arranged independent distance courses (only if the course is not regularly offered)

Program Objectives

• To investigate and demonstrate that ancient Near Eastern history and biblical history, properly understood, constitute the same reality.
• To develop archaeological research and fieldwork skills to a significant level of competency.
• To apply dialogical analysis in the interpretation and application of archaeological data vis-à-vis the Bible.
• To articulate the value of archaeological data in defending the historical authenticity and accuracy of the Bible.
• To interpret biblical narratives from ancient Near Eastern contexts, including material culture and literature.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the PhD in Archaeology & Biblical History requires applicants to:

• Hold an MA (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution in an appropriate field (ancient Near Eastern history and/or archaeology, biblical history, anthropology, etc).
• Show high promise of future usefulness to the church and/or society as evidenced by a 500 word essay describing your archaeological goals, past accomplishments in the field, and potential benefit to society and/or the church.
• Submit a writing sample of a previously completed paper on a topic relating to archaeology and/or biblical history or ancient Near Eastern history.
• Have reading proficiency in biblical languages (Greek I and II/Hebrew I and II). If applicants have deficiency in biblical languages, admission may still be granted though additional language coursework may be required.
• Have the ability to handle doctoral level work in the English language. For non-native English speakers, a TOEFL exam may be required.

PhD Program Prerequisites

If the student enters the PhD in Archaeology and Biblical History program from the 66-unit VIU MA in Archaeology and Biblical History, then the PhD program will consist of 42 units: 14 units of workshop, laboratory, and/or arranged courses (Section One); 14 units of fieldwork (Section Two), and the 14-unit dissertation (Section Three).

If the student enters the PhD program with less than 48 units in their archaeology Masters program from another institution, then the number of required PhD program units may be raised accordingly to satisfy the deficiency. The PhD program director and VIU Academic Dean will review the student’s degree program, academic portfolio, fieldwork experience, and doctoral transfer credits (if any) in order to determine the configuration of the individual PhD program.

Section One: Course Requirements – 14 Units

The student will complete seven of the following workshops, laboratory, and arranged courses for a total of 14 units.

AR1020 Workshop: Ceramic Sorting: Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project (2 units)

AR1021 Workshop: Advanced Ceramic Typology (2 units)

AR1022 Workshop: Archaeological Drawing Techniques (2 units)

AR1023 Workshop: Architectural Reconstruction Drawing in Archaeology (2 units)

AR1050 Laboratory: Floatation Sample Analysis (2 units)

AR1051 Laboratory: Faunal and Human Bone Analysis (2 units)

AR1052 Laboratory: Object and Ceramic Conservation (2 units)

AR1180 Arranged Course (2 units)

AR1181 Arranged Course (2 units)

Section Two: Fieldwork Requirements – 14 Units

The student will complete the following seven archaeological fieldwork and methods requirements for a total of 14 units (2 units each):

AR1151, AR1152, AR1153, AR1154, AR1155, AR1156, AR1157

The rigor and procedures of archaeological data collection and the fundamentals of excavation methods and techniques are covered in these courses of study. Practical instruction in archaeological protocol(s) are discussed and evaluated. The use of current and emerging technologies, the integration of relevant disciplines, archaeometric techniques, and modern cultural protocols are topics of discussion in the Field School accompanying any approved archaeological excavation. The student will come away with a good sense of how an excavation project is organized, operated, and funded. The student will also gain a wealth of excavation experience, including experience at the supervisory level.

The student has multiple options for the completion of fieldwork requirements. A minimum of two field seasons at an approved excavation project in the Near East is a base requirement. Unit evaluations are based on the number of ACH of experience gained. Generally, 1 unit is allowed for each week (45 ACH) of participation. Additional assignment credit can be given based on project rigor and related items such as associated research, writing, and publication. A total of 14 units of excavation and related experience is required to fulfill the 14 units of this Section.

Section Three: Dissertation and Procedure/Guidelines – 14 Units

Under consultation of the Program Director, the student will select an acceptable topic on which to perform original research and write a doctoral dissertation (AR1551 Dissertation). The dissertation shall conform to SBL or Turabian format, with the text-proper being no less than 250 pages (not including bibliography, appendices, charts, tables, figures, etc.), and not exceeding 500 pages. Three VIU PhD faculty members and one external reader shall constitute the students dissertation committee. The topic must be: 1) a unique contribution to the field of study and 2) incorporate aspects of both archaeology and biblical history. The dissertation shall be defended before the committee and other members of the VIU PhD faculty. (See the AR1551 syllabus for details).

Comprehensive Examination

A comprehensive exam must be completed in order to determine the student’s proficiency in archaeology and biblical history, archaeological analysis, and the relevant literature. The comprehensive exam may be scheduled with the program director after all coursework and fieldwork have been completed. After the comprehensive exam is complete, the student may enroll in AR1551 Dissertation.

