Biblical Studies (PhD)
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biblical Studies is a terminal research doctorate designed to prepare and equip biblical scholars who show exceptional academic promise and teaching potential.
The degree program requires 60 credit hours of study, including the doctoral dissertation. The program is delivered in a blended format, leveraging online technology with face-to-face seminar experiences, resulting in a model of delivery that fits the lives of adult learners. Because of this alternate delivery method, the PhD in Biblical Studies will be accessible to men and women who are already actively engaged in full time marketplace employment or Christian ministries and are unable to enter a traditional residency program.
The students will join a cohort of peers who will progress together though a prescribed sequence of seminars, develop sustainable habits of scholarly inquiry, and enjoy the benefits of functioning in a cooperative learning environment.
Through the PhD in Biblical Studies, students will realize a greater mastery of biblical languages, historical backgrounds, and theological frameworks. The program also contains a significant component of seminar work dedicated to the development of mediated and classroom teaching skills for the instruction of adult learners, including learning theory, instructional design, and educational technology. In addition to the more common humanities-based research model for biblical research, students will have the option of focusing their dissertation research in the area of biblical instruction by using empirical methodologies as well as humanities-based research designs.
The integration of these studies and disciplines will enable the candidates to conduct doctoral level research and will equip them to serve as ministry practitioners in a variety of fields requiring the highest level of academic degree achievement.
Curricular Structure
The PhD in Biblical Studies program consists of sixty credits, two non-credit Research Language Courses (French and German) and a non-credit Qualifying Exams Course. The curriculum is designed as follows:
| Expert Biblical Exegete |
32 Credits |
| Innovator of Education |
8 Credits |
| Research Scholar |
20 Credits |
| Program Total |
60 Credit |
Curricular Design and Distinct Characteristics
This program requires a minimum of three and a half years of study. Students who enroll in the PhD in Biblical Studies degree program will complete 60 hours of academic study consisting of 40 credit hours of core competency seminars and 20 credit hours of focused, research-related study, including qualifying exams, prospectus preparation, and completion of the dissertation.
Purpose
The purpose of the PhD in Biblical Studies program is to prepare twenty-first century professors, teachers, pastors, and missionaries to teach biblical and theological studies in institutes of Christian higher education, the local church, and parachurch organizations and equip them to integrate a significant knowledge of educational technology, adult learning theory, and mediated learning methodology in their teaching roles.
Location Offered
Washington, DC (Greenbelt, MD) Site
Core Competencies
As a result of completing the PhD in Biblical Studies, the student will attain an excellent command of the historical, cultural, and linguistic foundations of Scripture. The student will also attain an expert's ability to apply advanced hermeneutical principles to develop a theology of Scripture and to critically evaluate theological systems. The graduate of the program will then be empowered to serve as a teacher of teachers, employing the most effective and innovative techniques, including computer technology and mediated instruction. The program will also prepare world-class scholars proficient in advanced research methods leveraging cutting-edge computer research techniques.
Expert Biblical Exegete
- This core competency will deepen and sharpen the students' ability to exegete Scripture through advanced training in the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. The students explore the cognate languages and study textual criticism to expand their knowledge and understanding of the wider foundations of Scripture.
- Students will be enabled to comprehend and analyze Scripture against the backdrop of the languages, civilizations, and literatures of the ancient world in which the revelation of God was first given to humanity.
- Students will be equipped with exegetical skills needed to effectively discern the teaching of Scripture for the sake of communicating biblical truth to others.
Innovator of Education
- Students will be equipped to think and execute skillfully as classroom and online teachers. Courses focus on the acquisition of the knowledge and skills necessary for comprehending human development processes, learning theory, and the teaching-learning process as they apply to both the classroom and online teaching contexts.
- Students will gain an understanding of adult learning theory and its effective application to the teaching of adults in the changing higher education environment. Students learn how to engage adult learners in face-to-face, online, and blended teaching contexts. Students explore appropriate teaching models for adult learners in mediated learning environments. As students employ technological tools and blended learning techniques, they further hone their ability to train others to effectively use the same tools and techniques.
Researcher Scholar
- As a result of completing the PhD in Biblical Studies program, the student will gain the ability to think and execute skillfully as a researcher-scholar and author using computer technology. This core competency focuses on the development of research skills necessary in the completion of a research doctoral degree. This is accomplished through three primary means: the foundational research course, mentored research, and the dissertation sequence.
