Location
Curriculum
45 credit hours
Program Length
3 years
Accreditation
Regionally Accredited by SACSCOC
Earn your doctoral degree in Biblical Studies
The PhD in Biblical Studies program is for those who want to teach in post-secondary theological higher education both nationally and internationally. If you want a program that offers you the advanced knowledge and skills needed to research, write, and make a scholarly contribution to the fields of Old Testament or New Testament Studies, the PhD in Biblical Studies program is for you.
What You'll Learn
- Research and write at an advanced level of biblical scholarship under the functional authority of Scripture.
- Make a scholarly contribution to the field of Old Testament or New Testament Studies.
- Present research results in a professional, organized, coherent, and structured manner in both written and oral form.
- Function responsibly in the context of a supervisory relationship while exhibiting CIU’s core value of victorious Christian living.
Program Length
Three years of full-time study or five years of part-time study.
Why Study Biblical Studies Online at CIU?
- Program design allows you to focus on research and writing from the beginning of your studies.
- Non-residential modality allows you to pursue your degree without relocating.
- Affordable tuition rate includes books and saves you up to 50% more than the tuition rate of other seminary Ph D programs .
- Experienced faculty mentors provide individualized guidance in areas of their particular expertise.
- Accredited regionally by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, nationally by the Association of Biblical Higher Education, and professionally by the Association of Theological Schools.
| Institution | Total Tuition |
|---|---|
| Columbia Biblical Seminary | $22,950 |
| Liberty University | $36,195 |
| Regent University | $40,200 |
| Asbury Theological Seminary | $42,000 |
| Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary | $45,500 (non-SBC rate) |
| Dallas Theological Seminary | $45,508 |
| Trinity Evangelical Divinity School | $52,200 |
What Will I Study?
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Course of Study: The online PhD (Biblical Studies) degree consists of 45 credit hours. |
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Phase 1: Foundational Seminars (9 hours) |
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BIB 9200 BLG 9690 BIB 9400 RES 9690 BIB 9900 |
Issues and Methods in Biblical Studies Biblical Language Competency Principles of Teaching, Learning, and Course Design Research Language Competency 1 Dissertation Proposal |
3 0 3 0 3 |
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Phase 2: Dissertation Research and Writing (24 hours) |
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BIB 9901 BIB 9902 RES 9691 BIB 9903 BIB 9904 BIB 9000 |
Biblical Studies Dissertation Research and Writing 1 Biblical Studies Dissertation Research and Writing 2 Biblical Studies Research Language Competency 2 Biblical Studies Dissertation Research and Writing 3 Biblical Studies Dissertation Research and Writing 4 Biblical Studies Comprehensive Knowledge Review |
6 6 0 6 6 0 |
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Phase 3: Dissertation Review and Defense (12) |
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BIB 9905 BIB 9906 |
Biblical Studies Dissertation Research and Writing 5 Biblical Studies Dissertation Review and Defense |
6 6 |
Admission Requirements
- Application
- Official transcript from accredited institution (all graduate level work)
- Completed MA, MDiv, or ThM with 3.5 GPA
- Submit Master’s thesis or major research paper, approximately 5,000-6,000 words (20-24 pages)
- Submit research proposal (approximately 500 words)
- Biblical languages:
- Biblical Studies: New Testament (4 semesters of Greek; 2 semesters of Hebrew)
- Biblical Studies: Old Testament (4 semesters of Hebrew; 2 semesters of Greek)
- 2 Academic References
- Interview with admissions committee
- *International requirements when appropriate
Graduates with a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies degree can go on to become:
- Instructors and leaders in global theological education
- Seminary and University instructors in North America
- Academic deans
- Consultants in theological education
- Authors and editors