Time Limits

Students must complete all coursework, field study, and comprehensive exams within 5 years of first registration into the program. Students will then have 3 years from completing the comprehensive exam to complete the dissertation and live defense (Viva Voce) along with subsequent revisions.

For inquires, contact the program administrator, Jeannine Bulot. , [email protected]

Student Achievement

2021 Annual Report

2021 Annual Program Report

Accreditation and Assessment

Academic Catalog

Student Complaint Policy

Veritas International University (VIU) is an accredited non-profit 501(c)(3) religious corporation with its own Board of Directors, and without affiliation to any particular church organization, denomination, or another institution.

• Schools & departments

History of Christianity PhD, MPhil

Awards: PhD, MPhil

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: History of Christianity

Discovery Day

Join us online on 21st August to learn more about postgraduate study at Edinburgh.

Find out more and register

Research profile

If you would like to undertake research in the History of Christianity, you will find excellent specialist supervision and library resources.

Areas of particular research strength are:

• patristics and early Christian history
• the reformation in Britain and on the continent
• the history of British and European Christianity from the 18th century
• the history of Christian missions, especially in Africa, from the 18th century

You can find out more and identify a potential supervisor by looking at the School’s Staff Profiles, which give details of research interests and publications, and email addresses.

• School of Divinity staff profiles

We encourage you to contact a potential supervisor to discuss your research project before making a formal application.

At the School of Divinity, you will join a community of around 150 research students, drawn from around the world, and from a variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds.

You will study in a stimulating environment. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 ranked the School first in Scotland and fifth in the UK for its research power in theology and religious studies. The majority of the research activity of our colleagues is classed as world-leading, reflecting the vibrancy of the School’s research culture.

Training and support

The ethos of the Graduate School is to promote excellence in postgraduate study, within a stimulating and supportive environment. We value equality and diversity in the School community, and an academic culture that is both critical and constructive.

• At the start of the academic year, you will be invited to Welcome Week, an intensive introduction to study and life in Edinburgh. Some events are especially for international students new to Scotland and the UK, but everything is open to all.
• In the first weeks, the School provides a general orientation to research skills and to wider opportunities for training and support.
• From your first days as a PhD or MPhil student, you will work one-to-one with your primary research supervisor.
• Your progress will be tracked, through regular supervisions and milestone reviews, to ensure that you get the support you need to bring your project to fruition.
• You will be part of the research seminar in the History of Christianity, to which visiting speakers are invited and to which postgraduates present work-in-progress.
• If your interest is in Patristics, you can engage with the work of the Centre for the Study of Christian Origins.
• You will be able to follow taught courses that contribute to your interests and research needs, and can also take advantage of opportunities to learn ancient and modern languages.
• If you are a PhD student, after successful completion of your first year, you will be eligible to apply for tutoring opportunities, to gain teaching experience.

A University review (2015) commended the Graduate School for providing excellent support, such as being:

• responsive to student feedback
• proactive in helping new postgraduates to adjust to their studies and to life in Scotland
• enthusiastic and practical in promoting career development

The postgraduate student committee works closely with the School to make the research student experience the best it can be.

The School of Divinity, one of the largest centres for the study of religion in the United Kingdom, is located in the historic setting of New College, close to Edinburgh Castle and overlooking Princes Street.

Resources for research are excellent:

• You can draw on the outstanding holdings of New College Library, the University of Edinburgh’s main library, and the nearby National Library of Scotland.
• New College Library has one of the largest theology collections in the UK, with more than a quarter of a million items and a large and rich manuscript collection.
• The University library exceeds 2.25 million volumes.
• The National Library of Scotland – a ‘legal deposit’ library like the British Library in London and the university libraries of Oxford and Cambridge – is just around the corner.

The School provides an extensive programme of weekly research seminars and special guest lectures. In addition, three research centres provide a special focus for activity:

• the Centre for the Study of Christian Origins
• the Centre for Theology and Public Issues

the Centre for the Study of World Christianity

Find out more about our research

You will have access to excellent study facilities, dedicated to postgraduates. PhD and MPhil students have access 24/7, and can request an allocated desk. Masters by Research students have shared study space. All areas have printing/scanning and computer facilities.

The main postgraduate study wing has a kitchen. New College has an on-site cafe that is open during term time.

Choose your research programme

You can choose from two research programmes: the MPhil or PhD.

Each takes a different amount of time: the MPhil takes two years; a PhD takes at least three.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

Studying for an MPhil commits you to:

• at least two years of full-time study
• write a thesis of up to 50,000 words

You will have regular one-to-one supervision and work with advice from two supervisors.

During the first year, you explore your chosen area of research and refine your research proposal. At around the nine-month mark, you will submit a draft chapter for discussion at a Review Board, together with a developed proposal for the whole thesis.

