Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
36
Credit Hours
4-5
Years to Complete
- Residential
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is designed to equip you for teaching and research in colleges, theological seminaries, and universities, and for advanced church leadership.
Overview
The depth of study and the breadth of research to reach the heights of your calling.
Learning in the Reformed tradition: Calvin Seminary is committed to the confessional and theological standards of the Christian Reformed Church, but students from all Christian traditions are welcome to apply. The academic freedom to probe the foundations of Reformed theology and to explore the validity of other approaches is a fundamental assumption of the PhD program.
Concentrations: PhD students can focus their studies in one of the following areas
- History of Christianity
- Moral Theology (Ethics)
- New Testament
- Philosophical Theology
- Systematic Theology
Distinctives:
The PhD program at Calvin Seminary prepares graduates by means of the following distinct program features:
International Learning Community
Calvin Seminary offers an international community of Christian scholars eager to learn from one another.
Reformed
Calvin Seminary gives a thorough grounding in confessional Reformed thought.
Diverse Scholarly Literature
The program helps develop an awareness and appreciation of scholarly literature representing diverse points of view in the worldwide church today and of ways in which cultural and religious contexts challenge and enrich theological education.
Know Your Christian History
Students will learn about key figures and issues in the history of Christian thought.
Solid Methodology
The Calvin Seminary PhD program teaches and practices a solid methodology of theological research.
A Broad Range of Biblical and Theological Topics
Calvin Seminary enables teaching competency across a variety of biblical and theological topics through a broad range of coursework and comprehensive examinations.
Insightful Pedagogy
The PhD program offers instruction in pedagogy that provides insights, skills, and practice in teaching.
A Supportive Community
At Calvin Seminary you will find a supportive community from the first course to the last chapter of the dissertation.
Significant Financial Support
Calvin Seminary PhD students will find substantial financial support and options for reasonable living expenses.
Library and Study Space Resources
Calvin Seminary offers high-quality library resources and study space.
Learning Resources
Resources for Supporting Your PhD Studies
Calvin Seminary offers access to a variety of resources to supplement your PhD studies.
Centers and Institutes
The centers and institutes of Calvin Seminary and Calvin University are dedicated hubs of scholarship, promoting focused study and research in their fields. As a PhD student, you will have the opportunity to make connections with the centers and institutes relevant to your studies, including but not limited to:
- Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
- Center for Excellence in Preaching
- H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies
- Institute for Global Church Planting and Renewal
- Junius Institute for Digital Reformation Research
- Nagel Institute for the Study of World Christianity (Calvin University)
- The Bavinck Institute
- The Timothy Leadership Training Institute
The Hekman Library
The Hekman Library is home to more than 520,000 books, including an entire floor of resources devoted to theology, biblical scholarship, and ministry practices. As a PhD student you will receive a dedicated library study carrel.
Finances
Calvin Seminary Supports Students
Calvin Seminary offers a wide range of scholarships and other financial assistance.
Calvin Seminary offers a wide range of scholarships and other financial assistance. In fact, in recent years, nearly $1.5 million in scholarship funds were awarded annually. Doctoral Fellowships, Doctoral Assistantships, and Doctoral Tuition Scholarships are available to students in the PhD program at Calvin Theological Seminary. In addition, modest PhD living stipends are available on the basis of financial need.
Course Work and Outcomes
The PhD Program
Courses focus on areas of current faculty interest and research. They are designed to introduce students to proper research methods and their application as well as to important theological issues and developments.
Students are required to complete a total of twelve PhD courses for credit. Full-time students take six courses per year (typically three per semester) for two years. Part-time students take either four courses per year for three years or three courses per year for four years. At least three courses must be taken in the student’s discipline of specialization and at least two courses in each of the other three areas.
In addition to the twelve required PhD courses, students in the program must take seminar 903P, “Teaching Seminar,” during the first two years in the program and are expected to take seminar 902P, “Dissertation Seminar,” if they have completed the required PhD courses and reside in the Grand Rapids area. Students ordinarily will take the dissertation seminar during more than one semester. These seminars are offered on a credit/no credit basis and do not count toward the twelve required courses in the program.
Outcomes: Program graduates will leave the program with the following skills and competencies:
- Academic research skills.
- Critical analytical skills.
- Scholarly writing skills.
- Ability to teach across the entire field of biblical and theological studies, with mastery of one biblical or theological discipline.
- Ability to provide thoughtful, fair, and respectful analyses and interpretations of positions with which they agree and of positions with which they disagree.
- Ability to articulate their own biblical and theological positions and engage in informed, respectful dialogue with other points of view.
- Understanding of and appreciation for Christian thought from around the world and from diverse points of view.
- Ability to strengthen the church’s biblical and theological understanding and its ministry, including the ministry of proclaiming the gospel and discipling believers for Christ-like service in everyday life.
Stories
Called to Serve
Past graduates have applied their learning to a variety of ministry-based opportunities. Here are some of their stories:
Application Requirements and Deadlines
For the PhD Program
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program has some specific admissions requirements, unique to the program. Below are some of the specifics. If you have any questions, the admissions office is here to help.
Admission Requirements
General: The PhD committee, in partnership with the admissions office will make all admissions decisions. A Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Theology, or an equivalent degree, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 (B+), from an accredited institution. All applicants must show transcript evidence that they know Hebrew, Greek, and a modern foreign language (preferably German, French, or Dutch). Applicants must also submit scores of the Graduate Record Examination and a research paper that demonstrates their ability to do theological research and analysis at an advanced level.
For more information on the PhD admissions process, please see the PhD Handbook.
International Student Admissions: For information on international student application requirements, visit the international student information page below.
Admission Deadlines
The deadline for PhD application materials to be submitted is January 15.
The PhD program has one start date: the Fall Semester. Admitted students will typically be required to be on-campus for an orientation in mid-August.
Ready to Start?
Click on the button below to begin the application process.