phd in church history online

• Login to myGETS
• Directories

Doctor of Philosophy in History of Christianity and Historical Theology

Experience historical christianity as a living, breathing, on-the-ground phenomenon.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History of Christianity and Historical Theology focuses upon historical themes, issues, and methodologies. Students in the program will study a major historical emphasis, such as Christian origins and the Early church; the Reformations in Europe; the rise of the Reformation and the Wesleyan movement in England; the period of US Christian history; Wesleyan and Methodist Studies. Within these, more delimited time periods and subjects/themes would be selected for study and research, to include social context, theological developments, and key ecclesiastical and social issues.

Meet a Current Student

Peter J. Smith is a doctoral student in historical theology and a native of Athens, Ohio. His research focuses on the development of theological anthropology and soteriology in the 4th and 5th centuries, as well as the early articulation of Wesleyan theology. His master’s thesis discussed the anthropological implications of Athanasius’ doctrine of deification.

Degree Requirements

The PhD in History of Christianity and Historical Theology is a 40-credit hour degree program.

3 Foundational Courses (7-credit hours)

• Hermeneutics
• Teaching Seminar
• Research Seminar

6 to 8 Courses in Major (18- to 24-credit hours)

• 6 hours are required in designated courses in applied historiography

3 to 4 Courses in Minor (9- to 12- credit hours)

2 Elective Courses as needed (6 credit hours)

Research Languages and/or Research Tools (2)

• One in a language for academic research and a second research language or pertinent research methodology, plus all tools necessary to complete the dissertation.

Qualifying Exams

• 4 written exams
• 1 oral exam

Dissertation Proposal

Dissertation and Defense

Optional focus in African American/Black Religious Studies

To add a focus in African American/Black Religious Studies, a student would take a minimum of fifteen hours of courses with specific African American/Black content, as selected by the student in consultation with their advisor. Persons opting for this focus would have an African American/Black advisor or consulting co-advisor, or as a committee member. At least one of the student’s Qualifying Examination questions would be on a dimension of African American/Black religion. The student’s dissertation would incorporate some element relating to African American/Black religious life and thought.

Our History Faculty

In my courses, I want students to appreciate the past as something that is both distant from us and always with us. I want them to experience historical Christianity as a living, breathing, on-the-ground phenomenon.

Dr. Anna Johnson Associate Professor of Reformation Church History

My goal is to make the historical authors, their worlds, worldviews, and their thought accessible to the twenty-first century student as much as possible.

Dr. James Papandrea Professor of Church History and Historical Theology

Degree Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of broad areas of their respective disciplines—primary sources, secondary sources, methods, and intellectual foundations
• Demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct research and make contributions to their field
• Develop research skills to carry into their future work as scholars
• Demonstrate skills in oral and written communication to present and publish work in their field
• Demonstrate competence in teaching their discipline in a designated course on pedagogy and through practical experience as teaching assistants
• Demonstrate, through service in academy, church, and seminaries, the value of their discipline to the academy and community at large

Garrett accepts applications from students with a masters degree in religious or theological studies from an accredited college or university and proficiency in the English language.

In response to COVID-19 pandemic, PhD applications WILL NOT require GRE scores. Applications are due by January 20th.

Affording Your Education

Phd overview, housing opportunities.

Department of Theology

• Home ›
• Graduate Programs ›
• Ph.D. ›
• Areas of Concentration ›

History of Christianity

The Department of Theology provides a congenial setting for the study of the history of Christianity in all its rich complexity. Reflecting the diversity of methods and interests of the faculty, a sampling of doctoral seminars from recent years would include:

• the medieval Jewish-Christian encounter
• religious pilgrimage
• theologies of Aquinas, Augustine, Luther, and Origen, among others

Special strengths of the program in the history of Christianity include the interpretation of scripture prior to the modern period, spirituality, and doctrine and theological method from the early period through the Reformation.

“I tend to gravitate towards doctrines that seem inexplicable, and I try to understand what motivated the early Christians to formulate these doctrines in just these ways." — Khaled Anatolios, John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology

Students who major in the history of Christianity normally concentrate in their course work and candidacy examinations on two of the following periods of Christian history, in any combination: early, medieval, Reformation & modern. In the first two years of residence, the student takes courses in the major, evenly divided between the two periods.

While the majority of these courses are taken with the faculty in the Department of Theology, students are encouraged to take appropriate courses offered by historians of Christianity affiliated with other departments in the University. Students are also required to take some courses outside their field.

Admission to the history of Christianity program has in recent years been increasingly competitive. Entering students should already have made significant progress in the study of languages needed for serious historical research; introductory language work while in residence will be in addition to the normal course load.

Library holdings are especially strong in the early and medieval periods. Most of the reference and research tools crucial for the investigation of early and medieval Christianity are housed in the Medieval Institute , located on the seventh floor of the Hesburgh Library.

Khaled Anatolios

Department Chair John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology

History of Christianity, Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity |Early Christian Doctrine, Theological Method, and Biblical Exegesis |Khaled Anatolios is interested in all aspects of the theology of the early Church, with special emphases on the Trinitarian, Christological, and soteriological doctrines of the Greek fathers and Augustine; early Christian biblical exegesis; and the development of theological methodology in Patristic and medieval theology. He has published on a variety of early Christian theologians including Irenaeus, Origen, Athanasius, Augustine, and Gregory of Nyssa. A particular focus of  his work is the engagement between early Christian theological reflection and contemporary theological concerns.

Ann W. Astell

History of Christianity | Hagiography as Biblical Commentary; the Song of Songs and the Liturgy | Ann W. Astell is Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. She is the author of six books, most recently Eating Beauty: The Eucharist and the Spiritual Arts of the Middle Ages (2006), and is now completing a monograph on hagiography and the Bible. She has been the recipient of an N.E.H. fellowship and a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship. She has edited eight collections of essays, most recently Saving Fear in Christian Spirituality (2020). Past President of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality and also of the Colloquium on Violence and Religion, she has published recently in Cistercian Studies Quarterly, Spiritus, Theological Studies, Marian Studies, and Religion and Literature. 

Yury P. Avvakumov

Associate Professor

History of Christianity |Papacy and Eastern Churches; scholastic theology; Latin and Byzantine ecclesiology and sacramental theology; Russian and Ukrainian religious thought of the 19th and 20th century. | Avvakumov is a historian of Christianity who specializes in the Later Medieval and Early Modern periods, with a focus on scholasticism, ecclesiology, and relations between the papacy and Byzantium, and in Russian and Ukrainian religious history and thought of the 19th and 20th centuries. He is also broadly engaged with the history, ecclesiology, and liturgy of Byzantine-rite Christianity in communion with Rome (“Uniate”, or “Greco-Catholic” Christianity) from its medieval beginnings to the present day. His special research interest is the fateful history of Catholic and Orthodox Christians under Soviet totalitarianism and their role in contemporary post-communist societies. Avvakumov obtained doctorates in Orthodox theology in St. Petersburg, Russia, and in Catholic theology in Munich, Germany. Prior to coming to Notre Dame in 2010, he held academic positions in Germany, Ukraine, and Russia, including at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lemberg where he served as Dean of Humanities and as the founding chair of the Department of Classical, Byzantine, and Medieval Studies in 2006-2009. Courses he teaches include “Latin West and Byzantine East 1054-1596: Clash and Communion”; “Popes, Patriarchs, and Councils: Medieval Church and Ecclesiology”; “Introduction to Scholastic Theology”; “Theology of the Byzantine Liturgy”; “Russian Religious Thought”; “Eastern Churches: History and Theology”. A trained singer, he also teaches a college seminar “Heaven and Hell: Musical Theater” based on operas and oratorios by Bach, Lully, Meyerbeer, Wagner, and Mussorgsky.  

Jeremy Phillip Brown

Assistant Professor

History of Christianity |Medieval Judaism, Iberian Kabbalah, Jewish-Christian Polemic |Jeremy Phillip Brown is Assistant Professor of Theology specializing in medieval Judaism. He completed his BA in Religion at Reed College, and earned his doctorate in Hebrew and Judaic Studies at New York University. Brown has taught at the University of San Francisco, and served as Simon and Ethel Flegg Postdoctoral Fellow in Jewish Studies at McGill University in Montreal. Research interests include the Zohar, the penitential discourses of Kabbalah and Jewish pietism, Jewish-Christian polemic in medieval Iberia, and the dissemination of Kabbalah in Latin America.

John C. Cavadini

History of Christianity, Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity | He teaches, studies, and publishes in the area of patristic theology and in its early medieval reception. | John C. Cavadini is a Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, having served as Chair from 1997-2010. Since 2000 he has served as the Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame. He received a B.A. in 1975 from Wesleyan University; an M.A. in 1979 from Marquette University; M.A., 1981, M.Phil., 1983 and his Ph.D. in 1988 from Yale University. A member of the Notre Dame faculty since 1990, Cavadini teaches, studies and publishes in patristic and early medieval theology, the theology of Augustine, and the history of biblical and patristic exegesis. He has served a five-year term on the International Theological Commission (appointed by Pope Benedict XVI) and in 2018 received the Monika K. Hellwig Award from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Intellectual Life. As Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, he inaugurated the Echo program in catechetical leadership, the Notre Dame Vision program for high school students and is responsible for the continued growth and outreach of the McGrath Institute, which partners with Catholic dioceses, parishes and schools to address pastoral challenges with theological depth and rigor.  

