Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies in Montgomery, AL
Effective Christian ministry and research require a well-rounded and rigorous academic foundation rooted in the Bible and related texts. Part of Faulkner University’s Kearley Graduate School of Theology (KGST), the Doctor of Philosophy in biblical studies imparts students with robust biblical knowledge and the ability to analyze these texts, preparing them for an array of careers in ministry, non-profit organizations, and academic and research institutions.
Program Objectives
Faulkner University’s fully online Doctor of Philosophy in biblical studies program prepares moral and ethically driven scholars for the advanced academic study of the Bible. Graduates will be able to enter or continue careers in biblical teaching, academics, and diverse ministry opportunities. Since this program is conducted entirely online, students can continue with their current work and family obligations while studying on their own time.
This program is specifically designed to bestow knowledge and analytical capabilities in the key areas of biblical studies, giving graduates the competency needed for teaching or research positions in public, private, government, or postdoctoral roles. Graduates will walk away proficient in religious and biblical history, theology, archaeology, biblical and related languages, and biblical interpretation. Students also gain essential skills that can be utilized outside the biblical studies field, including analysis, reading, research, and writing.
Program Design
Students enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in biblical studies must earn 54 semester hours of credit at the doctoral level. They are required to fulfill those credit hours with:
- Two required courses: Biblical Scholarship and Christian Ministry andAdvanced Studies in Biblical Hermeneutics
- An additional six core courses that provide students with a wide breadth of academic biblical studies experience and skill
- Six course electives from a choice of advanced seminars in primary biblical text (Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek)
- Complete four dissertation modules after completing coursework
- Write a dissertation and later defend it during a conference call
Required Non-Credit Exams
All students enrolled in this online Doctor of Philosophy program must pass language proficiency tests in three biblical languages – Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek – before registering for textual seminars.
Students must also pass an exam in a secondary research language, such as German, French, Spanish, or Latin, before completing broader program assessments. Enrolled students are required to pass all comprehensive exams before taking part in dissertation modules.
The Doctor of Philosophy in biblical studies at Faulkner University is typically completed in four to five years and occurs entirely online. Take the next step by reviewing the course requirements and applying for this online doctorate.
Admission Requirements
Students interested in applying to the Doctor of Philosophy in biblical studies program should ensure they meet all prerequisites. Admissions guidelines include:
- Earning a master’s degree in biblical studies from a regionally accredited institution and maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. If the applicant does not meet this requirement, they may ask about conditional admission.
- Submitting official transcripts from all previously attended higher education accredited institutions, using the official transcript request form. The Registrar’s Office will not accept copies or printouts of transcripts delivered by hand.
- Offering three letters of recommendation, with at least one from a professor of the applicant’s master’s program and one from a work manager familiar with the applicant’s degree-related work. These letters should contain comments describing the applicant’s academic work, ability to complete graduate study, and any relevant professional experience.
- Presenting a goals statement of approximately 1,500 words, specifying degree-related objectives and how the online Doctor of Philosophy will serve these goals. A score of 40 points or higher qualifies applicants to interview with the program faculty. Items to include in this statement are:
- Prior experience and preparation for the degree
- Why the student is interested in the program
- Spiritual and academic aspirations
- Impact of the degree on applicant’s financiers as well as on professional and personal obligations
- Sending a copy of a thesis or graduate-level academic research paper previously accepted in a graduate-level biblical studies program.
- Participating in an interview with the dean, KGST director, and the graduate committee.
- Receiving approval for admission from the KGST director.
- Submitting a TOEFL score of at least 500 if English is not the student’s first language.
After you verify you meet all admissions requirements, you can fill out the graduate application and begin the process.
To apply for this Doctor of Philosophy program, you must first fill out and submit the graduate application. You may also inquire about program costs at this time to get a better idea about tuition and fees.
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- Submit a completed online application.
- Complete and print the Official Transcript Request form and submit it to all previously attended schools with the appropriate fee.
- Send all additional items via email to your enrollment counselor.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the PhD in Biblical Studies program, an applicant must complete the following tasks:
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- Completed graduate application
- Earn a biblical-studies master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Hold at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point in a master’s degree program. If the student does not meet this requirement, the student may request conditional admission.
- Arrange delivery of official transcripts, from all the colleges and universities attended, directly from the school’s Registrar’s Office to Faulkner’s Office of Graduate Enrollment. Hand delivered copies, photocopies, and printouts of grade reports are not acceptable.
- Submit three letters of recommendation with specific comments regarding the applicant’s academic work, ability to successfully complete graduate study, and any relevant professional experience. Letters of recommendation should, if possible, include a letter from a faculty member who taught master’s classes for the applicant and a letter from a work supervisor who is familiar with the applicant’s degree-related work.
- A goals statement of approximately 1500 words specifying the applicant’s degree-related goals and stating ways in which the PhD from the Kearley Graduate School of Theology will contribute toward achieving those goals. Include in this goals statement: (1) background preparation for the degree; (2) basis for the choice of the KGST; (3) spiritual and academic goals; (4) impact of the degree sought on financiers and personal, employment, and family time. Obtaining a score of 40 or above qualifies the applicant for an interview with the PhD faculty.
- Submit a copy of a graduate research paper or thesis previously accepted in a graduate-level biblical studies program
- Participate in an interview with the dean, KGST director, and the graduate committee.
- Receive approval for admission from the KGST director.
A student whose first language is not English must also submit a TOEFL score of at least 500.
Tuition
Tuition and Fees
2025 - 2026 Financial Information
| Tuition | $585 per semester hour |
| General Fee | $350 per semester ($250 if 11 hours or less) |
| Online Course Fee | $75 per semester hour |
| Applicable Course Fees | see full tuition and fee schedule |
Faulkner University Advantages
Completing your Doctor of Philosophy online can be rewarding. Consider some of the following benefits of pursuing this degree at Faulkner University:
- Faith-centered approach: We instill Christian values in our students, encouraging them to respect and grow their understanding of the Bible.
- Adaptable scheduling: Our online format gives students more flexibility than traditional on-campus learning.
- Accelerated completion: With our online master's degrees, students can graduate in less time and still receive the same quality instruction and support as on-campus options.
Apply to the Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies Program
Launch your career by enrolling in the Doctor of Philosophy in biblical studies at Faulkner University. Located in Montgomery, Alabama, we are a private, liberal arts college that strives to deliver comprehensive on-campus and online instruction through a faith-based lens. Contact us to request information about the Doctor of Philosophy in biblical studies program or apply today.