Christ-centered academic inquiry and spiritual leadership Biblical & Theological Studies (Ph.D)

Wheaton College trains Christian 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.

Credential Type

Ph.D.

Major Credits Required

40-60

Duration

3-4 years

Format

Residential

6 Students Admitted

Small cohorts enable us to provide more opportunities and attention to each Ph.D. student.

17 Countries

Our 70+ Ph.D. graduates serve churches and communities around the globe.

100% Funding

All Ph.D. students receive full tuition funding plus a research fellowship and travel stipends.

Request Information

Or reach out to us anytime at graduate.admissions@wheaton.edu.

Why Wheaton for Your Biblical and Theological Ph.D.? A Holistic Approach to Biblical-Theological Studies

In a world of highly specialized scholarship, we are intentional about bridging the scholarly gap between the Old and New Testaments, and especially between the disciplines of Biblical Studies and Theology.

Concurrent Coursework

Unlike most doctoral programs in North America that operate with a sequential, step-by-step model, our program is concurrent. This means students being work on their dissertation proposals during their first semester, while taking seminars, honing their modern language skills, completing required readings for breadth and depth of knowledge in their field, and engaging in fellowship work.

Globally Minded Curriculum

Students will be exposed to perspectives from around the world through class discussions, the presence of visiting international scholars, and an academic community engaged in global issues. Additionally, Wheaton is a member of the Hispanic Theological Initiative, a consortium of 25 institutions dedicated to increasing the the number of Latino/a Ph.D. candidates and graduates in related fields.

Integrated Research

Wheaton's Ph.D. program emphasizes the connections between disciplines. Our dissertation requirements call for original research that's based in theology and integrated in scope.

Program Goals

In today’s academy, Biblical Studies and Theology are often treated as separate, autonomous subjects, but our Ph.D. program is designed to hold them together: We want our students to engage the entire canon of Scripture to discern its unified message. Likewise, our program explores the scriptural roots of theology and the theological roots of Scripture.

Our Curriculum

The length and specific components of the program will vary from student to student, but will likely 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.

View Curriculum

Sample Courses

Much of the Ph.D. program is rooted in independent studies, but common seminars and elective options may include:

Introduction to Doctoral Research
Biblical Interpretation and Theology
Current Issues in New Testament Studies
Historical Theology: Medieval Christianity

Our Faculty Compassionate and Intelligent Educators

From the very start of their program through their dissertation defense, Ph.D. students will build strong personal and academic relationships with program faculty. Not only will students be able to draw on the resources of the entire School of Biblical and Theological Studies, but faculty members from across Wheaton College can serve as a sounding board and even as secondary readers for dissertations.

Meet Our Faculty

Alumni Perspectives

Author & Educator

“Wheaton was an ideal place in which to prepare for a lifetime of scholarship and teaching.”

— Carmen Imes Ph.D., '16

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.

Ty Kieser Headshot

Congratulations, Ty!

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).

See where our alumni are now

Financial Wellness

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 Aid

Next Steps

Interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton? Request more information or start your application today.

Graduate Admissions Request Information