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Doctor of Philosophy

Biblical Studies

Advance Your Biblical Expertise Through Rigorous Study and Personalized Mentorship

At Columbia International University, the PhD Biblical Studies program is designed to help you explore the profound truths and functional authority of Scripture through rigorous academic study. You’ll gain advanced research, writing, and teaching skills to contribute significantly to biblical scholarship and theology, with a focus on practical application and spiritual growth.

Our program prepares you to present your work in a professional, structured, and coherent manner, both in written publications and oral presentations. Through a personalized, supervisory relationship with an experienced faculty mentor, you’ll navigate the challenges of academic research while cultivating Christian character and spiritual maturity.

Offered entirely online, this flexible program allows you to pursue your doctoral degree without leaving your career or ministry. Whether you aspire to teach, write, lead, or serve, CIU equips you to make a lasting impact in the field of Biblical Studies.

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.

Location

Online

Next Start

August 25

Credit Hours

45

Cost Per Credit Hour

$580

College

Seminary & School of Counseling

Accreditation

ABHE, ATS, SACSCOC

Quick Links

Career Opportunities

  • Professor of Biblical Studies
  • Biblical Researcher
  • Pastor or Ministry Leader
  • Theological Author or Editor
  • Missionary or Bible Translator
  • Christian Speaker or Conference Leader
  • Curriculum Developer for Ministries
  • Consultant for Faith-Based Projects

Christ-Centered Scholarship

Experience an academically rigorous yet spiritually enriching program rooted in biblical truth.

Expert Guidance

An experienced faculty mentor who is a renowned scholar in his or her respective fields will provide personalized attention and expert advice as you navigate your research journey and develop your scholarly voice.

Flexible Delivery

Designed to equip you as a well-rounded scholar and educator, our program offers a unique blend of research-focused curriculum in a flexible online modality.

Meet the Faculty

Course Preview

Here is a glimpse at a few of the courses you will be taking in this program.

For a full list of courses related to this program, visit the Academic Catalog:

BIB 9200 - Issues and Methods in Biblical Studies

You will survey significant contemporary issues in Old Testament or New Testament studies, explore recent advances in the study of Hebrew or Greek, and review key methods used in biblical interpretation. You will then identify an issue and a method related to the area of your proposed dissertation topic and will explore each in depth.

BIB 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.

BIB 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. 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.

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