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PhD FAQ

What degree do I need to be considered for the PhD program?

Admission to the PhD program generally requires either (a) an ATS accredited Master of Divinity or (b) a similar accredited theological graduate degree of at least 52 hours in duration, such as the Master of Arts in Biblical Languages.  The minimum GPA for admission is 3.0.  Students with shorter degrees will need to demonstrate appropriate leveling and language study.

What are the language requirements?

All programs require one year of Greek and one year of Hebrew, plus an appropriate research language. Some, including the Biblical Studies (non-emphasis), Old Testament emphasis and New Testament emphasis require additional Greek, and/or Hebrew.  A separate language FAQ is available from the doctoral office at docstudies@mbts.edu.

Will the courses be set up on a modular system, similar to the DMin?

Yes, the instructional format will be similar to what has been successfully used with the DMin and DEdMin programs. Students will interact with professors during all aspects of the course, including the pre-work, on-campus and post-campus period of study.

What will each track look like? 

The doctoral programs at Midwestern share a common doctoral foundation, along with degree-specific and emphasis-specific courses, plus a dissertation.  The program is designed to allow a student to complete all coursework in four years.

What does it look like for a DMin to PhD? 

The doctoral common core—i.e., Doctoral Studies Colloquium (the old Orientation to Doctoral Studies) and Dissertation Seminar (the old Project Methodology)—may transfer into the new program. Additionally, certain qualifying electives or concentration courses may transfer, depending on the student’s projected area of emphasis. Transfer credits are limited to ATS standards, which stipulate that not more than half of the credits required for the other (i.e., donor) degree may be transferred into a Board-approved degree program that receives those credit hours (Educational Standard 7.3.1).

Do Midwestern doctoral graduates need to complete a new application file?

Yes, as this is another degree program, a new application will be required. The doctoral office will waive the application fee and secure transcripts from the student’s previous study at MBTS. However, if the applicant has completed transcripted study at another institution since graduation from MBTS, official copies of transcripts from that institution will be required.

What about the PhD students already in the program?

Students currently in the PhD program will have the option either to (a) complete their degree under the catalog corresponding to the year in which they commenced PhD studies at MBTS, as long as continuous full-time enrollment at MBTS has been maintained, or (b) to transition to the new program.

Will the OT & NT still be offered in the same manner or will it move to modular?

All seminars will be transitioned to modular delivery.

What is the tuition rate for the PhD program?

Please see our Tuition and Fees page.

How do these changes affect the current entrance exam and the research languages?

A common doctoral application will be completed for all students. All PhD programs require at least two classical and one research language. The minimum language requirements will vary by emphasis.

Will the on-line Greek or Hebrew class satisfy the language requirements?

Yes, the MBTS online Greek and Hebrew classes will fulfill all or part of the language requirements, as will other accredited language courses.

Who from the faculty will be able to now be supervisors for the new PhD concentrations?

Faculty oversight will be discipline specific.