2024 Best Online PhD in Biblical Studies [Doctorate Guide]
By Megan Patiry
Edited by Briana Sukert
Updated on October 4, 2024
A PhD in Biblical Studies can help you develop your understanding and expertise of the Bible, including the historical and theological messages, contexts, and languages it’s comprised of.
This degree can help prepare students for teaching and research careers in theological schools, seminaries, and universities. It can also help graduates enhance their ministerial practice. From developing advanced analytical skills to exploring biblical languages, this PhD fully immerses students in theology and biblical history.
This degree path can help you work toward the goal of teaching or ministering while also producing scholarly writing and research. This doctorate degree should not be confused with the Doctor of Divinity, which is an honorary degree. In most cases, you won’t be able to earn an online Doctor of Divinity, for example.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Calvary University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Bible and Theology. The degree can be earned online or on campus, typically in just 4 years. The first year typically focuses on Biblical exegesis, the second year on Biblical synthesis, the third year on systematic theology, and the fourth year on the dissertation.
Calvary University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Baptist Bible Seminary at Clarks Summit University offers a PhD program with four possible concentrations: Old Testament, New Testament, Systematic Theology, and Bible Exposition. The program can be completed mostly online with some 1 week modules on campus. To graduate, students must complete 60 credit hours of coursework and a dissertation.
Clarks Summit University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Columbia International University offers an online program for a Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies that can typically be finished in 5 years of part-time study or 3 years of full-time study. The program offers students individualized guidance and faculty mentorship. The full program requires the completion of 45 credit hours and a dissertation.
CIU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Faulkner University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies. The program is fully online and allows students to study on their own time. Students may complete their dissertation defense via conference call. To graduate, students must pass language proficiency tests in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
Faulkner University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Lancaster Bible College’s PhD in Biblical Studies uses a hybrid format and can potentially be completed in just 3.5 years. Each class is 16 weeks long and may be taken online or on campus. Students must also attend three 6 day residencies each year. Students progress through the program with a cohort of 12 to 18 peers.
Lancaster Bible College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The Doctorate in Biblical Studies from Liberty University can be completed online, typically in about 2 years. Each class is 8 weeks long. The curriculum consists of courses such as Theology of the Gospel, The Theory and Practice of Biblical Theology, and The Bible and the Pastor (Uses of Scripture in Pastoral Ministry).
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies. Optional emphasis areas are available in Old Testament, New Testament, and Biblical Theology. The program requires the completion of 52 credit hours and a dissertation and usually takes at least 4 years to finish.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Northeastern Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry is available mostly online but does require a weeklong residency in New York. Students can choose between part-time and full-time scheduling options. Full-time students can potentially finish in just 3 years. The program is intended for those who already have at least 3 years of professional ministry experience.
Northeastern Seminary is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Regent University offers a PhD in Renewal Theology with a concentration in Biblical Studies that can be completed mostly online. The program does require a 2 week residency on campus each fall. To graduate, students must complete 60 credit hours, including a dissertation. The curriculum consists of courses such as Advanced Hermeneutics, Advanced Cosmogony and Anthropology, and Renewal Theology.
Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
At Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, students may earn a PhD with a major in either Old Testament or New Testament Biblical Studies. PhD students at SWBTS must also choose a minor. Options are available for distance learners to attend seminars virtually. To apply, prospective students must hold a master’s degree and have previous education in Hebrew and Greek.
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The purpose of online PhD programs in biblical studies is to equip students with the necessary skills for academic, teaching, and research careers in theology, biblical history, biblical languages, and more.
This type of program is geared toward preparing graduates to teach biblical doctrine, biblical history, and critical interpretation of the Bible in universities, seminaries, theological schools, and colleges. A Ph.D. in Biblical Studies also aims to prepare students to produce scholarly writing for research purposes and to infuse expert scholarship into their ministerial practice.
You will likely study subjects such as:
You can also expect to encounter courses that focus on dissertation research and effective writing. This degree path aims to improve your analytical skills of biblical text. This includes developing your ability to interpret and analyze passages effectively, with the goal of expressing these interpretations in scholarly writing and research.
This analytical focus leads some graduates to publish scholarly writing or research papers on aspects of the Bible. Some graduates choose to apply their scholarly specialty to a ministerial career. A scholarship-backed approach can add depth and authority to ministry, often leading to greater leadership capital and a deeper understanding of the Word of God.
A PhD in Biblical Studies offers several degree concentrations to help you tailor your studies to your interests. Every student’s coursework and dissertation will reflect their chosen concentration. Common concentrations in on-campus or online biblical studies degrees may include:
Biblical studies concentrations often require language competency in a biblical language, such as Hebrew or ancient Greek, and a research language, such as German or French.
