At Southeastern, the Ph.D. program is designed to help the church fulfill the Great Commission. All authority is given to Christ, so his reign extends to every area of life - including the intellectual and academic life. Because of his authority, Christ’s followers go into the world and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all things that he has commanded (Matthew 28:19). At Southeastern, we believe that the best scholarship at the highest level rightly rests under the lordship of Jesus. We pursue scholarship to honor our king, serve the Church, and fulfill the Great Commission.
The Ph.D. degree at Southeastern is an advanced academic research degree in the major areas of Biblical Studies, New Testament, Old Testament, Theological Studies, Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, Philosophy of Religion, Counseling, Apologetics and Culture, Theology and Worship, Applied Theology, Preaching and Christian Leadership. In the area of Biblical Studies, students may concentrate in Old Testament, New Testament, or Biblical Theology. In the area of Theological Studies, students may concentrate in Systematic Theology, Philosophy of Religion, Historical Theology, Christian Ethics and Public Theology. In the area of Applied Theology, students may concentrate in Counseling, Christian Leadership, or Missiology (International or North American track).
The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of three academic years (6 semesters) for completion: two-years (4 semesters) of coursework prior to the dissertation stage and one full year (2 semesters) for dissertation work. Students must complete the program within seven years.
The Ph.D. program offers both residential and modified residency formats, depending upon the area of study. All seminar and degree requirements for both residential and modified residential formats are identical. Students enter the program annually and normally progress on a two-year schedule of coursework (at most a 4-year schedule of coursework), followed by the comprehensive exam and the writing of a successful dissertation. The modified residency format allows students to come to campus and take seminars in an intensive format. Typically students in this format enter as a community of scholars and will remain together through a series of seminars that meet twice annually at various times throughout the year. Modified residency format allows students to remain in their current position while engaging in Ph.D. studies.
Continuous enrollment in the program is required with fees paid each semester (Fall/Spring or Summer/Winter depending on Area of Study and/or Concentration) until graduation.
The semester you are intending to enter depends on the area of study you wish to pursue. Some areas of study begin in the Fall semester, while others in January. Programs offered in the modified residency format are asterisked.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Ph.D. program is selective and is offered only to students who have demonstrated the intellectual ability, preparation, and motivation to perform academically at the highest level. Enrollment in the program is limited to applicants who, in the judgment of the faculty, appear best qualified and most capable of using the resources that the seminary provides. The following pre-application requirements are for self-screening purposes and only establish the opportunity to apply to the Ph.D. program.
Timeline for the Application Process
Application Deadline: December 1
All application materials need to be received by our office by this date. The onlyexception would be a final transcript if the applicant is still taking coursework to meet degree requirements or to meet our leveling requirements. To meet this deadline, the MAT must be taken by November 15th to allow time for the scores to be verified by the testing center and mailed to our office.
Applications take a week to process after all required items are received by the Office of Ph.D. Studies. The Graduate Studies Committee treats all materials confidentially. Completed application files will remain valid for two years from the date that the Office of Ph.D. Studies receives the application form/fee. Once the two year limit has been met, a new updated application and necessary forms must be submitted in order to reopen the application process.
Application Files Reviewed: December 1-15
During this time, the Ph.D. Office will review applicant files and determine entrance exam eligibility.
Formal Invitations Issued for the Entrance Exam: December 15
Formal invitations to sit for the entrance exam will be issued. The entrance exam plays a vital role in the application process as it provides insight of an applicant’s knowledge base in their given area of study. It also helps the Ph.D. Office gauge an applicant’s readiness for the rigor of our program. The invitation will include dates and times for the entrance exam, as well as important logistical information concerning your visit to campus.
As a convenience, the invitation will include an entrance exam study guide with a suggested reading list and several questions to help applicants focus on key topics in the material. Preparation for the entrance exam should include, but is not limited to, a careful study of the sources on the suggested reading list. The applicant should be prepared to answer any of the questions on the master list.
Entrance Exam week: SEBTS Spring Break week
All applicants are required to be on the campus of SEBTS for the entrance exam during the date and times indicated on the invitation. The only exception is those applicants pursuing our International Missiology degree and serving overseas for whom the test will be proctored overseas.
The written examination will be taken in two parts. Applicants will have up to 3 hours to complete each part.
Applicants sitting for Biblical Studies (with concentrations in New Testament, Old Testament or Biblical Theology), or the areas of New Testament and Old Testament will be required to demonstrate biblical language competency. Part 3 of the exam will be administered on a separate day. Applicants in New Testament will be required to translate a Greek passage. Applicants in Old Testament will be required to translate a Hebrew passage. Applicants in Biblical Theology will be given a choice to translate either a passage in Greek or Hebrew.
On the day of the entrance exam, all applicants will meet with the Director of Ph.D. Studies for a Director Interview after the testing has been completed.
Notification letters sent: May 1st
Applicants will be notified by this date whether they have been accepted or denied admission into the Ph.D. program. An initial enrollment fee is due within 30 days after receipt of the acceptance letter to confirm one’s entrance into the program.
Applicants who are not accepted into the program may reapply no earlier than one year after their last application. Applicants, who are twice unsuccessful, but want to be considered in a later admission cycle, must complete a new, updated application that includes a statement of any and all special circumstances that significantly enhance the applicant’s qualifications. Please contact the Office of Ph.D. Studies if you have any questions about your application or about the admission
Entry into the PhD Program
The semester you are intending to enter depends on the area of study you wish to pursue. Some areas of study begin in the Fall semester, while others in January. Programs offered in the modified residency format are asterisked.
Programs that begin in the Fall include the following:
PhD in Biblical Studies with concentrations in Old Testament , New Testament or
Biblical Theology
PhD in Theological Studies with concentrations in Systematic Theology *,
Philosophy of Religion *, Historical Theology *, Christian Ethics or Public Theology *
PhD in Applied Theology with a concentration in Biblical Counseling
PhD in Old Testament
PhD in New Testament
PhD in Systematic Theology *
PhD in Philosophy of Religion *
PhD in Historical Theology *
PhD in Apologetics and Culture *
PhD in Biblical Counseling *
PhD in Theology and Worship *
Programs that begin in January include the following:
PhD in Applied Theology with concentrations in Missiology (International track)*,
Missiology (North American track)*, and Christian Leadership*
PhD in Preaching *
PhD in Christian Leadership *
**Please note that entry into our Applied Theology concentration in Missiology (International track) is allowed only once every two years in January of the odd years (ex: January 2017, January 2019, etc.). To be considered, the application must be submitted in December of the prior odd year. (ex: the deadline for application materials to be submitted is December 1, 2015 if interested in possible entry in January 2017).
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