- Students may elect one of two approaches to research - the humanities approach most commonly employed in biblical scholarship or an empirical approach often employed in the field of education. Students will take a Biblical Research and Writing Course which includes an introduction to empirical research methods at the beginning of the program.
- Biblical Research & Writing Course: This course is taken in the first semester to orient the student to the research and writing methods which will continue to be developed throughout the duration of the program. The student is also introduced to the cohort learning model and participates in collaborative learning processes. The principles established in this foundational course also feed directly into the educational competency as they model the teaching methods from the andragogical courses.
- Mentored Research: All students are assigned a scholar-mentor who will assist them in honing the skill of research. Mentors supervise the students' research and serve as the chair of the students' dissertation committee.
- Biblical Research Dissertation Sequence: The dissertation sequence consists of four stages: Reading & Prospectus, Chapters 1-2, Dissertation Completion, and Dissertation Defense. Building on the foundation laid in the Biblical Research & Writing Course, this core competency furthers the development of the essential knowledge and thinking skills needed to carry out the entire research process, including identification of the research problem, conducting a literature review, designing of research approach, and writing of the dissertation. It also develops the analytical and critical thinking skills needed to evaluate and interpret research findings. This competency culminates with the writing and defense of a research dissertation.
- Biblical Instruction Dissertation Option: Using an empirical approach to research design, students may elect to study aspects of biblical instruction in the mediated learning environment. Each candidate for the PhD in Biblical Studies Instruction Option must complete a dissertation based on the candidate's own systematic inquiry into an area of advanced research in academic instruction. The dissertation is intended to demonstrate competency in research design, methodology, and the ability to think critically and make a contribution to the literature in the field of study. Special permission is required from the Dean of the Seminary to pursue this dissertation approach.
Biblical Studies PhD Curricular Structure/Degree Requirements
Biblical Studies PhD Curriculum
Application, Admission, Retention, and Graduation
Admission Requirements
Application Protocols – General Information
Applicants for the PhD in Biblical Studies program should begin the application process early in order to allow for as much lead time as possible. Some application requirements, such as completing standardized testing and having transcripts sent from other institutions, involve time delays. Applicants who begin early will have a greater chance of completing all of the application steps in time to be considered for admission to the program. Preferred applicants will be those engaged in a teaching or ministry role or those applicants who show exceptional promise for such a role in the future.
Only fully completed application files will be reviewed. This is because a partially completed application does not always give an accurate picture of a student’s ability to successfully perform doctoral level work. For example, applicants with borderline grade point averages (GPA) may have significant successful ministry experience. Such an applicant would be evaluated on the basis of both achievements, rather than just the GPA. This comprehensive evaluation might result in the student’s admission to the program. Applicants should not assume that a shortcoming in one admission criteria automatically disqualifies them from admission. In reality, significant achievements in other admission criteria may accommodate a shortcoming in another area.
Prerequisites to Program Application
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General Degree Prerequisites
Applicants to the PhD program must hold an earned and accredited master's degree in an appropriately related field. Applicant’s transcripts should reflect a background in biblical, theological, and ministry studies at the master's level. Applicants who have not completed course work in biblical, theological, and ministry studies, including biblical Hebrew and biblical Greek, may be required to successfully complete “leveling” work to equip them for the biblical and theological components of the program.
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Degree Leveling
Students who are deficient in meeting the above requirements must take additional coursework to attain equivalency. This process is called “leveling.” Several options for leveling academic deficiencies are available to students. You should discuss deficiencies with the Program Director of the PhD in Biblical Studies. Equivalency options through the completion of additional approved academic courses include: campus-based courses; web-based courses; taking courses at a Capital Seminary and Graduate School extension site; and completing academic courses at another accredited institution.
The method and timeline for the completion of leveling requirements will be determined by the Program Director. If leveling coursework is completed at an institution other than LBC | Capital, the student will submit official transcripts to be retained on file by the registrar’s office.
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Grade Point Averages
The minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) for admission to this doctoral program is equivalent to the letter grade "B," 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Cumulative GPAs below a “B” usually disqualify an applicant for admission to doctoral research studies at LBC|Capital. However, students with a lower GPA who have significant qualifications in other areas may appeal to the Program Director regarding this requirement. Students with a GPA under 3.0 may choose to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) and submit their score with the application. A high score on the GRE or MAT will be taken into consideration in the application process for students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement.