Career paths for graduates with a PhD in Biblical Studies can range from teaching at a university level to pastoring or ministering in a church organization.
Some pastors even pursue teaching at a seminary or bible college in addition to their pastoral duties. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are some of the career paths associated with advanced biblical studies.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Postsecondary Education Administrators | $96,910 |
| Principals — Private K-12 Schools | $79,780 |
| Postsecondary Philosophy and Religion Teachers | $77,610 |
| Writers and Authors | $69,510 |
| Historians | $63,940 |
| Editors | $63,350 |
| Archivists | $60,050 |
| Clergy | $49,720 |
| Religious Activities and Education Directors | $46,980 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $37,500 |
Those in ministry might work as senior or associate pastors of local congregations, ministry directors, or directors of nonprofit organizations.
Expertise in biblical scholarship is also useful for the research, writing, and editing of academic and devotional publications.
While coursework can vary based on the program and concentration, here are examples of some core religious studies courses that may appear in a PhD in Biblical Studies program:
These courses aim to provide students with advanced skills in scholarly research, evaluation, and theological instruction, helping you build a solid foundation for an effective dissertation.
When researching doctoral programs in biblical studies, it’s helpful to pay attention to admissions requirements. While most programs have similar requirements, they can vary depending upon the university.
Common criteria include:
Depending on the program, you may also be required to complete an interview, provide a goal statement, or submit GRE scores. A growing number of schools no longer require GRE or GMAT scores, though.
Before selecting a college, university, or seminary, it’s strategic to determine whether it has been accredited. Accreditation ensures you are receiving a quality education that meets certain standards and is recognized by both employers and other accredited institutions.
Your school’s accreditation status can affect your employability as well as your ability to receive financial aid. Regional accreditation is considered the most prestigious accreditation. You can visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) online to verify that your school is accredited by a credible accrediting organization.
Many students seek financial aid to complete a PhD in Biblical Studies program. This assistance can come in many forms, including federal aid, state aid, scholarships, grants, and more.
To see if you qualify for student loans from the government, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Scholarship and grant opportunities exist for individuals across the country, and they’re often based on need, merit, and area of study.
Some employers also offer financial aid programs to help their workers complete or further their education. You can speak to your employer or HR department to see if they offer any tuition benefits. In addition, many schools offer fellowship or assistantship options for PhD candidates. You can check with your school to see what financial aid opportunities may be available.
Earning a PhD in Biblical Studies may help you qualify for teaching opportunities in universities, seminaries, theological schools, and colleges.
Your specialty, such as biblical languages or Old or New Testament studies, could help determine your teaching area. Because of the rigorous dissertation coursework involved, it can also prepare graduates to conduct research and produce scholarly writing. Advanced study of biblical studies could also give graduates an opportunity to infuse specialized expertise into their ministerial practice.
Graduates may apply this degree to publishing as well. For instance, some may go on to write or edit either academically or for a Christian publication.
Unless you are in an accelerated theology degree online or on campus program, in general, a PhD program tends to take anywhere from 3 to 5 years to complete with full-time study, depending on the number of credit hours it requires and how long it takes you to finish your dissertation.
If no dissertation is required, a doctoral program can generally be completed in 3 years with full-time study. Many online programs offer 6 week to 8 week terms and allow you to enroll in classes year-round. Part-time studies can offer more flexibility, but it will also extend your time to completion.
You may have come across both PhD in Theology and PhD in Biblical Studies programs. Here’s a key difference between the two.
Since understanding the Bible also teaches students about God, these two paths often have some overlap.
Yes, a PhD in Biblical Studies is worth it for many students. A PhD is a common qualification for teaching at the postsecondary level. In addition to colleges and universities, graduates may also pursue teaching positions at seminaries or theological schools.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 12% over the next ten years. This is considered to be faster than average for all occupations. Professionals can also apply their doctoral studies and their biblical expertise to ministerial practice. Others may pursue publishing or editorial work for a Christian publication.
Online PhD programs in biblical studies may provide you with the needed flexibility to pursue an advanced teaching, research, or ministry career that is infused with the Word of God.
Gaining advanced knowledge of the Bible is beneficial for both personal and professional growth. A doctoral program is also designed to develop your research skills, which can be applied to biblical study as well as scholarly publication.
Many accredited institutions of higher education offer doctoral degrees in biblical studies online, allowing you to earn a credible degree according to your own schedule. You can start exploring biblical studies PhD programs today to discover which ones best match your personal interests and professional goals.
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