Catherine Cavadini

Director of Master of Arts Associate Teaching Professor

History of Christianity |The history of biblical interpretation, especially medieval interpretation of the Song of Songs. |Katie teaches courses within the undergraduate and MA curriculum as well as directing the MA Program.

Brian Daley, SJ

Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology, Emeritus

History of Christianity, Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity | Patristic Christology, Eschatology, Theology of Mary, Ecumenical Theology | Born in Orange, NJ, in 1940, Fr. Daley did his undergraduate work at Fordham University and a subsequent M.A, (classics and philosophy) at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He then entered the Society of Jesus, taught for a year at Fordham, and studied theology for ordination in Frankfurt, Germany. He returned to Oxford in 1972 for doctoral studies, focused on the Patristic Christological tradition, and completed a critical edition of the works of the sixth-century theologian Leontius of Byzantium in 1978. He then was a faculty member of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, in Cambridge, MA, until 1996, when he moved to Notre Dame's Department of Theology as the Catherine Huisking Professor. He considers himself a historical theologian, studying the thought and practices of the first seven or eight centuries of Christianity as expressions of the developing common faith of the Church, especially as it is focused on our understanding of the person of Christ, the Trinity, and the hope for eternal life. His most recent book is: God Visible: Patristic Christology Reconsidered (Oxford University Press, 2018).

Margot Fassler

Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Music History and Liturgy, Emeritus

Liturgical Studies, History of Christianity | Theology, Liturgy, and the Arts; Congregational Studies; Sacred Music |Margot Fassler, Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Music History and Liturgy, University of Notre Dame, is Director of the Program in Sacred Music and Tangeman Professor of Music History, Emerita, Yale University. Recent books include Music in the Medieval West and its accompanying Anthology (New York, 2014); (with Jeffery Hamburger, Eva Schlotheuber, and Susan Marti) Life and Latin Learning at Paradies bei Soest, 1300-1425: Inscription and Illumination in the Choir Books of a North German Dominican Convent, 2 vols. (Munster, 2016), and Medieval Cantors and Their Craft (ed. with Katie Bugyis and AB Kraebel) York Medieval Press, 2017. Fassler is a member of the North American Academy of Liturgy, a former President of the Medieval Academy of America, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and an Honorary Member of the American Musicological Society. Her digital work includes documentary studies of contemporary congregations. Her book: Cosmos, Liturgy and the Arts in the Twelfth Century: Hildegard’s Illuminated Scivias is forthcoming with the University of Pennsylvania Press. A digital model of creation and cosmos based on the illuminations of Scivias (with Christian Jara) will appear in 2021. These works have been supported by grants from the Luce Foundation, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the ACLS. In 2019-20, Fassler was a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University.

Paul Kollman, CSC

World Religions and World Church, History of Christianity | I am currently preparing a manuscript on the Catholic missionary evangelization of eastern Africa. | Paul Kollman, CSC, is associate professor of theology and has been on the faculty at Notre Dame in the Department of Theology since 2001. Before that he taught at the Queen of Apostles Philosophy Seminary in Jinja, Uganda, and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Since being at Notre Dame he has also taught at Tangaza College, Nairobi, Kenya. His scholarship focuses on African Christianity, mission history, and world Christianity, and he has taught and carried out research in Africa and in archives around the world. Kollman earned his PhD from the University of Chicago Divinity School (2001), and a BA and MDiv from Notre Dame (1984, 1990). He is the author of The Evangelization of Slaves and Catholic Origins in Eastern Africa, co-author of Understanding World Christianity: Eastern Africa, and numerous other publications in professional journals. He has served as executive director of Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns, as president of the American Society of Missiology, and is currently president of the International Association of Mission Studies. Kollman is also a fellow of the Kellogg, Kroc, and Nanovic Institutes at Notre Dame. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kollman currently lives in O’Neill Hall at Notre Dame.

Ulrich L. Lehner

William K. Warren Professor

History of Christianity |History of Christianity after 1500, Global Catholic Studies, Early Modern History, Gender and Race in the History of Catholicism, 19th and 20th c. European History and Culture |Ulrich L. Lehner specializes in religious history and theology of the Early Modern period and the Enlightenment. Among his publications are over ten authored books and more than fifteen edited volumes, including The Oxford Handbook of Early Modern Theology, 1600-1800 (Oxford UP: 2016), Women, Enlightenment, and Catholicism: A Transnational Biographical History (Routledge: 2018), and most recently Innovation in Early Modern Catholicism (Routledge: 2021). He was selected as a Member and Herodotus Fellow in the School of Historical Studies at the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study, a fellow at the Institute for Comparative History of Religious Orders at the University of Eichstätt, Distinguished Fellow at the NDIAS (twice), fellow of the Earhart foundation (twice), and fellow of the Humboldt and Friedrich von Siemens Foundation. In 2014 he was inducted into the European Academy for Sciences and Arts, in 2018 into the Accademia Ambrosiana, and in 2022 into the Academia Europea.

Timothy Matovina

History of Christianity | Latino/a theologies and Latino/a Catholicism | Timothy Matovina works in the area of Faith and Culture, with specialization in U.S. Catholic and U.S. Latino theology and religion. Professor Matovina has authored over 150 essays and reviews in scholarly and opinion journals. He has also written or edited 20 books, most recently Latino Catholicism: Transformation in America’s Largest Church, which won five book awards, including selection as a CHOICE “Outstanding Academic Title,” as well as Theologies of Guadalupe: From the Era of Conquest to Pope Francis. Among his various scholarly awards, in 2010 Matovina received the Virgilio Elizondo Award “for distinguished achievement in theology, in keeping with the mission of the Academy” from the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS). At Notre Dame he has won two teaching awards, including the Julian Samora Award that members of Notre Dame’s La Alianza student organization confer on a faculty member whose research, teaching, and service advance knowledge and empowerment of Latino/a students and communities. In addition to his scholarly work, Matovina offers presentations and workshops on U.S. Catholicism and Latino ministry and theology throughout the United States.

Cyril O'Regan

Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology

Systematic Theology, History of Christianity | I am currently finishing up my volumes on the relationship between Hans Urs von Balthasar and Martin Heidegger. | Born in Ireland where I received my BA and MA in Philosophy. My Ph. D is from Yale where I taught in the Department of Religious Studies before I came to the Department of Theology at Notre Dame in 1999. My work spans a number of areas, systematic theology, historical theology, and continental philosophy, and I am especially active at the intersection of theology and continental philosophy. I have done considerable work in 19th-century theology and philosophy, postmodern thought, mysticism, apocalyptic, Gnosticism, religion and literature, major Catholic figures such as Newman, de Lubac, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Benedict XVI, and on the doctrines of the Trinity and "last things." I will shortly complete two volumes dealing with the relationship between the Swiss theologian, Hans Urs von Balthasar and Martin Heidegger. I will then turn to complete my Gnosticism in Modernity project. I intend to write in order a volume on Gnosticism and German Idealism and subsequently a volume on Gnosticism and German and English Romanticism. I teach a wide array of courses on all levels and am very active in directing doctoral students.

Gabriel Reynolds

Jerome J. Crowley and Rosaleen G. Crowley Professor of Theology

World Religions and World Church, History of Christianity |Qur'anic Studies and Muslim-Christian Relations |Gabriel Said Reynolds did his doctoral work at Yale University in Islamic Studies. Currently he researches the Qur'ān and Muslim/Christian relations and is Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology in the Department of Theology at Notre Dame. He is the author of The Qur'ān and Its Biblical Subtext (Routledge 2010) and The Emergence of Islam (Fortress, 2012), the translator of ʿAbd al-Jabbar’s Critique of Christian Origins (BYU 2008), and editor of The Qur'ān in Its Historical Context (Routledge 2008) and New Perspectives on the Qur'ān: The Qur'ān in Its Historical Context 2 (Routledge 2011). In 2012-13 Prof. Reynolds directed, along with Mehdi Azaiez, “The Qurʾān Seminar,” a year-long collaborative project dedicated to encouraging dialogue among scholars of the Qurʾān, the acts of which appeared as The Qurʾān Seminar Commentary (De Gruyter, 2016). In 2018 he published The Qurʾan and the Bible with Yale University Press and in 2020 Allah: God in the Qur'an, also with YUP. At Notre Dame he teaches courses on theology, Muslim/Christian Relations, and Islamic Origins.  He runs a youtube channel, “Exploring the Qur’an and the Bible” that features conversations on scripture with leading scholars.

Alexis Torrance

Archbishop Demetrios Associate Professor of Byzantine Theology

History of Christianity | Greek Patristic, Byzantine, and Orthodox Theology, in particular Christology, ascetic thought, and theological anthropology.  | Alexis Torrance received his undergraduate and graduate training in Theology at the University of Oxford. He has held research fellowships at the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study, the Seeger Center for Hellenic Studies at Princeton University, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Dumbarton Oaks in Washington DC. He has been a member of the faculty at Notre Dame since 2014. His research interests gravitate around the fields of Greek Patristic, Byzantine, and Orthodox Theology, with a special focus on the areas of Christology, theological anthropology, ascetic thought, and East-West relations. He is currently developing a project on the nature and practice of theology in the middle and late Byzantine periods, with a view to bringing the findings into conversation with modern Orthodox thought. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2020, and is a Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne.

