Wheaton College trains evangelical scholars to serve the church worldwide as teachers, researchers, pastors, and leaders.
Our Biblical & Theological Studies Ph.D program fosters faithfulness to the teaching of Scripture and theology in combination with creative and critical reflection on its significance for the church and contemporary culture.
Small cohorts enable us to provide more opportunities and attention to each Ph.D. student.
Our 90+ Ph.D. graduates serve churches and communities around the globe.
All Ph.D. students receive full tuition funding plus a research fellowship and travel stipends.
Or reach out to us anytime at graduate.admissions@wheaton.edu.
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It’s not too early! Connect with one of our program mentors to discuss dissertation topics, learn program distinctives, and explore vocational pathways.
The length and specific components of the program will vary from student to student, but will include seminar-style courses and directed independent studies.
Ph.D. candidates also will write a dissertation that is distinctly theological in nature. This original research will focus on one of the traditional academic areas: Old Testament, New Testament, Systematic Theology, or Historical Theology.
Much of the Ph.D. program is rooted in independent studies, but common seminars include:
From the very start of their program through their dissertation defense, Ph.D. students will build strong personal and academic relationships with the program faculty. The following professors are the primary Ph.D. mentors.
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The Ph.D. Committee in Biblical and Theological Studies is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Andrew Abernethy as a new Ph.D. Mentor in Old Testament. His areas of interest are Isaiah, Psalms, and the Prophets, Theological/Canonical Interpretation, Literary-thematic approaches to the Old Testament, Old Testament theology, Integration of ancient context, literary analysis, and reception.
In partnership with our Center for Vocation and Career, many find employment in higher education, as well as church and parachurch agencies.
Alumni from the program have gone on to work at the following organizations and many more:
Alumni of the Ph.D. in Biblical & Theological Studies program have gone on to faithful careers in a variety of different fields. Many hold teaching positions at seminaries as well as both Christian and secular colleges and universities around the country and the world. Beyond that, our graduates pastor churches large and small here in the local area, on both coasts of the country, and in many other countries across the globe. A number of graduates also serve in publishing and other media-related fields.
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— Carmen Imes Ph.D., '16“Wheaton was an ideal place in which to prepare for a lifetime of scholarship and teaching.”
Dr. Carmen Imes, an associate professor of Old Testament at Biola University in Alberta, Canada, is the author of Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters. She has appeared on more than 50 podcasts and radio shows and is a guest blogger for Christianity Today, The Political Theology Network, and The Well. Imes frequently speaks at churches, conferences, and retreats, and she's even launched a YouTube channel where she releases weekly "Torah Tuesday" videos.
Before earning her Ph.D. from Wheaton College, Imes and her husband served as missionaries in the Philippines with SIM International.
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Ty Kieser, Ph.D. 2020 was recently hired as Assistant Professor of Theology and the Program Director of the M.A. in Theological & Biblical Studies at Criswell College in Dallas, Texas. His teaching is split between undergraduate and graduate theology and church history classes. Ty has published and presented extensively within his areas of research: Christology, trinitarian theology, post-Reformation theology, and theology of the atonement, including his forthcoming co-authorship, with Kelly M. Kapic, John Owen Among the Theologians(Under Contract; due 2024).
We've put together a few common questions (and their answers) about this graduate program.
Our program is highly competitive and intensive and seeks six scholars per year who can serve the church worldwide as teachers, researchers, pastors, and leaders.
A full tuition scholarship, as well as a research fellowship, for each of the six students accepted per year, will allow you to devote yourself to advanced learning as a fully involved member of the academic community.
See full admissions requirements.
The Ph.D. in Biblical and Theological Studies is a residential program.
Considering Ph.D. work is an important decision. Our faculty member Dr. Daniel Treier has written advice to evangelical students who are pursuing doctoral programs. Read his advice, here.
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The Biblical & Theological Studies Ph.D. program offers full tuition scholarships, as well as a research fellowship, to each of the six students accepted per year.
This financial award enables Ph.D. candidates to devote themselves to advanced learning as a fully involved member of the academic community.
Learn About Graduate Financial AidInterested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton? Request more information or start your application today.