On the basis of your progress and the prospects for your research, the Review Board will make recommendations on the continuation of your studies into the second year.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Research for a PhD will require you to undertake:

• at least three years of full-time study
• a thesis of up to 100,000 words

For admission to the PhD programme, you will need to show a proven ability to sustain independent research under supervision, normally in the form of a masters programme that includes a dissertation.

From the beginning, the British pattern of PhD studies focusses on working towards the thesis: there is little or no coursework. This means that from the start you need to be well-prepared in any special skills you need for your research project, including languages. You will also need to be competent in academic writing in English.

On the basis of your progress and the prospects for your research, the Review Board will make recommendations on the continuation of your studies into the second year. After that, you will have an annual review to discuss your progress.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

Masters by Research and MPhil: A UK 2:1 honours degree with a mark of at least 65%, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject. You should also have academic training in the area of your research project.

PhD: A UK 2:1 honours degree, a minimum US 3.25 GPA, or its international equivalent, and a masters degree in a relevant area. The masters degree should demonstrate a high level of attainment, normally with both coursework and a research dissertation marked at 67% or above (or its international equivalent, e.g. US 3.7 GPA). You should also have academic training in the area of your proposed research project.'

We may also consider your application if you have other qualifications or experience; please contact us to check before you apply.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Tuition fees.

Scholarships and funding

Featured funding.

School of Divinity scholarships

Scholarships are awarded on academic merit. Most are open to all, but some are ring-fenced for applicants from certain parts of the world.

• Awards are made for both masters and PhD programmes.
• Typically, awards are for full or partial fee costs. Fully funded awards are exceptional and highly competitive.

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Postgraduate Admissions
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 8952
• Contact: [email protected]
• Dr Simon Burton
• Contact: [email protected]
• School of Divinity
• New College
• Mound Place
• Central Campus
• Programme: History of Christianity
• School: Divinity
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD History of Christianity - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd history of christianity - 6 years (part-time), mphil history of christianity - 2 years (full-time), application deadlines.

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

You must submit a formal research proposal as part of your application.

• Research proposal guidance

You must also submit a sample of your written academic work (3,000-5,000 words).

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

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Description of PhD Program

The Religion PhD program provides an opportunity for qualified students to do graduate work in this discipline at the highest level and in the university setting. It provides preparation for research and teaching in graduate theological education and in the college and university setting where religion is taught as one of the liberal arts and in relation to other such disciplines, particularly the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. The Baylor program offers work in four areas: New Testament, Old Testament, Historical Studies, and Theological Studies (Historical Theology, Systematic Theology, Christian Ethics, Contemporary Theology, Religion and Literature).  Jump to:

I. Course Work II. Modern Foreign Languages III. Preliminary Examinations IV. Ph.D. Candidacy V. Teaching Colloquy VI. Dissertation VII. Calendar for Ph.D. Program Completion

I. Course Work

For the Ph.D. in religion, a total of forty-five (45) hours is required; nine (9) dissertation hours and thirty-six (36) semester hours (minimum) as indicated here:

• Major:  Thirty-three (24) semester hours (minimum) in the field declared as the area of concentration (Old Testament, New Testament, Historical Studies, Theological Studies). All courses in the major must be at the 5000 level.
• Elective Courses:  A total of six (9) semester hours of graduate courses within the Religion Department (but not in major or cognate field) or graduate courses in other departments. Electives should be chosen in consultation with area faculty, to enhance the research or teaching interests of the student.
• REL 5398:  Theories of Religion

II. Foreign Languages

The requirement of foreign languages as research tools is related to the major field of study and to research needs. The basic requirement is intermediate proficiency in two foreign languages, one of which must be attained prior to the fall semester. Methods for achieving the proficiency are described in the Graduate School Catalog. The following statements indicate the basic policy in each area:

• Old Testament and New Testament: The requirement is German and French. The area faculty may approve the substitution of another language for French if the student's research needs justify the substitution.
• Historical Studies: Students concentrating in Historical Studies will achieve intermediate proficiency in two languages, other than English, necessary to their chosen field of research. The two languages will be negotiated with Historical Studies Faculty and conveyed to the Office of Graduate Studies.
• Theological Studies: The requirement is German and French. The area faculty may approve the substitution of another language for French if the student's research needs justify the substitution.

Additional language study may be required in relation to research needs. One language must be completed before the beginning of course work in the fall semester, and the faculty recommends that all language work be completed in summer sessions. All foreign language requirements must be completed before students begin the last twenty-four semester hours of course work.

III. Qualifying Examinations

Doctoral students will pass qualifying events at the completion of course work as laid out by the faculty in each area. Each area will distribute their expectations to students at new student orientation.

IV. Ph.D. Candidacy

Admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. with a major in religion requires 1) satisfaction of foreign language requirements; 2) satisfactory completion of qualifying examinations; 3) approval of student's dissertation prospectus by Religion Graduate Faculty; and 4) certification by the Dean of the Graduate School.

