PhD in Theological Studies (Ph.D.)

Purpose

Logos Evangelical Seminary strives to produce effective Chinese Christian scholars and teachers who can critically engage biblical and theological scholarship, translate and contextualize that scholarship into Chinese context, and then bring those fresh theological paradigms into the global theological conversation.

Program Learning Outcomes 

The Ph.D. program offers specialization in Biblical Studies (concentrations in Old Testament or New Testament) and Systematic Theology. The Ph.D. program aims to prepare students for serving in teaching ministry in theological institution and doing research and academic writing by fostering and equipping students to have the following qualities:

  1. Logos graduates will demonstrate conversance with the broad literature in biblical and theological studies and cognate fields.
  2. Logos graduates will demonstrate the ability to use standard research tools and methods in biblical and theological studies.
  3. Logos graduates will demonstrate the ability to engage critically and productively, in English and Chinese, in biblical and theological studies.
  4. Logos graduates will demonstrate a thorough acquaintance with Western literature in their chosen area of concentration.
  5. Logos graduates will demonstrate sufficient acquaintance with Chinese language literature in their chosen area of concentration.
  6. Logos graduates will demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct research in their chosen area of concentration and to communicate the results effectively in a dissertation, usually written in Chinese.
  7. Logos graduates will demonstrate the ability to teach effectively in the Chinese and global context.
Admission Requirements
  1. Born-again Christian called to the ministry of theological education and/or theological research.
  2. A master-level degree in biblical studies or an equivalent from an ATS-accredited school (a Th.M. degree with an overall GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale is preferred).  Students without a Th.M. degree may apply if outstanding ability is demonstrated.  Individual cases will be considered by the PhD committee.
  3. Proof of English proficiency is required. Minimum GRE Verbal Reasoning score of 156, or TOEFL score of 575 / 90 (TOEFL IBT), taken within two years, is required.
  4. Three letters of recommendations.  A demonstration of maturity in personal and spiritual life, with recommendations coming from one church pastor and two seminary professors.
  5. A major research writing sample of 7,000-10,000 Chinese words (or 4,500-6,500 English words) written in the last three years.
  6. A personal history essay, with CV attached, and a 2-page future ministry goal.
  7. Submit a program study plan.
Biblical Language Requirements
  1. Biblical language requirement before admission: Hebrew I, II and Greek I, II. OT studies: Hebrew Exegesis I, II; NT studies: Greek Exegesis I, II. (Not counting towards graduation credits.)
  2. All applicants are required to take a language entrance exam on New Student Orientation Day. Exam for different research area: OT: Hebrew; NT: Greek.
  3. If the student fails the language entrance exam, he or she must retake the language exam at the end of the first semester. Students are required to pass the exam before they are allowed to move on to the next phase of the program.
Entrance Exam
  1. Biblical language requirements prior to admission: Hebrew I, II and Greek I, II. OT studies: Hebrew Exegesis I, II; NT studies: Greek Exegesis I, II. Students are to take the biblical language courses (not counting towards graduation credits) or the biblical language exams if a student has not completed the biblical language requirement prior to their admission.
  2. The biblical language requirement shall be completed within the first year before students are allowed to move on to the next phase of the program. Students who choose to take the exam may also audit Logos’ Hebrew Exegesis II or Greek Exegesis II course.
Program Content and Arrangement
  1. This program emphasizes academic research. All courses are designed toward this direction.
  2. Entire program consists of 42 credits (does not include prerequisite in biblical and research languages); 34 credits of courses, 8 credits of dissertation work.
  3. The entire program consists of 3 stages. In stage 1, students must complete 32 units of course work including basic studies (8 units), Old Testament (12 units), New Testament (12 units), higher education and teaching methods (2 units), and two semesters of faculty-mentor teaching practicum (0 unit).
  4. Students must fulfill biblical language requirement within the first year of the program prior to stage 2.
  5. After the completion of all coursework, students must pass four comprehensive exams in stage 2.
  6. In stage 3, students are required to complete the dissertation (on an Old Testament or a New Testament topic). (8 units)
Duration and Location
  1. Students are encouraged to maintain a full-time status.  At least fifty percent of courses must be taken at the main campus in El Monte, California.  Other courses can be taken online.  The student may work on the dissertation off-campus.
  2. The minimum duration of this program is 5 years and the maximum is 10 years (including the dissertation work). The maximum may be extended for one more year.
Graduation Requirements
  1. Complete 42 semester units (dissertation included) with a GPA 3.33 (B+ or 86.5-89.9%) above.
  2. Apply for comprehensive exams after completion of course work.
  3. Pass comprehensive exams before dissertation writing.
  4. Finish the dissertation and pass the oral defense of dissertation.
  5. Obtain dissertation approval signatures from all mentors.
  6. Obtain an academic clearance.

(For the details, please refer to the Doctor of Philosophy Student Handbook)