The Doctor of Philosophy

Foundations Stage

• PHD 9100 – PhD Program Orientation
• PHD 9101 – Introduction to Research and Writing
• GEN 0000 – Sexual Abuse Prevention & Response Training
• CQM 9010 – Integrative Colloquium I
• CQM 9020 – Integrative Colloquium II
• Foundations Stage Seminars: Select four seminars from the PhD specialization’s prescribed seminars.
• First Research Language
• THM 8600 – Th.M. Portfolio

Seminars

Below is a list of the prescribed seminars for this PhD specialization. Students must demonstrate proficiency in one research language before beginning their fifth seminar. Four seminars (16hrs) will be completed during the Foundations Stage of the PhD program of study and the remaining four seminars (16hrs) during the Advanced Stage. Seminars may be completed in any order, though IND 9400 is to be taken as one of the last seminars needed (either the 7th or 8th seminar).

Each PhD student will carry 3-5 counseling clients throughout their “residency” (seminar) semesters, and conduct at least 3 sessions per week. Supervision will be provided by their reading seminar professor(s) during year one and by their mentor in year two. In addition, counseling cases will be discussed in every seminar, as they pertain to the seminar topic. Students are encouraged to continue counseling and supervision through their mentor during the “candidacy” (dissertation) as much as is feasible.

• BCO 9100 – Advanced Counseling Methods and Skills
• BCO 9350 – Counseling and the Academy
• BCO 9605 – Biblical and Theological Analysis of Models of Christian Counseling
• BCO 9615 – Theological Studies for the Practice of Counseling
• BCO 9650 – Theological Anthropology for Counseling
• BCO 9900 – Current Issues in Counseling
• Select two ***9*** PhD Seminar Electives (must be approved by Major Professor and Office of Ph.D. Studies).

Advanced Stage

• PHD 9102 – Introduction to Teaching in Higher Education
• Advanced Stage Seminars: Select four seminars from the PhD specialization’s prescribed seminars.
• PHD 9501 – Mentor Directed Studies I
• PHD 9502 – Mentor Directed Studies II
• Second Research Language
• PHD 9800 – Written & Oral Comprehensive Exams

Candidate Stage

• PHD 9850 – PHD Prospectus
• PHD 9900 – PHD Dissertation
  • Students must register for three dissertation blocks for a total of 6 hours.
• PHD 9950 – PHD Dissertation Defense

In addition to the regular PhD requirements, students must have earned a master’s degree in biblical counseling from an accredited institution.

Students must have six hours of either Greek or Hebrew. However, students may apply for an exemption from having the biblical languages as a prerequisite for admission. To be granted this exemption, the applicant must submit a petition to the Office of PhD Studies affirming that they do not intend to use extensive biblical exegesis in the course of the research. Should the applicant’s research interests change in their course of study, the Office of PhD Studies reserves the right to require them to complete graduate-level study of either Greek or Hebrew before passing a prospectus.

While applicants may be exempt from the prerequisite biblical language requirement, they must still meet the minimum hour marks for admission-a minimum of 49 hours taken at the graduate level, and a minimum of 60 hours combined graduate and undergraduate coursework counted toward their admission requirement.