V. Teaching Colloquy

The purpose of the teaching colloquy is to help students 1) gain insights into the intellectual development of students; 2) learn practical approaches to classroom instruction of REL 1310 and 1350; 3) receive exposure to modern theories of teaching and learning.

Graduate Ph.D. students normally receive the opportunity to teach courses within the religion department. Students wishing to teach must meet the following requirements:

• Successful completion of qualifying examinations
• Current enrollment or completion of REL 5399 (Teaching Colloquy)
• Attendance of mentoring sessions with appointed supervisor in their first semester of teaching.

VI. Dissertation

The final stage in the doctoral work is the satisfactory completion of a dissertation in accordance with  guidelines provided by the Department and by the Graduate School .

VII. Calendar for Ph.D. Program Completion

Department of Religion

College of Arts & Sciences

Tidwell Bible Building 575 James Avenue Waco, TX 76706

One Bear Place #97284 Waco, TX 76798-7284

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Master of Theology (ThM) in Church History Rooting the Present in Time-Tested Principles

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100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Liberty University’s Master of Theology in Church History Can Help You Use the Past to Impact Your Future in Ministry

Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Theology (ThM) in Church History degree can help you become more effective in your discipleship ministries by building a foundational knowledge rooted in the history of the Christian church. By engaging in courses focused on the historical development of Christian theology, classical Reformation, global Christianity, and American Christianity, you can gain a new level of expertise to use in your career. This program is often pursued by Christian educators, lay ministry leaders, and missionaries who are looking to expand their knowledge of the history of the Church following the completion of a Master of Divinity or its equivalent.

Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity provides ThM students with professors who have an abundance of experience in the field. As a student, you will gain a solid, biblically based education from our renowned faculty who bring a firm commitment to conservative evangelical theology to the classroom. While obtaining your Master of Theology degree, you can also build a strong network of like-minded individuals by collaborating with educators and fellow students.

Whether you want to conduct scholarly research, further your career in Christian service, or complete a degree program at the doctoral level, Liberty’s ThM in Church History degree online can help you pursue your passion and calling as you deepen your understanding of the Christian faith. You can learn about important foundations and historical movements within the Christian church and gain a valuable credential that can help you explore new employment opportunities. Partner with us and learn how to address challenges in the Church today by drawing on lessons from the past.

Accreditation

Liberty Theological Seminary, as part of Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, is accredited by the  Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools ( ATS ) . Your seminary degree is approved by ATS and has met rigorous accreditation standards, so you can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.

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Why Choose Liberty University’s Master of Theology Degree in Church History Online?

As a student in Liberty University’s Master of Theology in Church History program, you will have access to a variety of resources to help further your knowledge and skills. Our professors are committed to preparing you for a successful career as they teach you from a biblical worldview and help provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary to serve well in a ministry-related role.

Our Master of Theology in Church History degree is offered 100% online, which allows you to gain a quality education and still be involved with your family, in your job, and in your community.

Additionally, Liberty is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ), meaning your degree will be well-respected by organizations and employers across the nation.

Benefits of Pursuing Your Online Master of Theology at Liberty University:

• Unlike many online Bible colleges or seminaries, Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ).
• Our church history and theology degree online is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools ( ATS ).
• Our professors have years of experience in the field and are available to mentor and pray for you as you pursue your historical theology degree.

What Will You Study in Our Master of Theology in Church History Degree?

Your ThM courses will be filled with challenging, quality content that can help you feel more prepared and confident for your ministry. Our classes can give you a deeper understanding of Christian doctrine and how to confront contemporary doctrinal issues commonly seen today. You can gain a level of expertise in understanding the history of evangelicalism and how it molded the Church today.

Additionally, you will gain a global perspective of the Church when looking into cultural contexts, key personalities, and movements that contributed to the spread and identity of global Christianity. After completing your theology degree, you can be better prepared to make an impact in your community through deep biblical teaching and a thorough understanding of the Church’s history.

Our ThM degree in church history can help give you a new range of skills and knowledge as you work to further the Great Commission. By engaging in our theology degree online, you can become equipped to make a bigger impact than ever before.

Potential Career Opportunities

Our Master of Theology degree provides quality training that can help you thrive in the following roles:

• Bible instructor
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• CHHI 610 – Historical Development of Christian Theology
• CHHI 620 – History of Global Christianity
• CHHI 660 – American Christianity
• CHHI 670 – History of Evangelicalism

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• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system) showing regionally or nationally accredited degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels are required. Transcripts must show a Master of Divinity (or M.Div. equivalent — see M.Div. Equivalency Policy below) with a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission in good standing. Please note: Students that confer a master’s degree with Liberty University and apply for the Th.M. must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in order to gain admissions. Students with an LU graduate GPA below 3.0 will be denied admission.
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M.Div. Equivalency Policy

• Regionally or nationally accredited seminary degree with at least a 3.0 GPA for admission in good standing
• 72 accredited graduate hours (any graduate credit)
• 9 hours in graduate-level Bible and/or theology
• 9 hours in graduate-level church history, apologetics, evangelism, discipleship, global studies, leadership, homiletics, and/or church ministries

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
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• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

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An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

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These benefits also apply to the MA in Pastoral Counseling, which falls under the School of Behavioral Sciences.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do with a master of theology in church history online.

