Doctor of Philosophy (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 language and culture, 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 / 91 (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.
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
  1. This program emphasizes academic research. All courses are designed toward this focus.
  2. The entire program consists of 42 semester units (does not include prerequisite in biblical and research languages), 34 units of coursework, and 8 units of dissertation work.
  3. The entire program consists of 3 stages. In Stage 1, students must complete 34 units of course work including two foundation seminars (8 units), three Old Testament seminars (12 units), three New Testament seminars (12 units), a course in higher education and teaching methods (2 unit), and two semesters of the faculty-mentor teaching practicum (0 unit).
  4. Students must pass the biblical and research language exams before entering Stage 2.
  5. In Stage 2, students must pass four comprehensive exams.
  6. In Stage 3, students are required to complete the dissertation. (For details, see the curriculum chart.)
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.