Hello, you are using an old browser that's unsafe and no longer supported. Please consider updating your browser to a newer version, or downloading a modern browser.

Skip to Main Content Request Info

The Doctor of Philosophy program provides advanced biblical scholarship for the:

Faithful Expert

Develop expertise through original research in a specialized area of biblical or theological study.

Equipped Defender

Sharpen your exegetical and theological skills to defend ideas and refute error.

Responsible Scholar

Present ideas effectively through writing, researching, and teaching.

Classes and Curriculum

View Academic Catalog

The Doctor of Philosophy program is designed for individuals preparing for vocations requiring ordination, with special emphasis given to training the next generation of biblical and theological studies professors at seminaries and colleges around the world.

Program Details

PrerequisitesThe Doctor of Philosophy program is based on the (post-Master of Divinity) Master of Theology degree, in which approximately twenty-two semester credit hours of course work plus a research portfolio or research thesis are required.
Qualifying ExamsThe qualification phase comprises four qualifying exams: Major Discipline Exam German Exam Latin Exam Akkadian Exam These qualifying exams must be taken in Th.M. courses by both students in the Th.M. program and by students entering the Ph.D. program with an already completed Th.M. degree from either TMS or from another school. Students are allowed two years to complete all Ph.D. qualifying exams. The Th.M. program incorporates the qualifying exams into the Th.M. curriculum. As a result, students are able to complete their Ph.D. qualifying exams while in the Th.M. program.
Residential FormatThe Doctor of Philosophy is offered as a residential program. During residency on the Los Angeles campus, students will meet regularly with their academic advisors, write, and research their dissertations for six consecutive semesters.
Modular ResidencyThe Doctor of Philosophy offers a modular residency option. This option allows the student to retain his residency in his place of service and may have up to five years to complete his dissertation
Academic AdvisementThe Ph.D. Program Director gives oversight to the program, working closely with each doctoral student’s mentor and the Th.M./Ph.D. Studies Committee. At the time of admission into residency, the Ph.D. Studies Committee will assign an advisor to oversee each student’s research and writing. The advisor will assess their previous education, assigning additional course work as deemed necessary. The Director of Ph.D. Studies will, in consultation with the academic advisor, formally select the faculty members who will serve on the student’s dissertation committee. The committee will generally consist of the student’s dissertation advisor (serving as chair), a second faculty member, normally from the area of specialization, and a third faculty member from another institution.
Dissertation ProspectusEach student begins his first semester of residence by enrolling in the Dissertation Prospectus course. This course allows the student, under the advisor’s supervision, to select and refine the dissertation topic, establish its need, outline the procedure for its undertaking, build an extensive bibliography, and defend its choice.
CourseworkThe program is based on the study of the original language texts of Scripture and requires an awareness of the entire sweep of historical theology and biblical theology systematically expressed. The program requires a minimum of twenty-four credit hours of study while in residence, the first of which is the Dissertation Prospectus course (four credit hours). The remaining study load is designed to assist in the research/writing and defense of the dissertation, the full-time load of which is four credit hours per semester. Coursework is elevated past the M.Div. level, and doctoral students are not consigned to a traditional classroom environment. Rather, the delivery mode follows the one-on-one mentoring model, with coursework comprised of directed studies and research seminars.

What it Takes to Complete

2-4
years to complete
24
units

Meet the Faculty

View All Faculty
James Mook
Director of Ph.D. Studies
Austin T. Duncan
Pastoral Ministries Department Chair & Director of D.Min. Studies
Michael Grisanti
Old Testament Department Chair
Brad Klassen
Bible Exposition Department Chair
Mark Zhakevich
New Testament Department Chair
Kevin Zuber
Theology Department Chair