This Christian religious history degree can help you pursue a variety of roles in academia, nonprofit organizations, parachurch settings, and church leadership. It can also help prepare you for a doctoral divinity program , such as the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) .

What is the difference between a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology in Church History?

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is a graduate-level program designed to help you pursue various roles in ministry, particularly if you want to become an ordained pastor. At 75 credit hours, Liberty’s Master of Divinity offers a rigorous curriculum that can help you gain in-depth knowledge of the Greek and Hebrew languages, discipleship, apologetics, evangelism, and other related disciplines.

In contrast, the Master of Theology (ThM) is a postgraduate program, which means it’s designed to be completed after you’ve earned a master’s degree. Our ThM in Church History is a step above a master’s degree and a step below a doctorate.

If you already hold an MDiv (or an equivalent degree), Liberty’s Master of Theology in Church History degree program provides additional training beyond the master’s level to help you further hone your research and ministry skills. At just 30 credit hours, our Christian history degree online can help you gain specialized knowledge and pursue your goals.

What are the benefits of pursuing a ThM in Church History?

An important benefit of studying church history is that you can draw on lessons from the past to help strengthen your ministry and personal walk with God — allowing you to make a difference in the Church today. Our professors have years of ministry experience and are committed to Training Champions for Christ .

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Recommendations for a Master's and PhD in Church History

• Thread starter Greg Hitt
• Start date Jul 24, 2019

Puritan Board Freshman

• Jul 24, 2019

I have become most interested in studying church history and the historical theories developed or employed. I have a BA in History in which much of the courses I took were early church and Baptist histor . I'm looking to re-enter the history worl . Any thoughts, advice, recommendations? I've heard many church historians mention to get good instruction in Patristic . I am a reformed Baptist, but am open to wherever is needed for good training in this area. Thanks!  

Why a PhD? {check signature rules}  

To teach at a seminary, university, public theology initiative, etc. Most require a PhD.  

Puritan Board Professor

RamistThomist

Puritanboard clerk.

So as you're contemplating which disciplinary portal you should pass through, ask yourself this question: Which 101 course would I be most happy teaching? While you're probably going to be dreaming about all the cool advanced seminars you'll be able to teach with majors, you need to keep in mind that your bread-and-butter is going to be teaching the introductory course in your discipline, the so-called "101" class. While you might find it hard to determine whether you're a philosopher, a theologian, or a literary critic, you do need to decide which introductory class you'd like to spend a lifetime teaching. Is it THEO 101 or PHIL 101 or ENGL 101? Click to expand...

Puritanboard Commissioner

• Jul 25, 2019

Romans922 said: I'd also start learning Latin, Greek, etc. Click to expand...

Greg Hitt said: To teach at a seminary, university, public theology initiative, etc. Most require a PhD. Click to expand...

Around the mid to late 2000s there was a glut on the market on PhDs. Are you going to teach at a cutting edge university? Yes? Then get your PhD from a cutting edge university. Are you going to teach at a seminary? Then you can probably get yours from a seminary.  

Puritan Board Junior

BayouHuguenot said: Around the mid to late 2000s there was a glut on the market on PhDs. Are you going to teach at a cutting edge university? Yes? Then get your PhD from a cutting edge university. Are you going to teach at a seminary? Then you can probably get yours from a seminary. Click to expand...

iainduguid said: Maybe. But if you look at most good seminaries, the majority of their faculty have PhD's from cutting edge universities. There may be exceptions (like Systematic Theology or Apologetics), but those are the exception not the rule. And I say that as someone teaching at a seminary that has a PhD program... Click to expand...

whippersnapper

If you're Reformed Baptist and want to study Patristics then this is easy: go study under Michael Haykin!  

Alan D. Strange

Puritan board senior.

Greg Hitt said: Any thoughts, advice, recommendations? Click to expand...

Puritan Board Doctor

Find out where Richard Muller lives. Then, offer to wax his car (do people still do that?), vacuum his house, or anything else he might want in order to listen to him talk about church history and historical theology. If you're interested in the post-Reformation era, he's pretty much the gold standard. Oh, you'd probably better mow his lawn, too.  

Reformed Covenanter

Cancelled commissioner.

My advice is don't a PhD. It will make you less, not more employable. No matter how good your scholarship is, you have to deal with the reality that the Leftists pull most of the strings and their in-group preference is fierce. While some Christian and conservative people may continue to slip through the net, I would not get your hopes up for the time being.  

Tempus faciendi, Domine.

• Jul 26, 2019

Become an archivist instead. A Master's degree alone is sufficient. (a good program in archives is easier to find in a Canadian university). All the fun of research and none of the drudgery of teaching!  