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English Language Requirement
Applicants whose first language is not English must attain a minimum test score of 100 on the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test. Alternatively, with the approval of the Director of the PhD in Biblical Studies program, students may provide an equivalent demonstration of the ability to read, write, and conduct academic research in Standard English.
Application Process
Steps to Apply
1.
Complete the Application Form (Appendix A) and submit it along with the $40 non-refundable application fee. Applicants must submit with the application a personal testimony of faith in Jesus Christ, describing their personal spiritual journey.
2.
Submit Additional Documents
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Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended
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Three “Recommendation for Admission” forms (Appendix B; two academic, one pastor)
3.
Complete Standardized Testing, if necessary
- Optional: Submit official test scores for the GRE or MAT for consideration in cases of low GPA (see Handbook section 1.2.3)
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
4.
Complete interview and submit research sample
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All applicants must participate in an admissions interview.
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Applicants must submit a research paper written at the master’s level on a biblical or theological topic.
All items requested on the LBC|Capital application form should be emailed to Capitaloffice@lbc.edu or sent to:
Capital Admissions Office
901 Eden Road
Lancaster PA 17601
Application Deadlines
All application materials must be submitted in full no later than July 15th to be eligible for admission for the next fall semester.
Applications initiated or completed after this date may be placed on a waiting list. Applications received after July 15th may be delayed for admission until the next year.
Application Response
Application Evaluation
Once applicant files are completed in full, the PhD Admission Committee evaluates applicant profiles in terms of demonstrated and potential ability to complete doctoral studies and doctoral level research successfully. Applicants will be notified of the admissions decision within four weeks of the submission of all application materials.
Five decisions are possible. The Committee makes a consensus admission decision on applicants using the following scale.
1.
Full Acceptance: The student is fully accepted with no deficiencies or leveling requirements.
2.
Accepted with Deficiencies: The student is accepted into the program with admissions deficiencies identified.
3.
Accepted on Review Status: The student is admitted pending further review. This may be because a part of the student's application was incomplete (e.g. a score was not received in time) or because the applicant did not meet one of the admissions requirements.
4.
Delay: The student may receive an application delay. This may be due to the program being full, a change in the student's life situation, or an event preventing the student from attending the first program session. Delayed status students will not have to reapply to the program but must pay the program down payment fee.
5.
Declined: The student who is declined will be notified by mail or email. Specific reasons for the decline are not provided.
Advanced Standing
Applicants with a ThM degree may apply for Advanced Standing. Students who are admitted and approved for Advanced Standing may be exempted from up to three courses. The exact number and type of courses for exemption are selected by the Program Director based on the specific details of the student’s educational background. For some students, it may be possible to complete the program with 48 hours of coursework instead of the standard 60 hours.
Graduation
In order to graduate with the PhD in Biblical Studies degree, the
student must have fulfilled all of the following:
1. Complete all course work with B grade or above in all seminars.
2. Pass the qualifying exams.
3. Successfully write the dissertation proposal.
4. Successfully write and defend the dissertation.
5. Submit the completed dissertation for publication and binding.
6. Fulfill all financial obligations to Capital Seminary & Graduate
School.
7. Complete the program within the statute of limitations period as identified in the PhD in Biblical Studies Handbook.
8. Adhere to biblical standards and ethics in one’s lifestyle.
9. Participate in the graduation and hooding ceremony.
Program Director
Dr. Mark R. Meyer
Dr. Mark Meyer provides the leadership for the PhD in Biblical Studies. He brings more than 20 years of church ministry and teaching experience to the classroom having taught at the graduate level at Capital Bible Seminary. Dr. Meyer has earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University, an MS in Electrical Engineering at The Johns Hopkins University, an MDiv degree at Capital Bible Seminary, and an MA and PhD in Semitic Languages and Literatures at The Catholic University of America. Dr. Meyer has also completed studies in Israel with Jerusalem University College.
Phone: 717.342.7594 | Email: mmeyer@lbc.edu
Faculty
These individuals have full-time or part-time appointments on the faculty and will serve this program. Other full-time, adjunct and part-time faculty will be engaged as the program progresses in its development.
| Resident Faculty: |
Adjunct Faculty: |
| Doug Finkbeiner, PhD |
Michael Anthony, PhD |
| Joseph Kim, PhD |
Debra Johnson-Cortesi, PhD |
Victor Jacobs, PhD
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Jeffrey Tuttle, EdD |
Mark R. Meyer, PhD
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| John Soden, PhD |
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