Compare the Doctor of Philosophy to our other programs

Doctor of Philosophy

Prerequisites

  1. Master of Theology
  2. A consistent record of commendable Christian ministry experience

Career Outcomes

  1.  Qualification for professorship, writing, and research

Learning Outcomes

  1. As a critical thinker, collect and analyze primary and secondary sources of information, critique interpretations of the evidence, synthesize the evidence for future scholarly contributions to the field of study, and draw and integrate implications for professional practice.
  2. As a theological exegete, apply exegetical skills to the biblical text, develop a theological critique of views related to the text, and connect the issue with its historical precedents.
  3. As a scholarly communicator, engage in quality written papers and oral presentations in colloquia for the purpose of disseminating personal scholarship to peer audiences as well as future readers and hearers of their work

Doctor of Ministry

Prerequisites

  1. Master of Divinity (or M.Div-equivalent M.A. of at least 72 credits)
  2. 3+ years of commendable pastoral ministry experience

Career Outcomes

  1. Enhanced skills in sermon preparation and public exposition of Scripture

Learning Outcomes

  1. As an experienced biblical expositor, to add further understanding, quality, and depth to the exegetical skill needed in sermon preparation.
  2. As an experienced biblical expositor, to add further understanding, quality, and depth to the sermon content synthesis.
  3. As an experienced biblical expositor, to add further understanding, quality, and depth to the rhetorical eloquence.
  4. As an experienced biblical expositor, to demonstrate enhanced expository preaching skills in a culminating program project.

Doctor of Philosophy

Prerequisites

  1. Master of Theology
  2. A consistent record of commendable Christian ministry experience

Career Outcomes

  1.  Qualification for professorship, writing, and research

Learning Outcomes

  1. As a critical thinker, collect and analyze primary and secondary sources of information, critique interpretations of the evidence, synthesize the evidence for future scholarly contributions to the field of study, and draw and integrate implications for professional practice.
  2. As a theological exegete, apply exegetical skills to the biblical text, develop a theological critique of views related to the text, and connect the issue with its historical precedents.
  3. As a scholarly communicator, engage in quality written papers and oral presentations in colloquia for the purpose of disseminating personal scholarship to peer audiences as well as future readers and hearers of their work

Master of Divinity

Prerequisites

  1. Bachelor’s Degree
  2. A consistent record of commendable Christian ministry experience.

Career Outcomes

Qualification for pastoral, missionary, and Christian education ministries, as well as further graduate study.

Learning Outcomes

  1. As a future elder, pastor, missionary, or educator, comprehend the significant areas of biblical interpretation, biblical languages, Christian theology and pastoral ministry.
  2. As a future elder/pastor, construct a personal, biblical philosophy of ministry with application to the desired vocational goals.
  3. As a future preacher/teacher of the Scripture, synthesize the input of biblical languages, Bible backgrounds and theological constructs to preach and teach the Bible to varied age levels and abilities within any ministry context.
  4. As a future spiritual leader, exhibit the disciplines of holiness, prayer, leadership, and compassion required for ministry.

Doctor of Philosophy

Prerequisites

  1. Master of Theology
  2. A consistent record of commendable Christian ministry experience

Career Outcomes

  1.  Qualification for professorship, writing, and research

Learning Outcomes

  1. As a critical thinker, collect and analyze primary and secondary sources of information, critique interpretations of the evidence, synthesize the evidence for future scholarly contributions to the field of study, and draw and integrate implications for professional practice.
  2. As a theological exegete, apply exegetical skills to the biblical text, develop a theological critique of views related to the text, and connect the issue with its historical precedents.
  3. As a scholarly communicator, engage in quality written papers and oral presentations in colloquia for the purpose of disseminating personal scholarship to peer audiences as well as future readers and hearers of their work

Master of Theology

Prerequisites

  1. Master of Divinity (or M.Div-equivalent M.A. of at least 72 credits)
  2. A consistent record of commendable Christian ministry experience

Career Outcomes

Qualification to fulfill a teaching position and pursue doctoral study, such as the PhD

