Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies 

Residence coursework includes the completion of at least:
14 hours of courses in cohort;
28-32 hours in advanced electives;
4-6 hours in education and research methods;
and 6 hours in dissertation proposal and comprehensive exam prep.

A minimum of 6 hours of dissertation research follows the residence coursework.

If your educational background has been limited to one theological tradition, you may be advised or required to add a minimum of one term of residence work at another graduate school. Such residence work may also be required by the scope of your dissertation research.

Some may complete the required residence course work within two years, but many will take longer to do so. This depends on your level of academic preparation, whether you are awarded advanced standing hours, and the time you’re able to devote to the program.

A normal student course load is 9-12 hours per semester. Full-time status is defined as at least 9 hours per semester (part-time students can be accommodated, but preference is given to full-time applicants, and intent to be part-time or full-time must be declared at the time of application).

For additional information on the design of the program and its specific requirements, please contact an Admissions Counselor or read the Academic Catalog. 

Proficiency in the biblical languages and into German and French (or other language, if approved) must be demonstrated prior to or during your first year of study. (This often requires attendance at courses/exam sessions prior to your actual matriculation date.)

The Church History Department at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School is a vibrant community of faculty members, master’s students, and doctoral students committed to rigorous historical scholarship in service to Christ and his Church.

The teaching faculty includes three experienced historians, Drs. John Woodbridge, and Scott Manetsch, as well as a group of talented part-time teaching faculty who offer specialized courses in the history of the theology, institutions, and practice of the Christian church from the period of the early church to the present day. Our department is an exciting place to pursue graduate studies in church history!

Church History / Historical Theology Concentration (60 hours total)

The NT (THS) program exists to provide students with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the New Testament in its original contexts. Students will gain a general competency in the interpretation of various corpuses within the New Testament canon while acquiring the ability to address specific issues in New Testament studies. Emphasis is given to understanding the New Testament in its historical and cultural contexts, acquiring a particular competency in reading Hellenistic Greek texts, exploring theological developments within the New Testament, and developing the ability to evaluate critically the contributions of modern interpreters. Through these tools, students are expected to make original and significant contributions to the area of New Testament scholarship. Such contributions should in turn make an impact on the wider theological and ecclesiological contexts.

New Testament Concentration (60 hours total)

The Old Testament Department acquaints students with the content and teaching of the Old Testament Scriptures and introduces them to the tools they need for a lifetime of effective independent study of these Scriptures. Attention is given to problems of Old Testament history and criticism. The value of the Old Testament for preaching and for understanding the New Testament is stressed. Students are also introduced to the historical and cultural backgrounds of biblical literature, provided an understanding of ancient Near Eastern cultures, have light shed on the interpretation of the Bible in its historical setting, and shown support for the biblical record of the history of the Jewish nation in its interrelationship with the peoples of the ancient world.

The focus in OT Hebrew, Literature, and Exegesis (60 hours) specifically focuses on matters of translation, theology, canon, and linguistics.

Old Testament—OT Hebrew, Literature, and Exegesis Concentration (60 hours total)

This concentration focuses on the ancient Near Eastern context, history, and archaeology of the Old Testament, with a focus on issues of historicity, ongoing archaeological fieldwork and the relationship of past fieldwork to the history of the Old Testament, and the cognate languages and cultural contexts of the Old Testament. Special attention is paid to issues relating to the historical context of the OT (rather than theology, exegesis, or textual criticism, although students will be competent in these as well).

Old Testament—Ancient Near Eastern History, Archaeology, and Languages Concentration (60 hours total)

This concentration (60 hours total) focuses on the content and methods of systematic theology. Special attention is paid to the use of Scripture in theology, dialogue with historic and global theological traditions, and engaging broadly within your specific research area from a robustly critical-evangelical perspective.

Systematic Theology Concentration (60 hours total)