Christian Distance Learning

Ph.D. Overview

Commonly associated with the meaningful ability to engage in research and writing, the Ph.D. is considered the terminal degree for those who teach at the college, graduate school, or seminary level, as well as missionary educators, international academic leaders, and pastors desiring a strong teaching ministry. Complete in academic excellence, the Ph.D. program at BBS emphasizes a heart for local church ministry. The balance between scholarship and leadership produces highly effective leaders.

Program objectives:

• To develop a high level of skill in studying and researching the Scriptures.
• To be able to utilize the biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew as well as theological research tools in the pursuit of biblical knowledge.
• To develop a genuine heart for God and the students or church people that the graduate would teach.

Ph.D. Unique Program Features

The Ph.D. in Biblical Studies is uniquely designed for ministry professionals who are unable to relinquish or suspend their full-time ministries or change locations in order to pursue a doctorate. The BBS Ph.D. may be earned in-service. This is accomplished through a twelve-week external residency and a one-week internal residency for each course.

While the BBS Ph.D. degree program is designed to provide in-service learning, it may also be earned in much less time by living in the area and carrying a larger load of courses. This allows men to also pursue the Ph.D. right after a seminary master's degree program.

A student may enroll in the Ph.D. in Biblical Studies after completing either an M.Div. degree or a Th.M. degree. Those possessing a Th.M. degree (or its 120 cr. hr. equivalent) will enroll in 37 additional credit hours to earn the Ph.D. Those with an M.Div. degree will take 60 credit hours for the Ph.D.

The Ph.D. is web enhanced. With current technology, it is possible to engage in scholarly research, peer group interaction, independent study, mentoring by an instructor, and writing via the Internet. The BBS program takes advantage of leading-edge technology and teaching techniques to assure in-depth learning.

Key Training Components

• A focus on the original Greek and Hebrew languages. This is designed to facilitate research in the biblical text. BBS prioritizes the biblical languages as foundational for the Ph.D. Degree in Biblical Studies.
• Faculty mentoring and peer group interaction via the Internet. The Internet component allows students to access extensive information resources as well as experience continual mentoring contact throughout the 14-week course period. A high degree of faculty mentoring is available through Internet interaction.
• A strong, required component of communicating and presenting before peers, faculty, and in educational teaching environments. The "Interdisciplinary Seminar" and "Communications Practicum" are two educational venues to provide this opportunity.
• Interdisciplinary exposure in a multi-ministry context. This includes three Ministry Philosophy Core courses taken jointly with Doctor of Ministry students. This allows the Ph.D. student to interact with some of the dynamic church leadership, outreach, and growth methods and concepts currently being used of God around the world.