Joseph Wawrykow

History of Christianity | Medieval Christology; the late medieval and early modern reception of Aquinas's theology | Born and raised in Canada, Joseph Wawrykow did his doctoral work at Yale University and has taught at Notre Dame since graduation. He specializes in 13th-century Western theology, and has published on a wide range of central theological topics (Trinity; Christ; grace and predestination; sacraments; biblical interpretation) in high medieval theology. While he is best known for his work on the theology of Thomas Aquinas, his scholarly interests extend to other scholastic theologians, as well as to the varieties of medieval spiritual theology. In his research, he is attentive to issues of reception and transformation, showing the medieval scholastic theological achievement in its complex relations with the theologies of the early Fathers. Wawrykow has directed numerous doctoral dissertations, on such figures as William of Auxerre, Angela of Foligno, Duns Scotus, and, Aquinas. He has received University recognition for his teaching, both undergraduate and graduate, and has been entrusted with several leadership responsibilities by his Department, including lengthy stints as Director of Undergraduate Studies and as Director of Graduate Studies (Ph.D.) He is married to an art historian (Yale Ph.D.); their son did his undergraduate work at Yale and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Mathematics at the University of Michigan.

Jeff Wickes

History of Christianity, Liturgical Studies |Late Antique Christianity; Syriac literature; ritual studies; religion and literature |Jeff Wickes focuses on the interplay between Syriac literature, theology, and liturgy in the context of late antique Christianity. Building projects that work from close readings of Syriac texts, he gravitates in his work towards larger questions of genre (especially poetry), religion, and theology as they play out within the historical horizons of late antique Christianity, and as those horizons meet our own in the contemporary world. His first two books focused on Syriac Christianity’s formative voice, Ephrem the Syrian, and sought to find the place where performative context and exegesis met in the space of Ephrem’s poetry. His current book turns to a range of Syriac hagiographical poems sung between the fourth and sixth centuries to ask questions around form, agency, time, and gender in late antique poetry and the cult of the saints. He comes to Notre Dame after nine years at Saint Louis University. Prior to that, he completed a PhD at the University of Notre Dame, an MA at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, and a BA at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. His work has been supported by grants from, among others, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, the Mellon Foundation, and the Dolores Zorhab Liebmann Fund.

Academic Study

Degree Programs Overview

On-Campus Degrees

Online degrees.

Tools + Resources

Montgomery Library

Center for Theological Writing

Craig Center

Community Life

Student Experience

On-Campus Experience

Online Experience

Global Community

The Westminster Shoppe

Job Opportunities

Admissions Overview

Tuition & Financial Aid

International Students

Visit Westminster

Admissions Resources

Compare Degree Programs

Affiliations

About Westminster

Mission & Values

Integrated Approach

Jobs at WTS

Incoming Students

Current Students

Faculty & Staff

Initiatives

Ministry Network

Framework: Public Theology from Westminster

Westminster Bookstore

Westminster Seminary Press

Westminster Theological Journal

all DEGREE PROGRAMS

Doctor of philosophy, the doctor of philosophy is the highest degree available for theological and biblical studies. it combines deep scholarly research with training in effective writing and communication to prepare you to serve christ and his global church., the doctor of philosophy program offers specialization in two fields: biblical studies (concentrations in old testament or new testament) and historical & theological studies (concentrations in church history, systematic theology, or apologetics)., westminster’s integrated training will prepare you to:.

Demonstrate mastery of core methods and tools of theological research

Gain expertise in a chosen field of theological or biblical study

Produce scholarly work that contributes to the advancement of a major field of study

Deepen your theological understanding to better serve in pastoral ministry, teaching, or further academic scholarship

Communicate compellingly through writing and teaching

at a glance

Years To Complete

Delivery Platforms

on-campus only

Online only, both on-campus & online.

Biblical Languages

“No other factor in my many years of theological training has done more to define who I am as a theologian and set the trajectory for continued development as a pastor and professor as my PhD studies at Westminster. The Van Tillian contours of the integrated curriculum are an invitation to epistemological humility and eschatological hope. Here, precision meets the pastoral, acumen the affectional, thus yielding informed minds and enflamed hearts.”

David filson, pastor, christ presbyterian church, integrated training, the doctor of philosophy program combines deep theological study with rigorous research methods under the guidance of expert faculty., our curriculum is crafted to be cumulatively sequential and thoroughly integrated..

Each discipline derives its content and methodology from Scripture and therefore necessarily draws on—and informs—all other disciplines.

Core Courses

3–4 courses.

Hermeneutical & Biblical Studies

NT Use of the OT

Critical Methodologies

History of Interpretation

Hermeneutical Foundations

Historical & Theological Studies

Historical & Theological Methodologies

Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til

The Westminster Standards

In addition to your core courses, you will also take elective courses that typically serve to inform your dissertation. PhD students in Hermeneutics & Biblical Studies choose three electives, and students in Historical or Theological Studies choose four.

In order to ensure that you are well-read within your field, you will also take three readings courses in which you will read and digest key texts relevant to your research.

Research Languages

Students need to demonstrate proficiency by way of exam in two of the following languages: Latin, German, French, or Dutch.

Students will conduct independent research, work constructively with exegetical and theological problems, and ultimately contribute to knowledge in their subject field through a dissertation that is worthy of publication. Students’ dissertations will culminate in an oral defense before the faculty.

Westminster’s expert faculty is made up of dynamic biblical scholars who are personally invested in mentoring and training the next generation of specialists in the bible., scott oliphint, apologetics, nate shannon, iain duguid, old testament, david garner, systematic theology, vern poythress, brandon crowe, new testament, jonathan gibson, todd rester, church history, stephen coleman, mark garcia, brian mattson, sinclair ferguson, peter lillback, david filson, view full academic catalog, the doctor of philosophy will prepare you to serve in a wide range of contexts., phd alumni serve in:.

Teaching & Professorship

Seminary Leadership

Continuing academic scholarship

Writing & Publishing

AVAILABLE ONLINE & ON-CAMPUS

To better equip the global church, Westminster offers the Master of Divinity online, on-campus, or through a hybrid experience you design.

THE ONLINE EXPERIENCE:

A better way to learn online, for when you need to stay..

Flexible programs that fit your life.

Engaging and innovative classroom environment.

Easy-to-use technology connects you to a global community.

Immediate application in life and ministry.

THE ON-CAMPUS EXPERIENCE:

Deep community and discipleship through shared daily life..

Programs intentionally crafted for ministry preparation and deep academic study.

Unparalleled access to expert faculty who are invested in your life and ministry.

Life-on-life fellowship in a diverse and like-minded community.

Communal rhythms of prayer and worship woven into all areas of campus life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the time expectations for the phd program.

The recommended timeline for the PhD is four years. Most coursework must be completed in-residence at Westminster’s campus. The maximum time to complete is seven years.

What are the admissions requirements for the PhD program?

In addition to Westminster’s standard admissions requirements, applicants to the PhD program must also submit a GRE score, a writing sample, and a dissertation proposal. The writing sample should be no more than 10 pages and should be from work completed in a master’s program focused on the applicant’s desired PhD concentration. The dissertation proposal should be a half-page summary.

What fields of study are offered for the PhD program?

The PhD program is offered in two fields: biblical studies and historical & theological studies. The historical and theological field offers three concentrations: church history, systematic theology, and apologetics. The biblical studies field offers two concentrations: New Testament and Old Testament.

Westminster would be honored to help equip you for the profound work God is calling you to. Our admissions staff are available to answer any questions you may have.

CONTACT US TO APPLY

Meet our faculty.

Our faculty are passionate about equipping you to mine the riches of God’s Word at unparalleled depth. Learn about their areas of expertise and backgrounds.

Resources For

© Copyright 2022 Westminster Theological Seminary. All Rights Reserved.

Please Upgrade Your Browser.

Unfortunately, Internet Explorer is an outdated browser and we do not currently support it. To have the best browsing experience, please upgrade to Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Safari.

Preparing students to serve Christ and His church through biblical, experiential, and practical ministry.