Edward said: I would probably throw in German, as well. Click to expand...

• Jul 27, 2019

Alan D. Strange said: Yes. But first, you are presumably looking to teach at a Christian College or Seminary. Am I right? What you describe leads in that direction. If you can clarify which (college or seminary), I have more to say afterwards. Peace, Alan Click to expand...

Hamalas said: If you're Reformed Baptist and want to study Patristics then this is easy: go study under Michael Haykin! Click to expand...

Greg Hitt said: Any reformed, reformed Baptist, conservative seminary. Any Christian university that is friendly toward the reformed. Click to expand...

ZackF said: There is also the fact of really stiff competition. I had considered the academic path over two decades ago. The outlook was bleak then and much worse now. Brick and mortar university professorships are few and dwindling. Click to expand...

• Jul 28, 2019

Alan D. Strange said: Thanks, Greg. That's helpful. Now that the focus is clear, I have an additional follow-up: I assume that if you wish to teach in a seminary that you would desire to do so in ordained ministry. Is that correct? I do not think that you should for a moment think about doing so otherwise. Some have taught in seminary without ordination, but I see no proper warrant (biblically or historically) for doing so. If you are going to teach those who would be preachers and teachers in the church, you yourself should be such a preacher/teacher, in addition to whatever specialized knowledge you may have. More on this if this is seminary is your goal. Teaching in a Christian college may be different. One might teach, say, in the history department of such without ordination, though those in the religion department, especially, may well be ordained. At any rate, would it be your intention to pursue ordained ministry in this endeavor? This is a more important and previous question than whether to go for a Ph.D. If you're answer is "yes," many things come into view, including the need to go to seminary for an M.Div. Peace, Alan Click to expand...

Greg Hitt said: I am interested in ordination as a teaching or preaching elder in the reformed Baptist church. I am considering MDiv programs and focused MA programs. For a good amount of church history and historical theology, would any program do or are there better options? Click to expand...

Timotheos said: Can I ask a frank but serious question? I had someone ask me this before I began my PhD (and after my ThM), and I am so thankful he did. Is it worth it for you and for the church ministry you will potentially have to pay the money and do the work (which is massive!) and sacrifice the family time (which is a precious sacrifice!!!) and perhaps by God's providence NOT get a job in seminary or college? If yes, then I will offer some advice based on my own experience as I am an advocate for a scholar/theologian/pastor model. And I find that the best explainers of theology are historical theologians. But I'm a biblical studies guy. So what do I know? If you want a thoroughly RB route, IRBS for your MDiv which transfers into PRTS for a PhD. If I was your QB, that is the route I'd tell you to run. Click to expand...

• Jul 29, 2019

Steve Curtis

Greg, I am not sure that this comports with Alan's counsel, but I do think it wholly appropriate for you to initiate the conversation. That is, you may certainly approach your pastor/elders and inform him/them of the internal call that you believe to have received and humbly ask that they assess and advise. Likewise, along the path of your life and ministry (if, indeed, your call is confirmed), I do not advise a wholly passive posture. We must always operate within the ordained order of the church, to be sure, but that doesn't always mean that we sit idly by, waiting for others to urge us onward. The history of the church - particularly her history of missions - is replete with men who were, for all intents and purposes, trailblazers. Again, we must seek confirmation of the "trail" we wish to "blaze," but we need not wait for someone to push us in that direction!  

kainos01 said: That is, you may certainly approach your pastor/elders and inform him/them of the internal call that you believe to have received and humbly ask that they assess and advise. Click to expand...

Greg Hitt said: Yes. I would love to go to IRBSTS. However, they are resident only, so far. I would have to move to Texas to attend, and I can't do that now. Family and full time job, plus we just bought a house. I thought about going to New Geneva Theological Seminary here in Colorado Springs, but they're not accredited yet. Then again, neither is IRBS. Most seminaries require an accredited MDIV these days from my understanding. Click to expand...

Alan D. Strange said: I do counsel men who say that they want a Ph.D. and to teach (in seminary) to submit themselves to their brethren in the Lord. Click to expand...

kainos01 said: Forgive me for interpreting it wrongly. Click to expand...

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Gordon-Conwell Launches Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies (PhD)

Following approval from the Association of Theological Schools, the New England Commission of Higher Education, and the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary announces the launch of its first academic doctoral program. The Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies (PhD) will prepare global Christian leaders to conduct rigorous scholarship and teach theological studies while also cultivating spiritual depth and personal integrity. Prospective students may begin reviewing program information at gcts.edu/phd , and applications for the inaugural Fall 2025 class will open this August.

For decades, Gordon-Conwell has offered a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program, the highest professional degree for men and women already successfully engaged in ministry. The PhD is an academic doctoral path that primarily seeks to support faculty development for seminaries in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia. It was developed as a response to the growing need for academicians to equip leaders for the Church in the Global South, as well as a response to the seminary’s strategic plan that emphasizes magnifying high academic standards, deepening spiritual and character formation in students, and extending global, missional engagement.

