Location
Online
Curriculum
45 credit hours
Program Length
as few as 36 months
Accreditation
Nationally Accredited by ATS
Prepare to Teach the Next Generation — Earn an Accredited PhD (Theological Studies) Fully Online
At Columbia International University, our PhD (Theological Studies) program is designed specifically for individuals like you who have a passion for teaching in postsecondary theological higher education. If you are seeking an academic/philosophical doctoral program that equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in scholarly research and writing and make a meaningful contribution to the field of Theological Studies, our PhD (Theological Studies) program is designed to help you reach your goal.
You will engage in rigorous academic study explores the profound truths of Scripture, with a focus on the functional authority of Scripture.
You will develop advanced research and writing skills that allow you to contribute significantly to the field of Theological Studies.
You will gain valuable skills in presenting your scholarly work in a professional, organized, coherent and structured manner, both in written and oral form.
You will engage in a supervisory relationship with an experienced faculty mentor, who will help you navigate the responsibilities of your academic pursuits while embracing spiritual growth and exemplifying Christian character.
Throughout your journey in Columbia International University’s online PhD (Theological Studies) program, you will receive excellent academic instruction, intentional professional mentoring, and consistent academic support. You will develop the advanced research and writing skills necessary to make a scholarly contribution to the field of Theological Studies. You will present your research findings in a professional and compelling manner. You will embrace the transformative journey of intellectual growth while embodying the principles of Victorious Christian Living. You will prepare to become a well-rounded scholar and educator, equipped to make a lasting impact in postsecondary theological higher education both nationally and internationally.
Theological Studies is one of three concentrations within the PhD degree. Within the Theological Studies concentration, you may pursue a wide variety of research topics. You might wish to consider a topic in an area such Apologetics, Historical Theology, Systematic Theology, or Theological Ethics. If you have questions about how your anticipated topic might fit into the concentration, contact the program director for guidance. Note: In February 2022 the ATS Board of Commissioners approved a three-year experiment to offer a non-residential PhD degree as an exception to Standard 5.15, through a combination of online courses (synchronous and asynchronous) and one-on-one faculty mentoring sessions.
The other concentrations within the PhD degree are Biblical Studies and Practical Theology. (See the Concentrations below.)
Why Choose Columbia International University?
At Columbia International University, we are committed to providing you with a comprehensive and enriching educational experience through our ATS-accredited PhD (Theological Studies) program. Designed to equip you as a well-rounded scholar and educator, our program offers a unique blend of research-focused curriculum, individualized mentoring, and flexible online modality.
As a student in our PhD (Theological Studies) program, you will have the opportunity to delve deeply into your chosen area within the field of Theological Studies. Through rigorous research and academic exploration, you will gain a thorough understanding of your topic, contemporary biblical studies issues, and the methods scholars use in your chosen discipline.
Mentoring lies at the heart of our program. You will receive individualized guidance and support from an experienced faculty mentor who is a renowned scholar in his or her respective fields. Your mentor will provide personalized attention and expert advice as you navigate your research journey and develop your scholarly voice.
Our online modality offers you the flexibility of pursuing your doctoral studies while balancing other commitments in your life. Through our innovative online platform, you will have access to engaging course content, interactive discussions with faculty members and peers, and valuable resources that will enhance your learning experience.
Throughout your PhD journey, we are dedicated to preparing you to make a significant contribution to scholarship in your discipline. You will develop advanced research skills, critical thinking abilities, and scholarly writing expertise that will empower you to produce high-quality academic work. We believe in fostering a collaborative academic community, where you will have opportunities to engage in scholarly conversations and present your research findings to peers and faculty.
In addition to equipping you as a scholar, our PhD (Theological Studies) program prepares you to excel as an educator in theological higher education. Our curriculum includes pedagogical training, enabling you to teach and mentor future generations of students effectively in theological institutions both inside and outside the United States.
Benefits of our PhD (Theological Studies) Degree
Our unique PhD program is fully-online, dissertation-focused and follows the modified-European model. It offers you the opportunity to:
- Complete your entire program using fully online modality without relocating or coming to campus.
- Pay affordable tuition that saves you up to 50% of the cost of other seminary PhD programs and includes the cost of textbooks.
- Develop your skills in research, writing and teaching, while you pursue a wide variety of research topics.
- Focus your coursework on refining your anticipated dissertation topic before beginning your research.
- Engage in synchronous small group discussion sessions that foster a sense of community with your classmates.
- Work closely with a mentor whose areas of interest and expertise align closely with your dissertation topic.
- Develop a well-rounded understanding of the knowledge related to your discipline through tutorial discussions with your mentor.
- Engage regularly and intentionally with your dissertation mentor throughout the research and writing process.
- Complete your entire program in as few as three years.
Featured Faculty
What Will I Study?
- THE 9200 Issues and Methods in Theological Studies
You will survey significant contemporary issues in Historical Theology or Systematic Theology and review key methods used in theological study. You will then identify an issue and a method related to the area of your proposed dissertation topic and will explore each in depth. (3)
3.00 credit hours
- THE 9400 Principles of Teaching, Learning, and Course Design
You will review biblical perspectives on teaching and learning, survey principles of adult education, and explore best practices of course design and development. You will learn how to design lessons and courses that go beyond the communication of content to the facilitation of learning and will apply those skills to the creation of a course related to the area of your proposed dissertation topic. (3)
3.00 credit hours
- THE 9900 Theological Studies Dissertation Proposal
You will engage in guided practice of bibliographic (text-based) research that will prepare you to write a doctoral dissertation in Theological Studies. You will learn to craft a research problem, identify appropriate research methods, locate, evaluate, and document scholarly sources, structure argumentation, and write at the doctoral level. Building upon those skills, you will write a dissertation proposal that must be approved by the Dissertation Proposal Committee before you begin the dissertation research courses. (3)
3.00 credit hours
- THE 9901 Theological Studies Dissertation Research and Writing I
Upon successful completion of the dissertation proposal course, your supervising professor will guide you as you engage in research for a 90,000 - 110,000 word dissertation in a selected area of Theological Studies. (3-6) Repeatable.
