- What are the prerequisite degrees for the Ph.D. program?
Applicants must hold the M.Div., Th.M., or S.T.M. degree, or their equivalent. Applicants holding the M.Div. degree will apply to Stage 1 of the Ph.D. program. Applicants holding the Th.M. or S.T.M. degree will apply to Stage 2 of the Ph.D. program.
- Is there a minimum GPA requirement in order to be considered for the Ph.D. program?
Normally a GPA of 3.5 or higher is required for admission to the Ph.D. program. However, all areas of an applicant’s background are considered in the application process.
- Am I required to take the GRE?
No. At present we do not require the completion of the GRE for application purposes.
- What are the Greek and Hebrew requirements for the Ph.D. program?
Applicants entering Stage 1 must give evidence either by transcript or by examination of at least one year of study in biblical Hebrew and two years of study in New Testament Greek. Applicants entering Stage 2 must give evidence either by transcript or by examination of at least two years of study in biblical Hebrew and two and a half years of study in New Testament Greek. Any deficiencies in these areas must be made up without credit in the Ph.D. program.
- Must a master’s thesis be completed before applying to the Ph.D. program?
Applicants holding the M.Div. degree and applying to Stage 1 of the Ph.D. program will complete a master’s thesis once admitted to Stage 1 of the Ph.D. program.
Applicants holding the Th.M. or S.T.M. degree may apply to Stage 2 of the Ph.D. program while their thesis is in process. However, the thesis must be satisfactorily completed prior to full acceptance into Stage 2 of the Ph.D. program.
- How many credit hours are required for completion of the Ph.D. program?
Stage 1 requires completion of 26 credit hours (including a 2 credit hour thesis). Stage 2 requires completion of 35 credit hours (including a 3 credit hour dissertation).
- How do I advance from Stage 1 of the Ph.D. program to Stage 2?
Either upon completion of all Stage 1 course work, or during your last semester of Stage 1 course work, you must satisfactorily complete a written and oral qualifying exam for advancement to Stage 2 of the Ph.D. program. Once you satisfactorily complete all course work and the written and oral qualifying exams, you may advance to Stage 2.
- What if I do not pass the qualifying exams for advancement from Stage 1 to Stage 2 of the Ph.D. program?
If you do not pass the qualifying exams for advancement to Stage 2 of the program, you may elect to transfer your credits into the S.T.M. degree program. You can then complete an additional six credit hours to earn the S.T.M. degree.
- Can I transfer any master’s courses into Stage 1 of the Ph.D. program?
Transfer of master’s level courses into Stage 1 of the Ph.D. program is rare, but it is considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Can I transfer any Ph.D. course work from another institution?
Normally work done in other institutions may not be credited toward Stage 2 of the Ph.D. program.
- Must I have reading proficiency in French or German before applying to the program?
Reading proficiency in French and German is not necessary before applying to the Ph.D. program. Once admitted to the Ph.D. program, a student must demonstrate proficiency in one modern language before the completion of the first semester of Stage 2 course work and must demonstrate proficiency in the second modern language before the completion of the third semester of Stage 2 course work. Courses in Reading Theological French and Reading Theological German are offered in alternating summer terms subject to availability of staff. Students may take and satisfactorily complete those courses to meet the modern language requirements or they may study on their own and take a proficiency exam given through the Ph.D. Studies Office.
- Can other modern languages be substituted for French and German?
In most cases French and German are preferable for research purposes. However, a student may petition for a substitution if his/her dissertation research requires reading of sources primarily in another language.
- Do you provide any online or distance learning courses?
Our Ph.D. program is strictly a resident program. We do not offer online or distance learning courses.
- What is the residency requirement?
All of Stage 1 of the Ph.D. program must be completed on the Dallas campus. Stage 2 of the Ph.D. program requires a minimum of two years in residence, at least one semester of which must be for dissertation research.
- How long does it normally take to complete the Ph.D. program?
Stage 1 of the Ph.D. program must be completed within two years from the time of matriculation. Stage 2 of the Ph.D. program normally includes at least three years of study but must be completed within eight years from the time of matriculation.
- Do you offer any financial aid for Ph.D. students?
Scholarships are available for students in the Ph.D. program who meet the scholarship criteria. For a listing of available scholarships and eligibility criteria, see the General Information section of the seminary catalog. For general information regarding financial aid, see the Financial Information section of the seminary catalog as well as the Financial Aid Department. A limited amount of financial aid is available to international Ph.D. students.
- What are the application deadlines?
The application deadline for the fall semester is January 1. The application deadline for the spring semester is September 1.
- When is the Stage 2 written qualifying exam given?
For entrance into Stage 2 in the fall semester, the written qualifying exam is given on or before the third Monday of February. For entrance into Stage 2 in the spring semester, the written qualifying exam is given on or before the third Monday of October.