“Since our founding in 1969, we have equipped over 12,000 alumni to serve in more than 100 countries worldwide,” said President Scott W. Sunquist, who will also serve as a PhD program supervisor. “The launch of our PhD ushers in a new beginning for Gordon-Conwell that is firmly anchored in our historic commitment to the full development of our students, for the full flourishing of the global Church.”

“What makes our PhD unique is the integration of scholarly and theological formation with spiritual formation,” adds Dr. Adonis Vidu, PhD program director and Andrew Mutch Distinguished Professor of Theology. “We believe in theology ‘done on one’s knees,’ and we envision a discipleship-like relationship between students and their faculty supervisors. We want to equip our student scholars to invest in the spiritual development of their future students and the Church through the academy.”

During the application process, students will select a faculty supervisor and either the Theology/Ethics or Mission/World Christianity concentration. They will work closely with their dedicated faculty supervisor for the duration of their studies, with coursework and dissertation work happening uniquely in tandem. Gordon-Conwell’s PhD faculty supervisors include Dr. Gwenfair Adams, Dr. Glenn Butner, Dr. Donald Fairbairn, Dr. Todd Johnson, Dr. Autumn Ridenour, President Scott Sunquist, Dr. Adonis Vidu, and Dr. Xiyi Yao. Collectively, their expertise spans Medieval and Byzantine theology to contemporary missiology, and ancient Asian Christianity to theological, philosophical, and social ethics.

Because of the seminary’s commitment to residential theological education and vibrant community life, the four-year PhD in Theological Studies begins with a two-year residency on Gordon-Conwell’s residential campus in Hamilton, Massachusetts. Upon completion of their residency and comprehensive exams, students return to their context to finish their dissertations.

President Sunquist shares that helping students graduate debt-free is another distinctive of the program. “We want our PhD graduates to be unburdened by debt, so we will have full-tuition fellowships for domestic students through the Partnership Program—a one-of-a-kind program focused on teams of prayer and financial support—as well as limited full fellowships for international students who demonstrate financial need.”

There will be a maximum of seven students admitted into the program per year. Those interested in receiving more information can visit the Theological Studies PhD page.

July 10, 2024

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Doctor of Philosophy in Historical and Theological Studies

Program snapshot.

Prepare to serve the church and the academy with the premiere faculty in Church History and Systematic Theology.

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.

Advance your education. Grow in your love for God.

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.

Students can be supervised by the following faculty:

Church history.

Michael A. G. Haykin

Stephen O. Presley

Gregory A. Wills

Research Interests

John D. Wilsey

Shawn D. Wright

Systematic theology.

Gregg R. Allison

Bruce A. Ware

Stephen J. Wellum

Frequently asked questions.

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

• All required materials must be submitted to the Office of Admissions by the appropriate deadline (see “Admissions” tab 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 remotely via Zoom (travel to campus not required) once each month.
• 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 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 the PhD concentrations in Christian Apologetics, Christian Philosophy, Christian Ethics, Ethics and Public Theology, and Philosophy and Theological Studies, the 72 hours may consist of an M.A. or equivalent in the field (60 hours minimum in specific disciplines), with the addition of 12 credit hours in biblical languages
• For the PhD concentrations in Christian Worship, Biblical Counseling and Practical Theology, Leadership, Missions, Evangelism, and World Religions, an M.A. or equivalent in the field (60 hours minimum in specific disciplines) may be acceptable.
• Students requiring additional coursework may attend Southern Seminary as a “Doctoral Leveling Student” online or on-campus.
• 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  [email protected] .

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 [email protected] 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.  You may upload this research paper directly onto the application.
• $40 application fee –  paid after application submission.

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.

Ready to learn more?

Prospective doctoral students are invited to visit Southern Seminary.

Program Cost

$1,000 down payment, and remaining balance due equally over 48 months.*

*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.

Contact Admissions

Phone: (502) 897-4200

Text: (502) 305-3554

Email: [email protected]

Are you ready to become a pastor, counselor, or church leader who is Trusted for Truth?

Request information.

Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks? What we know about the Donald Trump rally shooter

A 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania has been identified as the suspect who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a political rally in the United States, law enforcement officials said.

Thomas Matthew Crooks has been named as the "subject involved" in the incident, the FBI said in a statement.

Crooks, who was killed by Secret Service snipers at the scene, was from Bethel Park, close to where the rally was held on Saturday local time.

Bethel Park School District confirmed in a statement that Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. 

This is what we know so far about the suspect and how the shooting played out. 

What do we know about the shooter?

Mr Trump was injured when multiple shots were fired at the stage, but the former president's campaign says he is doing "fine".

One attendee was killed and two critically injured in the incident, according to authorities. 

