PhD in Theological Studies (Ph.D.)

Purpose

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

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).
  3. Proof of English proficiency is required. A minimum TOEFL score of 575 / 90 (TOEFL IBT) is required. (Submit TOEFL scores via our institutional code: 8548.) A minimum GRE Verbal Reasoning score of 156 is required. (Submit GRE scores via our institutional code: 7172.)
  4. Three letters of recommendations, with recommendations coming from one church pastor and two seminary professors. The letters must reflect the applicant’s personal and spiritual maturity.
  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.
  7. Submit a program study plan.
  8. The ability to understand Mandarin.
Biblical Language Requirements

1. All applicants must have completed Hebrew I, II and Greek I, II (12 credits) before admission. Applicants who plan to write a thesis mainly on the Old Testament (or systematic theology) must also complete Hebrew Exegesis I and II (6 credits). Applicants who plan to write a thesis mainly on the New Testament (or systematic theology) must also complete Greek Exegesis I and II (6 credits).
2. Applicants who have not yet completed the biblical language prerequisite courses will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee and will decide whether to allow the applicant to take the required courses after admission. (Remedial credits are not counted as graduation credits.)
3. Applicants who major in the Old Testament and New Testament studies must pass a Bible language test before the start of the semester (system students do not need to take this test): applicants who major in the Old Testament studies must take a Hebrew test; applicants who major in the New Testament studies must take a Greek test.
4. If you fail the test, you can retake it once before the end of the first semester. Students must pass the test before they can register for the next stage of courses.

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 focus.
    The entire program consists of 42 credits are required (34 credits of courses, 8 credits of thesis, does not include language prerequisite courses). Students who have not completed the 18-credit Bible language prerequisite course before admission must complete it within the first year.
  2. This program is divided into three stages. In the first stage, students need to complete 34 credits of courses: including 2 foundation courses (8 credits), 3 Old Testament seminars (12 credits), 3 New Testament seminars (12 credits), or systematic theology seminars (24 credits, which may include Bible courses) and higher education teaching methods and two semesters of teaching internship (2 credits).
  3. Old Testament and New Testament students must complete the original language requirement in the first year (systematic theology students do not have this requirement), and Old Testament and New Testament and system students must complete a research language test requirement (choose a language e.g., German, French, or Latin) in the second year before they can enter the second stage of study.
  4. In the second stage, students need to complete four integration exams (0 credits).
  5. In the third stage, students need to complete a thesis (8 credits).
  6. The thesis may choose a research topic based on the Old Testament or the New Testament.
Residence and Duration
  1. Students are encouraged to maintain a full-time status. All regular courses must be taken at the main campus in El Monte, California.  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. Successful completion of 42 semester units (dissertation included) with a GPA of 3.33 (B+ or 86.5 – 89.9%) or above.
  2. Passing of comprehensive exams before dissertation writing.
  3. Successful completion of the dissertation and defense of dissertation.
  4. Dissertation approval signatures from all mentors.
  5. Obtaining of academic clearance.