Theology for the Church (Ph.D.)

The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in theology for the church navigates a course between the doctor of ministry (D.Min.) and the traditional university Ph.D. The former has the church in view with the research component of the degree targeted at practical and measurable outcomes in ecclesial life. The latter lends itself to discipline-specific coursework and graduates prepared for life in academia. Beeson Divinity School’s Ph.D. is a robust, academic postgraduate degree whose ideal student/graduate has a theological vocation in ecclesial life. As such, the Ph.D. in theology for the church prepares graduates to be “jacks of all trades and masters of one.” Rather than settling on a theological discipline from the outset of the degree, students will take a series of required seminars spanning the disciplines. These seminars do not aim at broad coverage since such coverage is assumed for admission to the program. Rather, these seminars are a deep dive into research-level postgraduate study across the disciplines of biblical studies/theology, church history and doctrine, and the practice of theology. After taking the required seminars, students will then turn toward the “master of one” component of their research. In consultation with a faculty supervisor, students will settle on a dissertation topic in their preferred theological discipline: biblical studies/theology; history and doctrine; or practical/homiletical theology.

Accreditation is pending from The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) for the new doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in theology of the church (starting Spring 2024).