Crooks had not been attending the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

He is suspected of carrying out the attack from a rooftop on a building outside the event.

Witnesses said they alerted police to a gunman on the roof of the building, which was about 120 metres away from the stage where Mr Trump began giving an address at around 6:02pm (8:02am Sunday AEST).

They spotted the suspected shooter several minutes before shots rung out and Mr Trump fell to the ground, rising moments later with blood streaming down his face.

So far, the FBI has only released Crooks's name, age and where he lived. 

They earlier said the gunman was not carrying identification, so they analysed his DNA to provide a biometric confirmation of his identity. 

Bethel Park, where Crooks lived, is about an hour south of Butler. 

The Federal Aviation Administration said on Sunday that the airspace over the Bethel Park was closed "effective immediately" for special security reasons.

Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022, according to a statement from the Bethel Park School District.

"Our school district will cooperate fully with the active law enforcement investigation surrounding this case, and as such, we are limited in what we can publicly disclose," the statement read.

"The school district wishes to express its sincere wishes for a speedy and complete recovery for Mr. Trump and those in attendance at the Saturday event who may have been physically harmed or emotionally impacted by these tragic events." 

He received a $US500 ($740) "star award" from the National Maths and Science Initiative , according to a local media report.

State voter records show that Crooks was a registered Republican and the upcoming election would have been the first time he was old enough to vote.

When Crooks was 17 he made a $US15 donation to ActBlue, a political action committee that raises money for left-leaning and Democratic politicians, according to a 2021 Federal Election Commission filing.

The donation was earmarked for the Progressive Turnout Project, a national group that rallies Democrats to vote. The groups did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Crooks's father, Matthew Crooks, 53, told CNN that he was trying to figure out what happened and would wait until he spoke to law enforcement before speaking about his son.

What weapon was involved?

Two officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, saying an AR-style rifle was recovered at the scene.

AR-style rifles are common in mass shootings in the US, said Professor David Smith from the United States Studies Centre.

They are affordable, lightweight and semi-automatic, meaning they can fire multiple rounds quickly. 

Mr Trump was discussing border crossing numbers when the shots, at least five, were fired.

He released a statement on his Truth Social platform describing the moment he was struck.

"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin," he wrote.

Up to a dozen of the deadliest mass shootings in the US since 2006 have involved an AR-15.

Semi-automatic rifles such as the AR-15 have been banned in the past, but are currently widely available in most states. 

President Joe Biden has been calling to reinstate a nationwide ban that expired in 2004.

"One of my fears is that even though most of the major assassination attempts of the 20th century actually led to significant advances in gun control, this one will not," Professor Smith told ABC News channel.

"This doesn't seem like a moment where Americans are going to ask themselves whether things have gone too far with this violence.

"Instead, this seems more like a moment that is going to accelerate the current polarisation."

Possible motives?

The FBI, which is leading the investigation, told reporters that it's too early to say whether the shooter acted alone and have not provided a motive.

But police do not believe there is "any other existing threat out there".

The FBI is calling for people with video of the event or information to share it with authorities.

Professor Claire Finkelstein from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, said we are likely to learn more about possible motives in the coming days.

She noted there has been an increase in political violence. 

"We have seen an increase in violent rhetoric around political events of all sorts, and political cause," Professor Finkelstein told ABC News. 

"And the irony is, of course, that Trump himself has fomented some of this violent rhetoric. 

"I think this is a lesson to all of us about how dangerous it is for politicians to increase the violent rhetoric around their campaigns and around their causes."

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle have briefed President Joe Biden.

They are working with law enforcement partners to respond to and investigate the shooting, Mr Mayorkas said on X.

Republican US House Speaker Mike Johnson also said the House will conduct a full investigation of the attack on Trump's campaign rally.

"The American people deserve to know the truth," Mr Johnson said.

"We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other appropriate officials from DHS and the FBI appear for a hearing before our committees ASAP."

• X (formerly Twitter)

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Reporting by Nathan Layne and Gabriella Borter in Bethel Park, Jasper Ward and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Additional reporting by Aaron Josefczyk in Bethel Park, Brendan O'Brien in Chicago, Tyler Clifford in New York, and Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Editing by Paul Thomasch, Lisa Shumaker and Lincoln Feast.

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Gabriella Borter is a reporter on the U.S. National Affairs team, covering cultural and political issues as well as breaking news. She has won two Front Page Awards from the Newswomen’s Club of New York - in 2020 for her beat reporting on healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2019 for her spot story on the firing of the police officer who killed Eric Garner. The latter was also a Deadline Club Awards finalist. She holds a B.A. in English from Yale University and joined Reuters in 2017.

Thirteen killed in Bangladesh protests over job quotas

Thirteen people were killed as thousands of students armed with sticks and rocks clashed with armed police in Dhaka on Thursday, the worst day of violence so far in protests in Bangladesh against a policy that sets quotas for the allocation of government jobs.