Doctor of Philosophy (Theological Studies)

Program Structure

The PhD in Theological Studies is a full-time residential program housed on Asbury’s campus in Wilmore Kentucky. New students are admitted into the program in the fall semester and will proceed through the program with their cohort. The program is designed to nurture learning in a scholarly community through both peer interaction and faculty mentorship. The first year consists of PhD core seminars that the cohort will take together. The second year of coursework allows for further specialization through advanced electives aligned with the student’s research interests.

Following the successful completion of coursework, students will work with a faculty mentor through directed study research courses to prepare for five comprehensive exams leading up to the dissertation proposal. This facet of the program is designed to cultivate the necessary skills for undertaking advanced theological research and to hone the student’s own research interests into a viable dissertation topic. At the completion of the independent studies, the student will propose a comprehensive examination committee in their research area and are free to continue either with their faculty mentor or propose a new mentor based on better alignment with their research interests. Following the approval of the dissertation proposal, the PhD candidate begins the research, writing, composition, and defense of the dissertation under the supervision and guidance of his or her mentor.

Core Seminars (18 Credit Hours)

Seminar in Logic for Theology
Seminar in Theological Method and Theological Interpretation of Scripture
Seminar in Systematic Theology
Seminar in Analytic Theology
Seminar in Historical Theology
Seminar in Wesley Studies

Theological Studies Electives (21 Credit Hours)

Choose from among:

Ante-Nicene and Nicene Fathers
Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers
The Theology of Augustine
The Theology of Thomas Aquinas
The Theology of Martin Luther
Arminius and the Reformed Theological Tradition
Suffering, Tragedy, and Christian Faith
Science and Christian Faith
Faith, Reason, and Christian Belief
Theological Aesthetics
The Theologies of Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Context
The Christian Doctrine of Holiness
The Human Person: Multidisciplinary Perspectives

Up to two elective courses (6 credit hours) in Biblical Studies or Intercultural Studies may be used to meet this requirement. To be approved in consultation with relevant faculty and by the school dean.

Directed Study Research Courses (9 credit hours)

Comprehensive Exam Prep 1
Comprehensive Exam Prep 2
Dissertation Proposal Research

Full-time students in the Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies program receive a full tuition scholarship and are eligible for a 12-month annual stipend up to $15,000 for up to four years.

On campus housing ranges from $2,650 per semester for single housing to $840 a month for a 4 Bedroom 3 Bathroom townhome in Kalas Village.

Housing Options

Application Requirements

1. Accredited baccalaureate degree; accredited Master of Divinity degree or accredited Master of Arts degree with concentration in Theological Studies. Accreditation is required by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or holding membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada.
2. Official transcripts of all postsecondary schools attended, sent directly by each institution to the Asbury Seminary Admissions Office.
3. A nonrefundable $50 (US) application fee that includes processing of the application and a personal background check.
4. Four professor or other scholar references completed on the Admissions Office form at asburyseminary.edu.
5. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.50/4.00 for baccalaureate and graduate work is required for admission. The grade point average as calculated by the Admissions Office at Asbury Seminary shall be considered the official grade point average for admission.
6. Submission of a scholarly essay, representing an example of the applicant’s ability to do independent research and reflecting a research interest appropriate to the degree program, approximately 25 pages in length, completed within the last three years. (Please note: writing samples must be submitted in .pdf format, with the applicant’s 9-digit prospective student ID number in place of their name throughout the paper. The prospective ID number should also be the filename of the document. If papers are not submitted within these guidelines, they will be returned to the applicant for proper formatting.)
7. Personal history essay, including a purpose statement noting reason for Ph.D. pursuit, vocational understanding and research specialization. Specific guidelines provided below.
8. A resume or CV detailing education, language skills, and work/ministry experience.
9. Introductory-level competency in Biblical Hebrew and Koine Greek demonstrated via transcript; in exceptional cases either the Biblical Hebrew requirement or the Koine Greek requirement may be met after admission into the program.
10. For native speakers of English, an official score report from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required.
11. For applicants whose native language is other than English, an official score report from TOEFL or IETLS must be submitted.
12. The Admissions Committee may request the applicant to submit additional materials and/or schedule an interview with a seminary representative.

Personal History Essay

1. Share your life story and at what point you began your relationship with Jesus Christ. Talk about your growth since that time and what brings you to apply to Asbury Seminary’s Advanced Research Program.  Include your thoughts on how you would like to see your faith grow during your time in this program. (350 minimum to 500 words maximum)
2. Please describe your ministry and vocational experience, including positions held and dates of service.  (350 minimum to 500 words maximum)
3. Statement of Purpose – Describe briefly your reasons for pursuing study in the particular program area you have chosen and what you hope to gain through the program.  Give specific goals, and personal or professional needs. (350 to 500 words maximum)
4. Research Interests: State your preferred area of study in the program you have chosen and give a short summary (15-20 words) of your research interest. Provide a brief reflection indicating possible further research interests. This reflection should start with a summary of your interests in less than 20 words. (350 minimum to 500 words maximum)
5. List the language(s) (including English) used in your research and/or ministry and indicate your relative proficiency.
6. (Optional) If you feel your cumulative grade point average or academic test scores do not adequately reflect your abilities to flourish at Asbury Seminary, please explain.