• Global Campuses
• Research Centers
• Alumni Association

PhD in Historical Theology

The PhD at PRTS is a fully funded program allowing for eight (8) to ten (10) students per year. Accepted PhD students do not need not to apply for scholarships. The Historical Theology doctoral program offers focused areas of research, including but not limited to:

Reformation:

• Calvin and other Reformers such as Bullinger, Musculus, and Viret
• English Reformation
• Luther and other Lutheran Reformers such as Melanchthon

Post-Reformation:

• Biblical exegesis
• Confessions & Catechisms: Thirty-nine Articles, Belgic Confession of Faith, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dort, Westminster, and London Baptist Confession
• English and New England Puritans
• Confessional Anglicanism
• Confessional Baptists
• History of Homiletics
• Lutheran orthodoxy and Pietism
• Protestant scholasticism
• Reformed orthodoxy and piety
• Scottish Presbyterianism

In preparing students to serve Christ and His church through biblical, experiential, and practical ministry, the doctoral program of PRTS prepares students to serve in the academy and church through:

• P iety, P reaching, and P ublications: Throughout the program students are challenged to grow in their spirituality, and seek a healthy balance between academics and spiritual life; students called to a preaching ministry participate in a homiletics practicum to foster biblical and experiential preaching; and students are encouraged to engage in writing ministry during and upon completion of their studies. This writing ministry unfolds in three ways: publications in scholarly peer-reviewed journals, publications for the edification of the church, and publications designed to instruct the unsaved in a skeptical world. Moreover, the writing of a doctoral thesis keeps in mind a potential monograph for publication.
• R esearch and R eformed: Students demonstrate an advanced competency in theology—in particular Reformed theology—and mastery of relevant primary and secondary sources in one of the following disciplines: Historical Theology, Biblical Studies, or Homiletics. Students must demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of Reformed intellectual trajectories and traditions.
• T echnology and T eaching: Students demonstrate an advanced level use of digital sources, deployment of writing tools, and a God-honoring use of technology, internet, and social media for the dissemination of biblical, experiential, and practical thoughts. Students called to a teaching ministry participate in a teaching practicum.
• S cholarship (academics) and S cholarships (financial): Students are able to engage in international scholarly discourse that demonstrates independent inquiry, primary source research, critical reflection, analysis, and articulation of academic research. Since the Ph.D. program is fully funded, students pay no tuition fees other than those associated with their two required external courses.
• Admission Requirements

A second graduate degree in theology, such as an accredited ThM, MTh, or STM, is preferred for admission to the program. Exceptionally gifted students may be accepted into the program having an accredited MDiv, or first graduate degree in theology, such as an MA or MTS. Comparable degrees from institutions within or outside North America may be accepted provided schools can demonstrate that they meet the standards of the ATS Board-approved degrees for admission. Students with a first graduate degree in theology may also apply for the ThM (Master of Theology) program, and then apply for the PhD program after successful completion of three (3) ThM-level courses with a minimum GPA of 3.50.

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral program, the applicant must:

• be called to the ministry of teaching and/or preaching.
• demonstrate high potential for local and regional influence through future ministry of teaching and preaching after completion of studies.
• preferably possess a second master’s degree in theology from an accredited institute of higher learning, or in exceptional cases, a first master’s degree in theology from an accredited institute of higher learning.
• have teaching and / or preaching experience.
• adhere to the Three Forms of Unity and/or Westminster Standards (apart from a position on paedo- or credobaptism).
• demonstrate biblical piety and character.

It is recommended that applications for admission to the doctoral program be submitted no later than April 30 (for a fall-semester start) or October 30 (for a spring-semester start). The applicant will be informed about the decision of the Admissions Committee by the Director of Admissions shortly after a decision has been made. The Admissions Committee meets on a rolling basis approximately every two months. Applications are considered at the next available meeting only when all application components have been received.

The applicant must:

• have had an interview with the President, Program Director, or Director of Admissions.
• submit official and certified transcripts of all post-secondary education (demonstrating the possession of an undergraduate degree and at least a first master’s degree in theology).
• have an academic record with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher (or its equivalent).
• submit a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 158 or higher in the Verbal and Quantitative sections, and 5.0 or higher in the Analytical Writing component.
• submit a recent CV ( curriculum vitae ).
• submit a copy of a completed master’s degree thesis or major research paper.
• submit a three-page preliminary dissertation proposal.
• submit two academic references and one ecclesiastical references.
• Residency Requirement

Students are required to be in residence for one-half of the coursework; other required coursework, research, and dissertation writing may be completed off campus. Thus, given that the PhD concentrations each require twelve (12) courses, at least six (6) courses must be taken on campus.

This does not mean, however, that the accepted PhD student must relocate to Grand Rapids for these six (6) classes; rather, the majority of the PhD courses will be offered in modular or intensive (i.e., week-long) format, thus allowing the accepted student to travel back and forth to Grand Rapids, and still fulfill the residency requirement.

Because PRTS endeavors to create a community of learners within the doctoral program, each doctoral student is required to be on campus during the month of August at least once per year for the first three years of the student’s program, or until the student has completed the comprehensive examination. Apart from the modular courses that will occur during the month of August, special PhD seminars and dinners may be arranged. Furthermore, the PhD student is encouraged to attend the annual PRTS conference; this conference is always held near the end of August.

• Required Coursework and Credits

A total of twelve courses are required for the PhD program (including 2 external courses). PhD students in the Historical Theology (Reformation, Post-Reformation) program must take the following courses:

• CH900 Research Methodology – 3 credits
• CH901 Introduction to Reformation and Post-Reformation Studies – 3 credits
• BS/CH/ST902 Introduction to Reformed Spirituality and Piety – 3 credits
• BS/CH/ST991 Dissertation Proposal – 3 credits
• BS/CH/ST992 Teaching/Preaching Practicum – 3 credits

Students must take an additional seven courses for credit of which at least four courses must be from the area of concentration (designated by the prefix CH), one course from another doctoral concentration (either Biblical Studies or Systematic Theology), and two courses related to the student’s concentration must be taken from an external higher-education institution (an approved course partner of PRTS). Please consult the course schedule for doctoral courses related to the Historical Theology emphasis. Aside from these listed courses, students may upon approval enroll in CH999 – Directed Research, the course content and syllabus to be arranged between the student and the advisor.

• Dissertation Requirements

The following guidelines pertain to the PhD dissertation:

• Students must have an approved dissertation proposal.
• Students must offer in the dissertation an original research contribution that serves the academy and the church.
• Students will be assigned a supervisor and co-advisor; the student may recommend an external co-advisor to the supervisor and doctoral program committee. The recommendation may or may not be followed by the supervisor and doctoral program committee.
• The length of a dissertation is customarily between 80,000 and 100,000 words. This word limit includes footnotes, but excludes appendices and reference list / bibliography.
• It is strongly recommended that the dissertation be edited by a professional editor.
• The dissertation should include this dissertation letterhead as the first page.
• The submitted dissertation follow these guidelines .
• Upon acceptance of the dissertation by a three-fourths majority of the supervisor, co-advisor, and examiners, a public defense will be scheduled.

A final edited copy of the dissertation that incorporates suggestions of the supervisor, co-advisor, members of faculty, and examiners will be submitted no later than March 1 after acceptance of the doctoral work to the library of PRTS in electronic and paper format.

Dissertation Publication

Students are expected to:

• publish the dissertation with an internationally recognized academic publisher within one year after the public defense. The student will choose a publisher in consultation with the supervisor or,
• publish three articles as a result of the doctoral work in internationally recognized and peer-reviewed journals. The student will choose journals in consultation with the supervisor.
• publish the dissertation in such a form as to be of service to the church at large.
• Application for admission (non-refundable): $50.00
• Late registration fee: $50.00 per course
• Distance Education fee: $75.00 per course that is taken from a distance
• Graduation fee: $250.00

Content Guide

Do you have more questions about our PhD program?

• Biblical Studies
• Catechetics
• History of Christianity and Church History
• Historical and Systematic Theology
• Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology
• Moral Theology/Ethics
• Pastoral Studies
• Spirituality

School of Theology and Religious Studies

• Historical Theology (Ph.D.)

Doctor of Philosophy in Historical Theology

• Master of Arts (M.A.)
• Historical Theology (S.T.L.)
• Historical Theology (S.T.D.)
• Systematic Theology (S.T.L.)
• Systematic Theology (S.T.D.)
• Systematic Theology (Ph.D.)

The Doctorate of Philosophy in Historical Theology represents an achievement in theological scholarship and research. The Ph.D. program is designed to prepare graduate students to make significant contributions to knowledge in historical inquiry while broadening their understanding of other areas of theology. By means of research seminars, advanced level courses, language skills, comprehensives, and an extensive research project, the program is designed to develop graduates who are capable of thorough theological understanding and careful research. The focus in the course work, comprehensive examinations, and research for and writing of the dissertation is on the thought and the works (including manuscripts) of individual theologians or schools of theology in their theological, philosophical, ecclesial, socio-political, and cultural contexts ranging from the first century to the present. A dissertation in Historical Theology should be a work of original scholarly analysis and interpretation that challenges, expands upon, modifies, and overcomes previous interpretations and that draws upon the methods of theological, philological, historical, philosophical, and literary interpretation. In addition and specific to the general requirements outlined for obtaining a Civil Degree, the doctoral degree in Historical Theology requires the following:

Prerequisites

• At least twelve credit hours of undergraduate or graduate philosophy. Normally, these credits should be in four of the following areas: ancient philosophy, medieval philosophy, modern philosophy, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics.
• At least fifteen credit hours of undergraduate and/or graduate courses in theology of religious studies at a B grade level or above. These should include courses in the Old and New Testaments, church history, and systematic and moral theology. Upon review of an applicant's previous studies, some prerequisite courses may be required at the discretion of the admissions committee.

Course Requirements

• A minimum of thirty-six hours of coursework after the M.A. degree.
• Eighteen hours (including TRS 760A: Theological Foundations) are to be taken in the historical theology at the 700-level (lecture) and 800-level (seminars). At least twelve of these eighteen hours are to be taken in 800-level seminars which require major research papers.
• Twelve hours of electives that may be taken in any of the academic areas of the School of Theology and Religious Studies.
• Students who enter the Ph.D. program with an inadequate background are encouraged to audit 600 level courses in order to complement their courses at the 700 and 800 level.

Students in Historical Theology are encouraged to take a minor (6 credit hours) in some area other than Historical Theology.  They are encouraged to select Church History as a minor area of concentration.

