Program Highlight: Ph.D. programs in Biblical Studies and Theological Studies

We are so excited to begin our Ph.D. programs in Biblical Studies and Theological Studies. Each concentration has several possible specializations.

PhD Concentrations

Biblical Studies	Theological Studies
New Testament	Systematic Theology
Greek	Historical Theology
Old Testament	Apologetics
Hebrew	Ethics
Biblical Theology
Hermeneutics

We have tried to create a program that combines the strengths of the American model and the strengths of the European model, while minimizing the weaknesses of each. Since it is designed to be similar to the European model, completing it in three years is a real possibility. Most students in the American model have great difficulty in completing the PhD in 3 years.

This program is significantly less expensive than most PhD programs, with tuition being $22,950 for a 3 year full-time student or 5 year part-time student. Many comparable degrees can cost over $50,000. For example, see the chart below for tuition comparisons. A few caveats. First, realize that that the costs listed below assume you finish the program on time at each school. Since all the schools in the United States below follow the American style for Ph.D. programs, finishing in three years is uncommon. Some schools have very expensive continuation fees. Second, since CBS’s program is online, there is no cost of moving or finding a new job. Some of the schools listed below have a much higher cost of living than where you might currently reside.

SEMINARY	Total Tuition Cost
Columbia Biblical Seminary	$22950
Dallas Theological Seminary	$22925 (if have Th.M.) $38135 (if don’t have Th.M.)
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary	SBC Students: $22200 Non-SBC Students: $28200
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary	SBC Students: $23640 Non-SBC Students: $47400 Military discount: $23640
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary	SBC Students: $31240 Non-SBC Students: $55522
Asbury Theological Seminary	$33915
Liberty	$33915
Regent	$39000
Westminster Theological Seminary	$39660-$49575
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School	$45630
University of Aberdeen	$61341
The University of Edinburgh	$73140

Furthermore, the degree is fully online. We refer to our degree as a modified European model. The first two courses are 16 week online courses. Then the student takes a course on designing their dissertation. After that, they work with a qualified PhD mentor to research, write, and defend their dissertation.

The response has been more than we expected. Currently we expect about 20 students to be enrolled this fall. We will have about 4 Old Testament students, 7 New Testament students, and 9 Theological Studies students. While many are located somewhere in the United States, we have students in Germany, Costa Rica, and Thailand. We already have over 40 more students that we will be talking with for the fall of 2020.

If you'd like more information on the PhD in Biblical Studies or Theological Studies, you can simply click on these links. Otherwise, please contact our admissions office at yessem@ciu.edu.