Learning Outcomes

  1. As an advancing scholar, specialize in an area of biblical or theological studies, gaining facility in its literature and scholarship.
  2. As an advancing exegete, employ more refined skills in Hebrew and Greek translation, exegesis, and interpretation.
  3. As an advancing teacher, implement the skills of communication and effective teaching of course content.
  4. As an advancing researcher, demonstrate thoughtfulness, in-depth interaction, thorough research, and excellence in scholarly writing

Doctor of Philosophy

Prerequisites

  1. Master of Theology
  2. A consistent record of commendable Christian ministry experience

Career Outcomes

  1.  Qualification for professorship, writing, and research

Learning Outcomes

  1. As a critical thinker, collect and analyze primary and secondary sources of information, critique interpretations of the evidence, synthesize the evidence for future scholarly contributions to the field of study, and draw and integrate implications for professional practice.
  2. As a theological exegete, apply exegetical skills to the biblical text, develop a theological critique of views related to the text, and connect the issue with its historical precedents.
  3. As a scholarly communicator, engage in quality written papers and oral presentations in colloquia for the purpose of disseminating personal scholarship to peer audiences as well as future readers and hearers of their work

Bachelor of Theology

Prerequisites

  1. A minimum of 30 semester units of undergraduate general education credits, with at least 3 of those credits in math
  2. A consistent record of commendable Christian ministry experience.
  3. Over 25 years old

Career Outcomes

Qualification for pastoral, missionary, and Christian education ministries, as well as further graduate study

Learning Outcomes

  1. As a future elder, pastor, missionary, or educator, comprehend the significant areas of biblical interpretation, biblical languages, Christian theology and pastoral ministry.
  2. As a future elder/pastor, construct a personal, biblical philosophy of ministry with application to the desired vocational goals.
  3. As a future preacher/teacher of the Scripture, synthesize the input of biblical languages, Bible backgrounds and theological constructs to preach and teach the Bible to varied age levels and abilities within any ministry context.
  4. As a future spiritual leader, exhibit the disciplines of holiness, prayer, leadership, and compassion required for ministry.

Doctor of Philosophy

Prerequisites

  1. Master of Theology
  2. A consistent record of commendable Christian ministry experience

Career Outcomes

  1.  Qualification for professorship, writing, and research

Learning Outcomes

  1. As a critical thinker, collect and analyze primary and secondary sources of information, critique interpretations of the evidence, synthesize the evidence for future scholarly contributions to the field of study, and draw and integrate implications for professional practice.
  2. As a theological exegete, apply exegetical skills to the biblical text, develop a theological critique of views related to the text, and connect the issue with its historical precedents.
  3. As a scholarly communicator, engage in quality written papers and oral presentations in colloquia for the purpose of disseminating personal scholarship to peer audiences as well as future readers and hearers of their work

Diploma of Theology

Prerequisites

  1. o previous degrees required
  2. A consistent record of commendable Christian ministry experience
  3. Over 25 years old

Career Outcomes

Qualification for pastoral, missionary, and Christian education ministries, as well as further graduate study.

Learning Outcomes

  1. As a future elder, pastor, missionary, or educator, comprehend the significant areas of biblical interpretation, biblical languages, Christian theology and pastoral ministry.
  2. As a future elder/pastor, construct a personal, biblical philosophy of ministry with application to the desired vocational goals.
  3. As a future preacher/teacher of the Scripture, synthesize the input of biblical languages, Bible backgrounds and theological constructs to preach and teach the Bible to varied age levels and abilities within any ministry context.
  4. As a future spiritual leader, exhibit the disciplines of holiness, prayer, leadership, and compassion required for ministry.

Why TMS?

You wouldn’t trust a doctor who didn’t train at a hospital, who had never cared for an actual patient. In the same way, you shouldn’t entrust the care of your soul, or your family’s, to a pastor with no local church experience. You want someone who was trained in the church and trained by pastors.

Learn More

Request More Information

Doctor of Philosophy Request Info Form

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get Started Today

Get Started

Apply to TMS

Request Information

Plan Your Visit