Language Requirements

Candidates for the Ph.D. must demonstrate a reading knowledge of the following languages:

• Latin: Reading knowledge of Latin must be demonstrated by successful completion of the Latin Proficiency Exam administered by the Historical/Systematic area or by a course in Patristic or Medieval Latin. Ordinarily, the Latin requirement should be satisfied during a student's first fall semester in the program.
• Greek: Reading knowledge of either biblical or patristic Greek must be demonstrated either by the successful completion of a reading course in biblical or patristic Greek-depending upon the student's area of concentration-or by an examination administered by the Historical/Systematic area.
• German: Reading knowledge of theological German must be demonstrated either by passing an examination administered by the Historical/Systematic area or by passing TRS 504 Theological German.
• A major Romance language: Reading knowledge of a modern Romance language (French, Italian, Spanish) must be demonstrated by passing an examination administered by the Historical/Systematic area.

Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination

The examination will be based upon a reading list drawn up by the student in consultation with the three members of the examining board. The list should include approximately fifty substantive titles drawn from both primary and secondary sources as well as works by authors in other Christian traditions. Titles may be books, or a combination of articles by a single author, equivalent to book length. The reading list in historical theology should consist of fifteen books in the student's major historical period, ten books in each of the two other historical periods, and fifteen books in the student's theological area. The structure of the comprehensive exam is explained in the Comprehensive Exam Handbook .

• 한국어|中 文|日本語

The Doctor of Philosophy

Historical theology.

In addition to the stated purpose of the PhD program at SEBTS, the purpose of the PhD in Historical Theology is to prepare students who (1) desire to teach historical theology or a related discipline in colleges and seminaries; (2) desire to minister as pastor-theologians in local churches; (3) desire to use historical theology in their ministries in global mission contexts.

Modified Residency

Residential

At a Glance

phd introduction

phd integrative colloquium

phd research seminars

phd mentor directed studies

phd comprehensive exams

phd prospectus and dissertation

Total Hours

At Southeastern, I started seeing that all of life is worship and all of life has a missional intentionality to it. All of life has a missional thrust to it as life lived out before the face of God.

Thomas West MDiv and PhD Alum

PhD In Context

What can i do with this degree.

Teach in Higher Education

Do Academic Research

Serve the Local Church as a Pastor-Theologian

What Courses Will I Take?

Below is a sample of the required courses. To see a complete list, view the academic catalog .

• HTH 9640 – Seminar in Patristic Theology
• HTH 9700 – Seminar in Reformation Theology
• HTH 9800 – Seminar in Baptist Theology
• THE 9900 – Seminar on Contemporary Theology

My favorite part of teaching Theology is seeing students grasp the amazing wonder of Jesus Christ through a serious engagement with the Bible, growing their love for our Triune God.

Steve McKinion

Director of PhD and ThM Studies Professor of Theology and Patristic Studies

Who Will Teach Me?

Steven A. McKinion

Stephen B. Eccher

Charles Edward Lawless, Jr.

John S. Hammett

Need More Information?

Study to serve however you're called..

Doctoral Studies

Driven by a passion to see God’s glory magnified and the church strengthened, we offer doctoral studies that equip men and women to serve faithfully in the church, on the mission field, and in the academy.

Educating Scholars Since 1892

In 1892, Southern Seminary initiated its doctoral programs with a commitment to the Scriptures and to the training of more effective ministers of the gospel. For over 120 years, we have been devoting ourselves to training men and women who will serve faithfully in the church, on the mission field, and in the academy.

Degree Programs

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

70 Hours · 4 Years

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy program is to equip students in a confessional context for academic excellence and to prepare them to teach and research in their fields of study for the glory of God and the good of his church.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

60 Hours · 2.5 Years

The purpose of the Doctor of Education program is to equip students in a confessional context for academic excellence and to prepare them to teach and research in the fields of education and leadership for the glory of God and the growth of his church.

Doctor of Missiology (D.Miss.)

64 Hours · 3-4 Years

The purpose of the Doctor of Missiology program is to equip students in a confessional context for academic excellence and to prepare them to teach and research in the field of missiology for the glory of God and the mission of his church around the world.

Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)

32 Hours · 3 Years

The Doctor of Ministry degree equips ministry leaders with the skills necessary to achieve excellence in their vocational and personal lives. Fully online options are now available.

Doctor of Educational Ministry (D.Ed.Min.)

46 Hours · 3 Years

The Doctor of Educational Ministry equips persons committed to Christian leadership for excellence in the practice of education, discipleship, leadership, church revitalization, missions, and counseling. Fully online options are now available.

Master of Theology (Th.M.)

25 Hours · 1.5 Years

The purpose of the Master of Theology program is to equip students in a confessional context for greater mastery of a particular theological discipline.

3 Reasons to Study Doctoral Studies at Southern

Academic Excellence

Satisfying the highest standard of accreditation, Southern Seminary’s doctoral programs are committed to providing rigorous and advanced preparation so that our graduates are able to contribute at the highest levels of scholarship and church leadership.

Confessional Commitment

Southern Seminary is committed to the authority and inerrancy of the Bible and to the Abstract of Principles, our confession of faith. Students will learn within this confessional environment while being challenged to think deeply about their theological beliefs and to apply them to their ministry and scholarship.

Global Impact

Doctoral graduates from Southern Seminary serve at the highest level in churches, on mission fields, and in seminaries all over the world. Southern Seminary has more graduates teaching at ATS schools than any other evangelical institution and our graduates lead some of the largest missions organizations in the world.

Hear from our graduates

In their own words

“God used my time at Southern Seminary to help shape my walk with him and ministry to his people. My professors at SBTS were great teachers, gifted writers, and trusted theologians but what impacted me the most was their godly example. I listened to their lectures and learned from their assignments, but the greatest and most significant impact came from the way the lived their lives. I am thankful that God allowed me to sit under leaders of this caliber and grateful for the continuing legacy of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.”

“My time at Southern profoundly impacted me. Not only did my understanding of God’s Word and theology deepen, my love for the Lord and for the church increased as a result of my time with professors, other students, and in study. I gained skills for ministry that continue to contribute to my pastoral work today.”

“My time at Southern was an immense blessing for which I remain ever grateful. I was given the opportunity to learn from some of the most gifted teachers the evangelical world has to offer and to live in community with men and women from around the world who loved the Lord, treasured the Scriptures, and were devoted to God’s church. What a gift! I praise God for Southern Seminary and I continue to pray for the Lord’s blessing on this important institution.”

“The faculty and community of Southern Seminary had a profound impact on my life and ministry preparation. My time both inside and outside the classroom contributed to a big view of the triune God and an urgency for God’s global mission. I am grateful for God’s kindness to me and my family during my time at Southern Seminary.”

“The Lord profoundly used the faculty of Southern Seminary to form me into who I am today. They challenged me intellectually in the biblical languages, theology, and church history. Their instruction bore in me the love of rigorous, yet joyful, discovery in and study of God’s word. They encouraged me in my Christian walk and sanctification by stressing conformity to Christ through reading and obeying his word, not with a monastic or mystical method, but practically as a member of Christ’s body in a local church. Without Southern’s faculty, I simply would not be who I am today. ”

“The PhD program at Southern Seminary equipped me with a deeper theological understanding that fuels every aspect of my ministry today. While the process was challenging, my time at Southern still serves as an invaluable aspect of completing the calling God gave me for his glory and the edification of his church.”

Our Faculty

Southern’s world-renowned faculty are brilliant scholars, experienced pastors, and seasoned theologians with over 1,000 years of combined teaching experience, over 900 years of combined ministry experience, and more than 350 books published.

Our Core Values

These are the principles that guide doctoral studies at southern seminary..

We seek to provide the highest level of scholarship and academic training possible in service to the church and the advancement of the Great Commission.

Relationally Driven

Scholarship is best produced in community. At Southern, professors and students eagerly seek to learn from one another and spur each other on in the faith.

Personal Development

It is the desire of the faculty to see each student grow intellectually, skillfully, and spiritually during their academic endeavor.

Influential Publication

Southern Seminary professors are at the forefront of evangelical scholarship and part of doctoral studies at Southern involves learning to contribute to scholarly discussion through publication.

Global Focus

Theological education is a global endeavor. Southern expects that its professors and graduates will seek to make disciples of every tribe and tongue through cross-cultural teaching and missionary endeavors.

Contact Admissions

Phone: (502) 897-4200

Text: (502) 305-3554

Email: [email protected]

Are you ready to become a pastor, counselor, or church leader who is Trusted for Truth?

Apply now for summer or fall studies, classes begin in june & aug..

Master of Theology (ThM) in Church History Rooting the Present in Time-Tested Principles

Credit Hours

View Courses

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Liberty University’s Master of Theology in Church History Can Help You Use the Past to Impact Your Future in Ministry

Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Theology (ThM) in Church History degree can help you become more effective in your discipleship ministries by building a foundational knowledge rooted in the history of the Christian church. By engaging in courses focused on the historical development of Christian theology, classical Reformation, global Christianity, and American Christianity, you can gain a new level of expertise to use in your career. This program is often pursued by Christian educators, lay ministry leaders, and missionaries who are looking to expand their knowledge of the history of the Church following the completion of a Master of Divinity or its equivalent.

Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity provides ThM students with professors who have an abundance of experience in the field. As a student, you will gain a solid, biblically based education from our renowned faculty who bring a firm commitment to conservative evangelical theology to the classroom. While obtaining your Master of Theology degree, you can also build a strong network of like-minded individuals by collaborating with educators and fellow students.

