Description of PhD Program

The Religion PhD program provides an opportunity for qualified students to do graduate work in this discipline at the highest level and in the university setting. It provides preparation for research and teaching in graduate theological education and in the college and university setting where religion is taught as one of the liberal arts and in relation to other such disciplines, particularly the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. The Baylor program offers work in four areas: New Testament, Old Testament, Historical Studies, and Theological/Bioethical Studies (Historical Theology, Systematic Theology, Christian Ethics, Contemporary Theology, Religion and Literature, and Bioethics). 

Jump to:

I. Course Work
II. Modern Foreign Languages
III. Preliminary Examinations
IV. Ph.D. Candidacy
V. Teaching Colloquy
VI. Dissertation
VII. Calendar for Ph.D. Program Completion

I. Course Work

For the Ph.D. in religion, a total of forty-five (45) hours is required; nine (9) dissertation hours and thirty-six (36) semester hours (minimum) as indicated here:

• Major: Twenty-four (24) semester hours (minimum) in the field declared as the area of concentration (Old Testament, New Testament, Historical Studies, Theological Studies). All courses in the major must be at the 5000 level.
• Elective Courses: A total of nine (9) semester hours of graduate courses within the Religion Department (but not in major or cognate field) or graduate courses in other departments. Electives should be chosen in consultation with area faculty, to enhance the research or teaching interests of the student.
• REL 5398: Theories of Religion

II. Foreign Languages

The requirement of foreign languages as research tools is related to the major field of study and to research needs. The basic requirement is intermediate proficiency in two foreign languages, one of which must be attained prior to the fall semester. Methods for achieving the proficiency are described in the Graduate School Catalog. The following statements indicate the basic policy in each area:

• Old Testament and New Testament: The requirement is German and French. The area faculty may approve the substitution of another language for French if the student's research needs justify the substitution.
• Historical Studies: Students concentrating in Historical Studies will achieve intermediate proficiency in two languages, other than English, necessary to their chosen field of research. The two languages will be negotiated with Historical Studies Faculty and conveyed to the Office of Graduate Studies.

• Theological Studies: The requirement is German and French. The area faculty may approve the substitution of another language for French if the student's research needs justify the substitution.

  For the Bioethics track, students are required to achieve intermediate proficiency in two languages, other than English, necessary for their chosen field of research. The two languages will be negotiated with Theology and Ethics Faculty and conveyed to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Additional language study may be required in relation to research needs. One language must be completed before the beginning of course work in the fall semester, and the faculty recommends that all language work be completed in summer sessions. All foreign language requirements must be completed before students begin the last twenty-four semester hours of course work.

III. Qualifying Examinations

Doctoral students will pass qualifying events at the completion of course work as laid out by the faculty in each area. Each area will distribute their expectations to students at new student orientation.

IV. Ph.D. Candidacy

Admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. with a major in religion requires 1) satisfaction of foreign language requirements; 2) satisfactory completion of qualifying examinations; 3) approval of student's dissertation prospectus by Religion Graduate Faculty; and 4) certification by the Dean of the Graduate School.

V. Teaching Colloquy

The purpose of the teaching colloquy is to help students 1) gain insights into the intellectual development of students; 2) learn practical approaches to classroom instruction of REL 1310 and 1350; 3) receive exposure to modern theories of teaching and learning.

Graduate Ph.D. students normally receive the opportunity to teach courses within the religion department. Students wishing to teach must meet the following requirements:

1. Successful completion of qualifying examinations
2. Current enrollment or completion of REL 5399 (Teaching Colloquy)
3. Attendance of mentoring sessions with appointed supervisor in their first semester of teaching.

VI. Dissertation

The final stage in the doctoral work is the satisfactory completion of a dissertation in accordance with guidelines provided by the Department and by the Graduate School.

VII. Calendar for Ph.D. Program Completion