6.00 credit hours
- THE 9902 Theological Studies Dissertation Research and Writing II
Upon successful completion of the dissertation proposal course, your supervising professor will guide you as you engage in research for a 90,000 - 110,000 word dissertation in a selected area of Theological Studies. (3-6) Repeatable. Prerequisite: THE 9901
6.00 credit hours
- THE 9903 Theological Studies Dissertation Research and Writing III
Upon successful completion of the dissertation proposal course, your supervising professor will guide you as you engage in research for a 90,000 - 110,000 word dissertation in a selected area of Theological Studies. (3-6) Repeatable. Prerequisite: THE 9902
6.00 credit hours
- THE 9904 Theological Studies Dissertation Research and Writing IV
Upon completing your dissertation research, you will continue working under your supervising professors direction to draft your 90,000 - 10,000 word dissertation. (3-6) Repeatable. Prerequisite: THE 9903
6.00 credit hours
- THE 9905 Theological Studies Dissertation Research and Writing V
Upon completing your dissertation research, you will continue working under your supervising professors direction to draft your 90,000 - 110,000 word dissertation. (3-6) Repeatable. Prerequisite: THE 9904
6.00 credit hours
- THE 9906 Theological Studies Dissertation Review & Defense
Upon successful completion of the dissertation research and writing courses and upon your supervising professors recommendation, you will submit the final draft of your 90,000 - 110,000 word dissertation to the Dissertation Defense Committee comprised of your supervising professor and two additional faculty members. Once the committee has read the dissertation, you will appear before them and defend it orally. (6) Repeatable. Prerequisite: THE 9905
3.00 credit hours
- RES 9690 Research Language Competency I
You will demonstrate acceptable competency in a research language related to your dissertation.
0.00 credit hours
- RES 9691 Research Language Competency II
You will demonstrate acceptable competency in a second research language related to your dissertation.
0.00 credit hours
Admission Requirements
- Online application
- Official transcripts from accredited institutions (all graduate level work)
- Completed MA, MDiv, or ThM with 3.5 GPA
- Major research paper, (20–24 pages)
- Proposed research topic (1 page plus bibliography)
- Transcript evidence of having completed four semesters of Greek and/or Hebrew (in any combination)
- Two academic references
- Interview with admissions committee
- *International requirements when appropriate
Accreditation and Accolades
Career Path Opportunities
- Seminary Professor
- International Theological Educator
- Bible College Professor
- Pastor
- High School Teacher
- What specializations are available in this program?
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As a Theological Studies student, you may choose to focus your study in the areas of Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, Apologetics, Theological Ethics.
- Is the program accredited by ATS?
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The Ph.D. program is accredited professionally by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), as well as regionally by SACSCOC and nationally by ABHE.
- Is the program really fully online?
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The entire PhD program uses online modality, so that you never need to come to the Columbia campus.
- Is the program synchronous or asynchronous?
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The three foundational seminars are largely asynchronous, but with a synchronous component. Instructors facilitate two-hour discussion group sessions of six to eight students that meet five to eight times throughout each semester.
In February 2022 the ATS Board of Commissioners approved a three-year experiment to offer a non-residential PhD degree as an exception to Standard 5.15, through a combination of online courses (synchronous and asynchronous) and one-on-one faculty mentoring sessions.
- What does a Modified-European model mean?
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The modified-European model combines the strengths of both the North American and European models. You enter the program with a preliminary idea of the topic for your dissertation, and the coursework in the three foundational seminars helps you refine your topic to be substantive, coherent and focused. After those seminars, you engage in your dissertation research, writing and defense, which comprises 80% of your studies.
- Is this program cost competitive with other ATS accredited PhD programs?
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Total tuition for the program is 25–50% lower than the cost of other seminary PhD programs and includes the cost of textbooks.
- Do I receive a Bible software package as a student?
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As a PhD student, you will receive a free copy of Accordance Bible Software that you may use as long as you are pursuing your doctoral studies. Upon graduation, you own the software.
- Do I have to know biblical languages for this program?
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If you are pursuing work related to Theological Studies, you must show transcript evidence of having completed four semesters of Greek and/or Hebrew in any combination.
- Do I have to complete any research languages for this program?
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In order to have as wide access as possible to scholarly literature related to your dissertation topic, Theological Studies students demonstrate proficiency in two theological research languages as part of their PhD studies. The process of collecting a working bibliography for your dissertation usually helps you identify the specific languages you will pursue.
- How long will the dissertation be?
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The wordcount for your dissertation is 90,000–110,000 words, including the introduction, the body, the footnotes, the conclusion and the bibliography, but not the front matter.
- Who will my dissertation mentor be? Do I have a say in the decision process?
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We will work with you to recruit a dissertation mentor whose areas of interest and expertise align as closely as possible with your topic. Since the majority of our mentors come from outside the seminary, the range of topics you may pursue is broad, and you have the opportunity to work closely with an expert in your field of research.