Whether you want to conduct scholarly research, further your career in Christian service, or complete a degree program at the doctoral level, Liberty’s ThM in Church History degree online can help you pursue your passion and calling as you deepen your understanding of the Christian faith. You can learn about important foundations and historical movements within the Christian church and gain a valuable credential that can help you explore new employment opportunities. Partner with us and learn how to address challenges in the Church today by drawing on lessons from the past.

Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Why Choose Liberty University’s Master of Theology Degree in Church History Online?

As a student in Liberty University’s Master of Theology in Church History program, you will have access to a variety of resources to help further your knowledge and skills. Our professors are committed to preparing you for a successful career as they teach you from a biblical worldview and help provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary to serve well in a ministry-related role.

Our Master of Theology in Church History degree is offered 100% online, which allows you to gain a quality education and still be involved with your family, in your job, and in your community.

Additionally, Liberty is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ), meaning your degree will be well-respected by organizations and employers across the nation.

Benefits of Pursuing Your Online Master of Theology at Liberty University:

• Unlike many online Bible colleges or seminaries, Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ).
• Our church history and theology degree online is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools ( ATS ).
• Our professors have years of experience in the field and are available to mentor and pray for you as you pursue your historical theology degree.

Accreditation

Liberty Theological Seminary, as part of Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, is accredited by the  Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools ( ATS ) . Your seminary degree is approved by ATS and has met rigorous accreditation standards, so you can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.

What Will You Study in Our Master of Theology in Church History Degree?

Your ThM courses will be filled with challenging, quality content that can help you feel more prepared and confident for your ministry. Our classes can give you a deeper understanding of Christian doctrine and how to confront contemporary doctrinal issues commonly seen today. You can gain a level of expertise in understanding the history of evangelicalism and how it molded the Church today.

Additionally, you will gain a global perspective of the Church when looking into cultural contexts, key personalities, and movements that contributed to the spread and identity of global Christianity. After completing your theology degree, you can be better prepared to make an impact in your community through deep biblical teaching and a thorough understanding of the Church’s history.

Our ThM degree in church history can help give you a new range of skills and knowledge as you work to further the Great Commission. By engaging in our theology degree online, you can become equipped to make a bigger impact than ever before.

Potential Career Opportunities

Our Master of Theology degree provides quality training that can help you thrive in the following roles:

• Bible instructor
• College or seminary professor
• Ministry worker
• Nonprofit worker
• Pastoral counselor

Featured Courses

• CHHI 610 – Historical Development of Christian Theology
• CHHI 620 – History of Global Christianity
• CHHI 660 – American Christianity
• CHHI 670 – History of Evangelicalism

Degree Information

• This program falls under the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity .
• View the Graduate Divinity Course Guides (login required) .

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Electronic textbooks are provided for many divinity courses* all for one convenient fee. To continue our mission of providing affordable education, this fee is waived for students who enroll by Summer 2024 D-term.

*Electronic textbooks are not provided for courses that fall under departments outside the School of Divinity.

These rates also apply to the MA in Pastoral Counseling, which falls under the School of Behavioral Sciences.

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for Liberty’s ThM in Church History Degree Online

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system) showing regionally or nationally accredited degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels are required. Transcripts must show a Master of Divinity (or M.Div. equivalent — see M.Div. Equivalency Policy below) with a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission in good standing. Please note: Students that confer a master’s degree with Liberty University and apply for the Th.M. must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in order to gain admissions. Students with an LU graduate GPA below 3.0 will be denied admission.
• Submit Contact Information for a Pastoral Recommendation
• Submit the School of Divinity Questionnaire
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

M.Div. Equivalency Policy

• Regionally or nationally accredited seminary degree with at least a 3.0 GPA for admission in good standing
• 72 accredited graduate hours (any graduate credit)
• 9 hours in graduate-level Bible and/or theology
• 9 hours in graduate-level church history, apologetics, evangelism, discipleship, global studies, leadership, homiletics, and/or church ministries

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

[email protected]

Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

Ready to Apply?

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
• Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

• Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for part-time graduate and postgraduate divinity courses
• Discounted divinity block rate – $2,475 per semester *
• Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course) **
• 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

These benefits also apply to the MA in Pastoral Counseling, which falls under the School of Behavioral Sciences.

*Credits taken below 9 and above 15 credit hours per semester are charged at the part-time rate.

**Not applicable to certificates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do with a master of theology in church history online.

This Christian religious history degree can help you pursue a variety of roles in academia, nonprofit organizations, parachurch settings, and church leadership. It can also help prepare you for a doctoral divinity program , such as the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) .

What is the difference between a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology in Church History?

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is a graduate-level program designed to help you pursue various roles in ministry, particularly if you want to become an ordained pastor. At 75 credit hours, Liberty’s Master of Divinity offers a rigorous curriculum that can help you gain in-depth knowledge of the Greek and Hebrew languages, discipleship, apologetics, evangelism, and other related disciplines.

In contrast, the Master of Theology (ThM) is a postgraduate program, which means it’s designed to be completed after you’ve earned a master’s degree. Our ThM in Church History is a step above a master’s degree and a step below a doctorate.

If you already hold an MDiv (or an equivalent degree), Liberty’s Master of Theology in Church History degree program provides additional training beyond the master’s level to help you further hone your research and ministry skills. At just 30 credit hours, our Christian history degree online can help you gain specialized knowledge and pursue your goals.

What are the benefits of pursuing a ThM in Church History?

An important benefit of studying church history is that you can draw on lessons from the past to help strengthen your ministry and personal walk with God — allowing you to make a difference in the Church today. Our professors have years of ministry experience and are committed to Training Champions for Christ .

Inner Navigation

• Why Choose Liberty?
• What Will You Study?
• Admission Information

Have questions?

Are you ready to change your future?

Apply FREE This Week*

Request Information

*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

Request Information About a Program

Request info about liberty university online, what program are you interested in, choose a program level.

Choose a program level

Bachelor’s

Master’s

Certificate

Select a Field of Study

Select a field of study

Select a Program

Select a program

Next: Contact Info

Legal full name.

Enter legal full name

Legal Last Name

Enter legal last name

Enter an email address

Enter a phone number

Full Address

Enter an address

Apt., P.O. Box, or can’t find your address? Enter it manually instead .

Select a Country

Street Address

Enter Street Address

Enter State

ZIP/Postal Code

Enter Zip Code

Back to automated address search

Start my application now for FREE

Veritas International University

Doctor of Philosophy in Archaeology & Biblical History

PhD Program Brochure

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Archaeology and Biblical History is a highly flexible program comprised of a 42 unit course of study that may be completed in as little as   2 years, but is designed for 48 months of full time study (approximately 6 units per semester). The student must complete a total of 42 units above a qualifying master’s degree either through distance education or residential attendance (or a combination of both) according to institutional policy regarding VIU credits, transfer credits, and allowances for advanced standing based on a portfolio as applicable.

The 42 units are divided into three 14-unit sections: (Section One) courses, workshop, laboratory, and/or arranged (independent) study courses, (Section Two) fieldwork at archaeological excavations, and (Section Three) dissertation.

• Section One – Courses. The 14 units of courses are completed by fulfilling the requirements set forth in a given syllabus. Courses can be taken either through a residential classroom, distance or arranged course, or by a combination of the two approaches.*
• Section Two – Fieldwork. The 14 units of fieldwork courses are 2 units each, and must be completed in conjunction with an approved archaeological excavation, field school, or study tour.
• Section Three – Dissertation. The student will complete a doctoral dissertation (14 units) comprised of original research. The 14-unit dissertation process is designed so that the student makes a significant contribution to the disciplines of archaeology and biblical studies/history.

The three sections combine to form an interdisciplinary program emphasizing organic, cause-and-effect relationships between biblical and ancient Near Eastern history discernable from archaeological, anthropological, and comparative literary inquiry, with the purpose of developing competent, biblically-grounded archaeologists who are able to:

• Perform and/or direct methodologically sound archaeological research, exploration, and excavation in the field.
• Demonstrate the historical reliability of biblical narratives via professional publication and media.
• Contribute to a hermeneutical framework that seeks to comprehend biblical texts in the light of ancient Near Eastern contexts.

Courses may be completed through the following venues or a combination thereof:

• Authorized VIU campus in Albuquerque, NM.
• VIU distance learning courses.
• Required fieldwork performed at an authorized archaeological excavation.
• Arranged independent distance courses (only if the course is not regularly offered)

Program Objectives

• To investigate and demonstrate that ancient Near Eastern history and biblical history, properly understood, constitute the same reality.
• To develop archaeological research and fieldwork skills to a significant level of competency.
• To apply dialogical analysis in the interpretation and application of archaeological data vis-à-vis the Bible.
• To articulate the value of archaeological data in defending the historical authenticity and accuracy of the Bible.
• To interpret biblical narratives from ancient Near Eastern contexts, including material culture and literature.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the PhD in Archaeology & Biblical History requires applicants to:

• Hold an MA (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution in an appropriate field (ancient Near Eastern history and/or archaeology, biblical history, anthropology, etc).
• Show high promise of future usefulness to the church and/or society as evidenced by a 500 word essay describing your archaeological goals, past accomplishments in the field, and potential benefit to society and/or the church.
• Submit a writing sample of a previously completed paper on a topic relating to archaeology and/or biblical history or ancient Near Eastern history.
• Have reading proficiency in biblical languages (Greek I and II/Hebrew I and II). If applicants have deficiency in biblical languages, admission may still be granted though additional language coursework may be required.
• Have the ability to handle doctoral level work in the English language. For non-native English speakers, a TOEFL exam may be required.

