Ph.D. in Theological Studies

Cultivating Chinese Theological Scholars and Educators with Academic Depth and a Global Perspective
Equip students for advanced biblical and theological research, developing rigorous research skills and sound academic judgment. Advance the contextualization of Chinese theology while engaging in global theological dialogue.
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Purpose

Logos Evangelical Seminary is committed to preparing rigorous Chinese Christian scholars and teachers of Scripture who possess strong capacities for critical academic evaluation and advanced research in biblical and theological studies. The program seeks to contribute to the contextual development of Chinese biblical and theological scholarship and to bring emerging theological perspectives from the Chinese context into the broader global theological conversation.

Program Learning Outcomes

The doctoral program offers advanced specialization in Biblical Studies, with concentrations in either Old Testament or New Testament, as well as Systematic Theology. The program is designed to prepare and equip students for teaching ministry in theological institutions, advanced research, and scholarly writing. Upon completion of the program, graduates will demonstrate the following competencies:

1

Demonstrate broad familiarity with the literature of biblical and theological studies and related fields.

2

Demonstrate the ability to employ appropriate research tools and methodologies in biblical and theological scholarship.

3

Demonstrate the ability to engage critically and productively in biblical and theological research in both English and Chinese.

4

Demonstrate substantial familiarity with Western scholarship in the student’s chosen field of specialization.

5

Demonstrate adequate knowledge of Chinese-language scholarship within the student’s chosen field of specialization.

6

Demonstrate the ability to design and conduct advanced research within the chosen field of specialization and communicate the findings effectively in a dissertation, normally written in Chinese.

7

Demonstrate the ability to teach effectively in both Chinese and global educational contexts.

Admission Requirements

  1. Applicants must be born-again Christians who have been called to theological education or advanced theological study and research.
  2. Applicants must hold an accredited master’s degree in Biblical Studies, or an equivalent degree, from an institution recognized by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. Applicants holding a Th.M. degree are preferred.
  3. Applicants must provide evidence of English-language proficiency. A GRE score obtained within the previous five years or a TOEFL score obtained within the previous two years is required. Minimum scores are: GRE Verbal Reasoning 156 (Institution DI Code: 7172), or TOEFL 575 / TOEFL iBT 90 (Institution Code: 8548).
  4. Three letters of recommendation are required. Applicants should demonstrate strong Christian character and spiritual maturity. Recommendations should include one from a church pastor and two from seminary professors.
  5. Applicants must submit a research paper written within the previous three years that demonstrates readiness for advanced theological research. The paper should be approximately 7,000–10,000 Chinese characters or 4,500–6,500 English words.
  6. Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae and a two-page statement describing their future ministry goals.
  7. Applicants must complete and submit a proposed study plan.

Biblical Language Requirements

  1. Prior to admission, all applicants must have completed Hebrew I and II and Greek I and II, totaling 12 credits. Applicants whose proposed dissertation research will focus on the Old Testament must also complete Hebrew Exegesis II (6 credits). Applicants whose proposed dissertation research will focus on the New Testament must complete Greek Exegesis I and II. Applicants specializing in Systematic Theology may complete either Hebrew Exegesis I and II or Greek Exegesis I and II (6 credits). These prerequisite credits do not count toward the degree requirements.
  2. Applicants who have not completed the required biblical-language prerequisites may, following evaluation by the Admissions Committee, be permitted to complete the deficiencies after enrollment at the Seminary. Remedial credits do not count toward degree requirements.
  3. Students specializing in Old Testament or New Testament must pass a biblical-language proficiency examination prior to the beginning of the program; this requirement does not apply to Systematic Theology students. Old Testament applicants will be examined in Hebrew, while New Testament applicants will be examined in Greek.
  4. Students who do not pass the language proficiency examination may retake it once before the end of the first semester. The examination must be passed before the student may register for the next stage of the program.
Curriculum

Curriculum and Program Structure

  1. The program emphasizes advanced academic research, and all coursework is structured around scholarly research. A total of 42 credits is required, consisting of 34 credits of coursework and 8 dissertation credits, excluding biblical-language prerequisites. Students who have not previously completed the required 18 credits of biblical-language prerequisite study must complete those deficiencies during the first year.
  2. The program consists of three stages. In Stage One, students complete 34 credits of coursework, including foundational courses (8 credits), major-field courses (24 credits), Higher Education Pedagogy (2 credits), and two semesters of teaching practicum (0 credits).
  3. Students specializing in Old Testament or New Testament must complete the biblical-language requirements during the first year. All students must satisfy a research-language examination requirement during the second year before advancing to Stage Two.
  4. In Stage Two, students must successfully complete four comprehensive examinations (0 credits).
  5. In Stage Three, students complete the doctoral dissertation (8 credits).
Program Duration

Location and Program Duration

  1. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue the program on a full-time basis. Regular coursework is conducted on the Seminary campus, while dissertation research and writing may be completed off campus.
  2. The program requires a minimum of five years and must normally be completed within ten years, including the dissertation. When necessary, students may apply for a one-year extension.

Graduation Requirements

1

Complete the required 42 credits, including the dissertation, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.33 (B+ or 83.5–86.4%).

2

Upon completion of the required coursework, students may apply to take the qualifying examinations.

3

Students may proceed to dissertation research and writing only after successfully passing the qualifying examinations.

4

Complete the doctoral dissertation and successfully pass the dissertation defense.

5

Obtain all required approvals and signatures from the dissertation committee.

6

Complete all required institutional clearance procedures.