The Luther Rice Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Scripture (Ph.D.) is among the nation’s most efficient and affordable programs of its kind, grounded in our steadfast commitment to the inspired, inerrant, sufficient, and authoritative Word of God. This advanced research degree equips students with the rigor and competencies required for scholarly engagement in Old Testament, New Testament, and Biblical Theology. The curriculum prepares graduates for high-level service in pastoral ministry, teaching, research, and academic writing. The program may be completed 100% online, with some optional on-campus coursework. Students complete 18 credit hours in Old Testament and 18 credit hours in New Testament, positioning them for future teaching opportunities across both disciplines.

Students acquire advanced exegetical abilities in the Hebrew and Greek canons, along with methodologies essential to biblical interpretation and biblical theology. These tools introduce learners to various approaches for moving faithfully from exegesis to theology, enabling them to become more skilled readers and teachers of the Christian Scripture.

This interdisciplinary course of study cultivates scholarship, research proficiency, and professional competencies related to:

Enhancing pastoral ministries with scholarly depth

Teaching at the highest level in Christian academia

Conducting advanced academic research and writing

Developing the critical thinking skills essential to ministry and academic contexts

Interpreting Christian Scripture and assessing its significance for contemporary culture

• Accredited with SACSCOC, TRACS, and ABHE
• 58-hour doctoral degree program
• Time of Completion: 5-8 Years
• The degree can be completed 100% online
• 1 introductory course begins with a mandatory week-long module, attended on campus or live via Zoom.
• 97% of graduates reported that a Luther Rice education improved the quality of their ministry experience
• Online Tuition $459 per Credit Hour + $190 Course Tech Fee
• Total Cost/Course: $1,567

Course Listings

Download Ph.D. Course Listings here (pdf)

Admissions Requirements

• Graduate degree in biblical studies, divinity, theology, or related discipline from an institution with accreditation recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education.
• 3.0 minimum graduate cumulative GPA (on 4.0 scale)
• Writing Sample
• Entrance interview
• An introduction to biblical hermeneutics/interpretation: 3 Credit Hrs of graduate-level work equivalent 
• An Introduction to the Old Testament: 3 Credit Hrs of graduate-level work equivalent 
• An introduction to the New Testament: 3 Credit Hrs of graduate-level work equivalent 
• Graduate level biblical Hebrew: 9 Credit Hrs
• Graduate level biblical Greek: 9 Credit Hrs
• Other general admissions requirements

*Applicants whose graduate degree does not meet the minimum requirements for Hebrew or Greek will be required to take eighteen credit hours in biblical languages (i.e., nine credit hours in Hebrew and nine credit hours in Greek). Luther Rice offers nine credit-hour graduate certificates in Hebrew and in Greek.

Potential Careers

• Professor
• Program Coordinator
• Pastor
• Scholar
• Author
• Speaker
• Non-profit
• Administrator
• Teacher

Other Items

• After completion of five seminars and two reading coll,oquia the student must show competency in German as a research language.  Students will have the opportunity to take additional coursework if needed to accommodate this item.
• Pending committee input and dissertation topics, some students may have to show competency in one of the following research languages: Latin, French, or Spanish.  This requirement occurs after completion of all course work and before the dissertation stages.  If needed, students will have the opportunity to take additional coursework to accommodate this item.

Apply for FREE with promo code "luther" at www.lutherrice.edu/apply 

Program Coordinator