PhD Program Prerequisites

If the student enters the PhD in Archaeology and Biblical History program from the 66-unit VIU MA in Archaeology and Biblical History, then the PhD program will consist of 42 units: 14 units of workshop, laboratory, and/or arranged courses (Section One); 14 units of fieldwork (Section Two), and the 14-unit dissertation (Section Three).

If the student enters the PhD program with less than 48 units in their archaeology Masters program from another institution, then the number of required PhD program units may be raised accordingly to satisfy the deficiency. The PhD program director and VIU Academic Dean will review the student’s degree program, academic portfolio, fieldwork experience, and doctoral transfer credits (if any) in order to determine the configuration of the individual PhD program.

Section One: Course Requirements – 14 Units

The student will complete seven of the following workshops, laboratory, and arranged courses for a total of 14 units.

AR1020 Workshop: Ceramic Sorting: Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project (2 units)

AR1021 Workshop: Advanced Ceramic Typology (2 units)

AR1022 Workshop: Archaeological Drawing Techniques (2 units)

AR1023 Workshop: Architectural Reconstruction Drawing in Archaeology (2 units)

AR1050 Laboratory: Floatation Sample Analysis (2 units)

AR1051 Laboratory: Faunal and Human Bone Analysis (2 units)

AR1052 Laboratory: Object and Ceramic Conservation (2 units)

AR1180 Arranged Course (2 units)

AR1181 Arranged Course (2 units)

Section Two: Fieldwork Requirements – 14 Units

The student will complete the following seven archaeological fieldwork and methods requirements for a total of 14 units (2 units each):

AR1151, AR1152, AR1153, AR1154, AR1155, AR1156, AR1157

The rigor and procedures of archaeological data collection and the fundamentals of excavation methods and techniques are covered in these courses of study. Practical instruction in archaeological protocol(s) are discussed and evaluated. The use of current and emerging technologies, the integration of relevant disciplines, archaeometric techniques, and modern cultural protocols are topics of discussion in the Field School accompanying any approved archaeological excavation. The student will come away with a good sense of how an excavation project is organized, operated, and funded. The student will also gain a wealth of excavation experience, including experience at the supervisory level.

The student has multiple options for the completion of fieldwork requirements. A minimum of two field seasons at an approved excavation project in the Near East is a base requirement. Unit evaluations are based on the number of ACH of experience gained. Generally, 1 unit is allowed for each week (45 ACH) of participation. Additional assignment credit can be given based on project rigor and related items such as associated research, writing, and publication. A total of 14 units of excavation and related experience is required to fulfill the 14 units of this Section.

Section Three: Dissertation and Procedure/Guidelines – 14 Units

Under consultation of the Program Director, the student will select an acceptable topic on which to perform original research and write a doctoral dissertation (AR1551 Dissertation). The dissertation shall conform to SBL or Turabian format, with the text-proper being no less than 250 pages (not including bibliography, appendices, charts, tables, figures, etc.), and not exceeding 500 pages. Three VIU PhD faculty members and one external reader shall constitute the students dissertation committee. The topic must be: 1) a unique contribution to the field of study and 2) incorporate aspects of both archaeology and biblical history. The dissertation shall be defended before the committee and other members of the VIU PhD faculty. (See the AR1551 syllabus for details).

Comprehensive Examination

A comprehensive exam must be completed in order to determine the student’s proficiency in archaeology and biblical history, archaeological analysis, and the relevant literature. The comprehensive exam may be scheduled with the program director after all coursework and fieldwork have been completed. After the comprehensive exam is complete, the student may enroll in AR1551 Dissertation.

Time Limits

Students must complete all coursework, field study, and comprehensive exams within 5 years of first registration into the program. Students will then have 3 years from completing the comprehensive exam to complete the dissertation and live defense (Viva Voce) along with subsequent revisions.

For inquires, contact the program administrator, Jeannine Bulot. , [email protected]

Student Achievement

2021 Annual Report

2021 Annual Program Report

Accreditation and Assessment

Academic Catalog

Student Complaint Policy

Veritas International University (VIU) is an accredited non-profit 501(c)(3) religious corporation with its own Board of Directors, and without affiliation to any particular church organization, denomination, or another institution.

• Skip to content
• About Accessibility on our website

• Staff Directory
• Church History
• University Home
• The School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History
• Disciplines

1st in the UK

Divinity at the University of Aberdeen was ranked 1st in the UK for overall quality of research

Church History at the University of Aberdeen offers a wide range of topics and approaches focusing on the earliest years of the Christian Church through to the current day. The unit works together closely with other theological disciplines such as Systematic Theology and Practical Theology, or related disciplines such as Medieval and Early Modern History.

Click the tabs below for more information on what Aberdeen has to offer by way of research expertise and doctoral supervision, how to apply, and what students can expect when studying with us.

Staff focus on Patristic, Medieval, Reformation and Modern Theology and Spirituality in the Ecclesiastical, Political, and Social Context of Western Europe (Central Europe, England and Scotland). Historical Theology is also supervised from within the Systematic Theology group. Expertise is offered in the areas of the early church, Patristics, the history of Western Christian thought, Reformation, Reformation theology and Protestant scholasticism, Methodist history and theology, modern Christian theology, modern Church History, Evangelicalism, Missionary History and Revivals.

We are interested in hearing from students wishing to undertake postgraduate level work in Church History at the doctoral level. Please contact one of the supervisors below if you are thinking about applying for a PhD in their subject area.

Professor John Behr : Supervision areas include:  The Gospel of John and the Apocalypse and their reception; Patristics, especially questions of exegesis, theological and dogmatic reflection, spirituality, and issues of canon/criterion in theology; Byzantine Theology; Modern Orthodox Theology and Eastern Orthodoxy in the West; Phenomenology and hermeneutics in theological reflection.

Dr Marie-Luise Ehrenschwendtner : Supervision areas include: medieval religious developments in their various manifestations, medieval mysticism and piety, both in theory and practice, and both in their orthodox and heterodox appearances; the theology, spirituality and practical piety of the Episcopalian Church in the North-East of Scotland; aspects of medieval women’s religious lives, with special emphasis on their involvement in contemporary culture as readers and authors and their participation in the monastic reform movements of the late 14th to 16th centuries.

Rev Dr Ken Jeffrey : Supervision areas include: the history of Evangelicalism, the history of Revivals and Revivalism, Missionary History, modern Church History, the Nineteenth Century, the life and ministry of Billy Graham, contemporary Church History in relation to pioneer ministry and new patterns of ministry, the intersection of Church History and Practical Theology.

The following are some selected publications relating to Church History by staff at the University of Aberdeen:

Dr Marie-Luise Ehrenschwendtner

• 'Creating the sacred space within: enclosure as a defining feature in the convent life of Medieval Dominican sisters (13th–15th C.)' . Viator , vol 41, no. 2, pp. 301-316.
• Die Bildung der Dominikanerinnen in Sueddeutschland vom 13.-15. Jahrhundert . Unknown Publisher, Stuttgart: Franz-Steiner-Verlag (Contubernium, 60).

Rev Dr Ken Jeffrey

• Jeffrey, KS 2002, When the Lord walked the land: The 1858-62 Revival in the North East of Scotland. Studies in Evangelical History and Thought, Paternoster Press, Carlisle.
• Jeffrey, KS 1998, 'Physical Phenomena in the 1859 Ulster Revival' The Rutherford Journal

Some helpful links for further information and resources in Church History include:

• Ecclesiastical History Society
• American Society of Church History
• Church History: Studies in Christianity and Culture
• Scottish Church History Society

ThM/PhD in Theological Studies and Church History

The ThM/PhD in Theological Studies and Church History programs form scholar-theologians for the Asian church by equipping them to apply the insights of Christian theology in the Asian context and to tell the largely untold story of Asia’s Christian communities. The ThM is a research-oriented degree that builds on an MDiv or sometimes, with supplemental coursework, an MA. The PhD is a research-oriented degree that builds on an earned Master’s degree. It is the most advanced degree in the fields of Theological Studies, and is intended for those who engage in intensive and original research in a specific academic discipline. 

After completing a ThM or PhD in Theological Studies or Church History, graduates typically serve in teaching, leadership, or administrative roles in their churches, colleges, or seminaries, and continue writing and research projects designed to aid the church in living out its distinctive calling in the Asian context. AGST’s ThM/PhD in Theological Studies and Church History has a long legacy of preparing faithful leaders for the church and academy in Asia and around the globe. Today, our graduates serve as deans and presidents at Bible colleges and seminaries throughout Asia and beyond, and are leading the way in pioneering new resources for the Majority World church. 

Why pursue ThM/PhD in Theological Studies and Church History? 

Join a community of scholar-theologians being equipped to teach and lead the next generation of Asian Christians. 

