Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies

Effective Christian ministry and research require a well-rounded and rigorous academic foundation rooted in the Bible and related texts. Part of Faulkner University’s Kearley Graduate School of Theology (KGST), the Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies imparts students with robust biblical knowledge and the ability to analyze these texts, preparing them for an array of careers in ministry, non-profit organizations, and academic and research institutions.

Program Objectives

Faulkner University’s fully online Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies program prepares moral and ethically driven scholars for the advanced academic study of the Bible. Graduates will be able to enter or continue careers in biblical teaching, academics, and diverse ministry opportunities. Since this program is conducted entirely online, students can continue with their current work and family obligations while studying on their own time.

This program is specifically designed to bestow knowledge and analytical capabilities in the key areas of biblical studies, giving graduates the competency needed for teaching or research positions in public, private, government, or postdoctoral roles. Graduates will walk away proficient in religious and biblical history, theology, archaeology, biblical and related languages, and biblical interpretation. Students also gain essential skills that can be utilized outside the biblical studies field, including analysis, reading, research, and writing.

Program Design

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical studies must earn 54 semester hours of credit at the doctoral level. They are required to fulfill those credit hours with:

• Two required courses Biblical Scholarship and Christian Ministry and Advanced Studies in Biblical Hermeneutics
• An additional six core courses that provide students with a wide breadth of academic biblical studies experience and skill
• Six course electives from a choice of advanced seminars in primary biblical text (Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek)
• Complete four dissertation modules after completing coursework
• Write a dissertation and later defend it during a conference call

Required Non-Credit Exams

All students enrolled in this online Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies program must pass language proficiency tests in three biblical languages – Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek – before registering for textual seminars.

Students must also pass an exam in a secondary research language, such as German, French, Spanish, or Latin, before completing broader program assessments. Enrolled students are required to pass all comprehensive exams before taking part in dissertation modules.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies at Faulkner University is typically completed in four to five years and occurs entirely online.

Admission Requirements

For admission to the PhD in Biblical Studies program, an applicant must complete the following tasks:

• Earn a biblical-studies master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Hold at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point in a master’s degree program. If the student does not meet this requirement, the student may request conditional admission.
• Arrange delivery of official transcripts, from all the colleges and universities attended, directly from the school’s Registrar’s Office to Faulkner’s Office of Graduate Enrollment. Hand delivered copies, photocopies, and printouts of grade reports are not acceptable.
• Submit three letters of recommendation with specific comments regarding the applicant’s academic work, ability to successfully complete graduate study, and any relevant professional experience. Letters of recommendation should, if possible, include a letter from a faculty member who taught master’s classes for the applicant and a letter from a work supervisor who is familiar with the applicant’s degree-related work.
• A goals statement of approximately 1500 words specifying the applicant’s degree-related goals and stating ways in which the PhD from the Kearley Graduate School of Theology will contribute toward achieving those goals. Include in this goals statement: (1) background preparation for the degree; (2) basis for the choice of the KGST; (3) spiritual and academic goals; (4) impact of the degree sought on financiers and personal, employment, and family time. Obtaining a score of 40 or above qualifies the applicant for an interview with the PhD faculty.
• Submit a copy of a graduate research paper or thesis previously accepted in a graduate-level biblical studies program
• Participate in an interview with the dean, KGST director, and the graduate committee.
• Receive approval for admission from the KGST director.

A student whose first language is not English must demonstrate English competency as discussed in the University’s graduate catalog.

Tuition

Tuition | $585 per semester hour
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General Fee | $350 per semester ($250 if 11 hours or less)
Online Course Fee | $75 per semester hour
Applicable Course Fees | see full tuition and fee schedule

Faulkner University Advantages

Completing your Doctor of Philosophy online can be rewarding. Consider some of the following benefits of pursuing this degree at Faulkner University:

• Faith-centered approach: We instill Christian values in our students, encouraging them to respect and grow their understanding of the Bible.
• Adaptable scheduling: Our online format gives students more flexibility than traditional on-campus learning.
• Accelerated completion: With our online master's degrees, students can graduate in less time and still receive the same quality instruction and support as on-campus options.