Biblical Studies (Ph.D.)
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2025 through summer 2026. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | ||
| Language Competency | ||
| German Examination 1 | ||
| Foundational Courses | ||
| RTCH 900 | Research Methods 2 | 3 |
| RTCH 901 | Pedagogical Foundations for Teaching | 3 |
| Core Courses | ||
| BIBL 905 | Uses of Scripture within Scripture | 3 |
| BIBL 920 | Readings in Old Testament and New Testament Texts | 3 |
| BLTH 904 | Scripture, Revelation, and Interpretation | 3 |
| BLTH 922 | The Theology of the Torah | 3 |
| or BLTH 925 | Theology of the Gospel | |
| Biblical Studies Elective Courses | ||
| Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Comprehensive Exam 4 | ||
| NBST 993 | Readings in New Testament and Comprehensive Examination | 3 |
| OBST 993 | Readings in Old Testament and Comprehensive Examination | 3 |
| Dissertation Courses 4,5,6,7 | ||
| DISS 986 | Mentor Directed Research, Proposal, and Literature Review | 3 |
| DISS 987 | Dissertation Research and Writing I | 5 |
| DISS 988 | Dissertation Research and Writing II | 5 |
| DISS 989 | Dissertation Research and Writing III | 5 |
| DISS 990 | Dissertation Defense | 0 |
| Total Hours | 57 | |
- 1
Students may petition and gain approval from the PhD director to use a different research language (e.g., Latin, French, Spanish) if it can be shown the relevancy of that language toward the student’s dissertation project. The student must demonstrate proficiency in the requested research language.
- 2
Students should take RTCH 900 within the first year of their program of study.
- 3
Students may choose from any 900 level BIBL, BLTH, NGRK, NBST, OBST, or OTCL course.
- 4
Students who successfully complete 30 hours of doctoral course study with a GPA of 3.25 or higher in the courses of study for the Ph.D. in Biblical Studies may be eligible to take comprehensive examinations along with their final course in the program upon approval from the PhD director. Upon passing of the comprehensive examinations and all other course work, the student is admitted to doctoral candidacy and may proceed toward developing a dissertation thesis and writing the dissertation under the supervision of a faculty supervisor and two faculty readers (the dissertation committee). Students who do not successfully pass comprehensive exams will be required to repeat the course. Failure to successfully pass the exams upon the second attempt may result in the student being terminated from the program. Registration for Comprehensive Exams require Program Director approval.
- 5
Registration for DISS courses require Program Director approval.
- 6
Once the student enters the Dissertation phase, he/she must maintain continuous enrollment (Fall and Spring semesters) until all degree requirements are completed.
- 7
Once entering the writing phase of the dissertation, students must continually demonstrate progress toward their dissertation. Students who have made progress, but who have not completed the course requirements, may be required to repeat the course. Students who have made no progress toward their dissertation for three consecutive semesters may be terminated from the program.
All applicable prerequisites must be met
Graduation Requirements
- 57 total hours
- A maximum of 50% of a post-graduate and doctoral degree may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
- 3.0 GPA
- No grades lower than B- may be applied to the degree
- Successful completion of the Research Language Competencies
- Successful completion of Comprehensive Exams
- Degree must be completed within 7 years
- Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student's anticipated graduation date
Program Offered in Resident Format
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RTCH 900 | Research Methods | 3 |
| BIBL 900 | Hermeneutics and History of Interpretation | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| NBST 910 | Uses of the Old Testament in the New Testament 1 | 3 |
| OBST 900 | Reading Seminar in Ancient Near Eastern History and Culture | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| NBST 900 | Reading Seminar in Early Judaism and the Greco-Roman World | 3 |
| Major Area of Focus Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Major Area of Focus Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Major Area of Focus Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| Major Area of Focus Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Minor Area of Focus Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| Minor Area of Focus Elective 3 | 3 | |
| RTCH 901 | Pedagogical Foundations for Teaching | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Seventh Semester | ||
| Major Area of Focus Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Minor Area of Focus Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Eighth Semester | ||
| DISS 987 | Dissertation Research and Writing I | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Ninth Semester | ||
| DISS 988 | Dissertation Research and Writing II | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Tenth Semester | ||
| DISS 989 | Dissertation Research and Writing III | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Eleventh Semester | ||
| DISS 990 | Dissertation Defense | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| Total Hours | 57 | |