• Be equipped to be a thought leader in your church, academic institution, or by sharpening your skills in theological reflection, research, and communication.
• Gain a credential suitable for teaching in an academic environment. The ThM generally qualifies one to teach at the MA and MDiv levels; the PhD qualifies one to teach at all levels of instruction, including PhD.
• AGST’s ThM/PhD program is accredited by the Asia Theological Association, and its programs are officially recognized by the Philippines Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Program Distinctives  

• Small-batch courses offer rich opportunities to learn from leading local and international faculty.
• Emphasis on contextual reflection informed by close analysis of local realities, the great treasures of the Christian tradition, and the best insights of contemporary scholarship.
• Students and faculty come from a rich diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, and unite around evangelical faith.
• Mentoring from local faculty focuses on spiritual and character formation alongside academic growth and acquisition of scholarly skills.
• Wide-ranging digital library resources to support student learning; physical libraries at IGSL and AGST consortium schools are also available for student use.
• Program of study culminates in a thesis (ThM) or dissertation (PhD) project focused on an issue relevant to your ministry context.

Program Committee and Faculty  

The AGST ThM/PhD in Theological Studies and Church History is hosted by the International Graduate School of Leadership. It is led by Dr. Stephen Pardue, who began serving as program director in August 2020. 

Dr. Pardue holds a PhD in Theology from Wheaton College. He serves as Program Director for Asia Graduate School of Theology’s ThM/PhD program in Theological Studies and Church History, and also teaches theology at the International Graduate School of Leadership. He also serves as the Associate Publications Secretary for ATA Publications, overseeing the development of new textbooks for the growing Asian church. He is the author of  The Mind of Christ: Humility in Early Christian Theology  (T&T Clark) and co-editor of Asian Christian Theology (ATA Publications/Langham), Majority World Theology (InterVarsity), and the Majority World Theology series (Eerdmans/Langham). Steve serves as a lay leader at Union Church of Manila and is married to Teri; together they keep busy raising their four children: Ava, Lucy, Simon, and Ivy.

Areas of interest: Contextual Theologies, Christology in Asia, Theological Method, virtue ethics and theology, humility.

Dr. Joseph serves IGSL as Director for Leadership Programs and Academic Dean (OIC). He joined IGSL as full-time faculty in June 2018. He also teaches in the Theological Studies department. 

Before coming to IGSL, Dr. Joseph was a professor at the Asian Christian Academy-Evangelical Theological seminary near Bangalore, India from 1999 to 2018. While he primarily taught in the Theological Studies department, he has also taught courses in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Theology. He served there as the Director of Administrative Affairs from 1999-2003 and as Academic Dean during the 2003-2004 school year. Most recently he directed the PhD studies department of the seminary from 2012 to 2018. 

Abraham was ordained into Christian ministry in 1999 by his home church in New York City, and served on the pastoral staff of Bangalore Evangelical Church from 2012 to 2016. He currently attends Union Church of Manila. He is married to Laura and they have two children, Abigail and Andrew. Their basset hound, Lego (short for Legolas) is also a beloved member of the family. 

Areas of interest: Pastoral theology, theology of Christian ministry, doctrine of God, theological interpretation of Scripture

Dr. Peñamora holds a Ph.D.in Theology with a concentration in Christian Ethics from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California, USA. He serves as Executive Director of the Theology Commission, and the Justice, Peace and Reconciliation Commission of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC). He is also the Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Christian-Muslim Relations. Aldrin is the co-editor of Christologies, Cultures and Religions: Portraits of Christ in the Philippines (OMF Literature and ATA), and he has published essays both locally and abroad. He is also the co-editor of Asian Christian Ethics: Evangelical Perspectives and Faith and Bayan: Filipino Evangelical Responses to Contemporary Social Political Questions (both forthcoming publications from Langham). Aldrin is an affiliate faculty of Asia Graduate School of Theology and Asian Theological Seminary. He is an ordained minister of the Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines (CBAP), and is married to Christine Ching-Peñamora.

Areas of interest: Political and Public Theologies, Christocentric Ethics, Just Peacemaking, Interfaith and Christian-Muslim Relations  

Dr. Barber holds a PhD in Intercultural Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is chair of the Intercultural Studies discipline at IGSL and teaches courses in Contextualization, Asian Religions, and Church Planting.

Dr. Barber served as a church planter for 23 years in Japan. He then taught 3 years at Eastwest College of Intercultural Studies in New Zealand before coming to IGSL in 2016. 

Dr. Barber wrote research articles entitled, “Host-directed Short-term Missions: Interviews with Japanese liaisons” and “Globalization, Contextualization and Indigeneity” both published in Missiology . He also co-authored with Robert Priest the chapter, “Culture and the Missional Engagement with Good and Evil: What We Learned About Contextualization from J. Robertson McQuilkin”, in the book Transformed from Glory to Glory.

Ron and Amy have been married since 1982 and have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

Areas of interest: Contextualization, Ethnic Identity, Globalization

Dr. Ang was born and raised in Manila, Philippines, where she also received her bachelor’s degree in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs and her MDiv and ThM degrees in Biblical Studies and Theological Studies, respectively. Her ThM thesis was on John Calvin’s thoughts on Communio Sanctorum and its relevance to contemporary Philippine political engagement. While working on her MDiv and ThM degrees, she taught and co-taught courses in theology, biblical languages, and preaching at the International Graduate School of Leadership (IGSL). 

Dr. Ang also currently teaches Global Christian History at the Biblical Seminary of the Philippines (BSOP) and serves as a committee member of AGST’s ThM/PhD program in Theological Studies/Church History. 

Beatrice’s immediate family consists of her parents, grandmother, three siblings, a brother-in-law, and one very sweet and intelligent niece. She enjoys music, art, detective stories, and long walks in lovely scenery.

Areas of interest: John Chrysostom, Patristics, Systematic Theology, Church History, Preaching, Bible 

ThM Program Design

• New cohorts begin every August
• At present, all coursework is delivered online. As conditions allow, we may open face-to-face opportunities for study. For further information about present plans in light of conditions and local government policies, please use the inquiry form  here . Note: The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has suspended previous restrictions on digital learning in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and a moratorium on most in-person educational activities in the Philippines. However, international students may need to be aware of certain restrictions on receiving a CHED-recognized degree when studying in a fully online format. (This should not affect the validity of your degree vis-à-vis ATA recognition.)
• Courses delivered via IGSL’s Learning Management System, Canvas
• Courses are delivered both via modules in January and June, and in semesters (August-December and January-May)

Admission Requirements and Process  

• Twelve (12) credit hours in graduate-level biblical studies;
• Twelve (12) credit hours in graduate-level theological studies; Six (6) credit hours in graduate-level Hebrew and six (6) credit hours in graduate-level Greek. Studients who have not completed these requirements in their previous coursework may receive offers of admission conditional upon the completion of supplemental coursework requirements.
• A TOEFL score of at least 550 or the equivalent for all applicants whose first language is not English
• At least 3 years of ministry experience
• Admission Process
• To apply to the ThM program, complete the online form  here:
• To apply to the PhD program, complete the online form  here:
• Pay application fee (one-time, non-refundable): USD 35
• A TOEFL score of at least 550 or the equivalent is required for all applicants whose first language is not English. If you do not have a recent TOEFL score (valid within two years from the test date), you will be required to take an English Proficiency Test administered by IGSL at USD 10 fee.
•  The Program Director or member of the program committee will conduct a brief online interview to get to know you. This will also present an opportunity for you to ask further questions about the program.
• Submit writing sample.
• Submit official transcripts. These must be directly from all institutions of higher education you attended. Transcripts in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation.Notification of completed application
• Application Dates
• Applications for joining the program open at the start of the calendar year for applicants seeking to matriculate the following August (e.g., those seeking to start their studies in the 2022-2023 school year may begin applying in January 2022). For consideration in the first round of admissions, applications and supporting documents must be received by April 1. Later applications will be considered if the first round of decisions has not filled all open seats for the incoming year.
• January 1: New applications open
• May 1: Applications for round 1 of admissions must be complete
• April 30: Round 1 Admissions decisions
• June 30: Round 2 Admissions decisions (if slots remain available after Round 1)
• Tuition Fees

Graduation Requirements

The ThM/PhD degree is awarded upon successful completion of the following:

• Satisfactory completion of 24-credit hours of coursework with at least 1.75 GPA (B). 
• Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive examination. 
• Completion and successful defense of 6 credit hours thesis (for ThM)/9 credit hours defense (for PhD) 
• Satisfactory completion of all other requirements (languages, etc.) specified by the student’s program committee. 

All these requirements must be completed within three years of matriculation into the program for full-time students and within five years for part-time students. Petition to extend the statute of limitation may be made by a student to the Program Committee.

Scholarship Application

• Limited scholarship funds are available to students with financial need and serving in Majority World contexts.
• Before applying, students should seek support from their church, organization, teaching institution, and family; in addition to academic promise and strategic impact, the program seeks to prioritize applicants with strong support from their ministry stakeholders. Maintaining a scholarship will require remaining in good standing with the program, including a GPA of 1.75 or higher.

Contact information  

If you have questions or would like more information about the program, you may send your inquiries, here .

Prepare to do good.

The boston university school of theology doctor of ministry program prepares faith leaders for transformative change in their communities.

• Name * First Last
• I am interested in: * Joining an upcoming online info session A one-on-one discussion with an admissions officer Receiving more information about the program

Anyone can become a transformational leader. With the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Transformational Leadership at Boston University School of Theology, you will build new skills and explore new ideas, understand your community and know its strengths and needs, and see new possibilities for transformative change. 

Classes will engage and challenge you while you learn as part of a global online cohort.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions about the program, and get in touch with us.