Ph.D. Program Frequently Asked Questons

Why has BBS chosen to have a non-residence program for its Ph.D. degree in Biblical Studies? Does that water down the quality of the educational experience?  
Is BBS accredited by the Association of Theological Schools?
What are the academic credentials of the Ph.D. faculty?
What are the ministry credentials of the Ph.D. faculty?
Why does the curriculum include a Ph.D. core?
Why does the curriculum include a Ministry Philosophy Core?
How can students share their Ph.D. level research with their peers in a web-enhanced, in-service program?
Does BBS help students set up a Professional Teaching Practicum?
What is the expected workload of each Ph.D. class?
How many years should a student expect to be in the program in order to earn a Ph.D. degree?
Are proficiency exams required in modern languages?

Why has BBS chosen to have a non-residence program for its Ph.D. degree in Biblical Studies? Does that water down the quality of the educational experience?  

BBS has consciously chosen to assist those many qualified individuals who are currently pastors, missionaries, and teachers at educational institutions who simply do not have the option of moving their families across country or around the world and leave their current ministry positions in order to pursue Ph.D. level education in Biblical Studies. The approach of interaction via the Internet for six weeks prior to a one-week campus module prepares for an intense on-campus week (internal residency) for each course. This one week on campus time with Ph.D. faculty has as much or more classroom contact time as similar Ph.D. courses in other seminaries. The six weeks of post-module interaction allow for further dialog between students and faculty as the standard research project is completed. The quality of the educational experience is not diminished in any way but is enhanced by the innovative format.

Is BBS accredited by the Association of Theological Schools?

BBC&S, the College, Graduate School, and Seminary, is fully accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 267.284.5000). Sometimes prospective students from other areas of the country or the world do not readily recognize the importance of this accreditation. Commonly referred to simply as Middle States, this regional accreditation agency is respected by governmental agencies as the highest possible accreditation available to any educational institution in this part of the United States. In addition to this accreditation, the BBS Ph.D. program is officially approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education after a rigorous examination by state officials during an on-campus visit. Our College has been accredited by the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges (AABC) which has recently changed its name to the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE).   This change is partly to facilitate the inclusion of accreditation for graduate-level seminaries. BBS is taking a leadership role in these changes and considers ABHE to be a more conservative alternative to ATS accreditation. While some features of ATS accreditation are attractive, such as availability of educational grants offered to minority students who attend ATS accredited schools, BBS would pursue ATS accreditation only for such purposes and not because it would be deemed necessary to enhance the quality of our educational product.

What are the academic credentials of the Ph.D. faculty?

The BBS Ph.D. faculty have received their doctorates from such major educational institutions as Dallas Theological Seminary, Grace Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL), and Central Baptist Seminary. Most of these men have been teaching for many years, some more than thirty years. They are published in various theological journals in their areas of expertise. In addition, the Seminary publishes it own journal semi-annually, The Journal of Ministry and Theology, thereby giving a forum for the faculty to publish research. The BBS faculty also speak regularly at professional societies such as the Evangelical Theological Society, Conservative Theological Society, Pre-Trib Study Group, and other professional and ministry forums.

What are the ministry credentials of the Ph.D. faculty?

Believing that ministry and theology go together, BBS values the local church and other ministries raised up by the Lord. All Ph.D. instructors have experience as pastors or missionaries and continue in vital ministry efforts for the cause of Christ.   The expectation is that all men who get a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from BBS will be teaching in pastoral ministry, Bible colleges, or seminaries where the training of pastors and church workers is a major feature. Therefore, the Ph.D. program at BBS is viewed in the context of ministry.

Why does the curriculum include a Ph.D. core?

The Ph.D. core courses are designed to provide a methodological basis for the student's entire experience in the BBS Ph.D. program. The three areas of Old Testament exegetical method, New Testament exegetical method, and theological method combine in three courses to ground the student's thinking and method when interpreting the Bible. Correct hermeneutics and theological method is a concern throughout every course offered.

Why does the curriculum include a Ministry Philosophy Core?

The Ministry Philosophy Core is designed to provide a forum combining ministry practitioners in the BBS D.Min. degree with the researchers in the BBS Ph.D. program. In this way, theology and ministry are brought together in the discussion of the areas of Christian leadership, missional concerns, and biblical centrality for ministry models.

How can students share their Ph.D. level research with their peers in a web-enhanced, in-service program?

It has been usual for Ph.D. students in traditional programs to present their research for each class to their instructor and classmates during the course of a semester. In light of the in-service, web-enhanced delivery system at BBS, this presents a challenge. While research the student performs during the External Residency A (pre-module six weeks) is presented during the Internal Residency (campus module), the entire research paper a student usually writes during the External Residency B (post-module six weeks) cannot be presented in that way. However, the research papers written by students are presented in courses called Interdisciplinary Seminars and Teaching Practicums.

Does BBS help students set up a Professional Teaching Practicum?

Every student must carry out the assignment of teaching the equivalent of a two-credit hour course at a post-secondary level at an approved educational site. While BBS is open to assisting the student in thinking through his options, the arrangement of the Professional Teaching Practicum is the responsibility of the student.

What is the expected workload of each Ph.D. class?

BBS Ph.D. students report that they spend an average of fifteen hours per week per course during the six weeks of the External Residency A. The Internal Residency module week consists of 28 hours of classroom contact time and 12 hours of directed library research. The External Residency B (post-module six weeks) workload is similar to the pre-module weeks while students finish their final research paper, usually of 40-50 pages in length. Ph.D. courses require on average about three thousand pages of reading.

How many years should a student expect to be in the program in order to earn a Ph.D. degree?

A student coming into the program with a M.Div. degree must complete 60 credit hours for the Ph.D. degree. If the program is pursued at a full-time pace (minimum of six courses per year), the student can complete coursework in around three years.   Depending on the student's progress on comprehensive exams and dissertation, the program can take from four to five years. Students coming into the program with a Th.M. degree must complete 37 credit hours (40 if a change of major from Th.M.).   Naturally, a student at a full pace can finish more quickly. Typically, since our program is designed to be in-service and men do not leave their ministry or vocational positions, progress is often at a slower pace. The student has nine years to finish the program.

Are proficiency exams required in modern languages?

There are no proficiency exams for modern languages in the BBS Ph.D. program.   Instead, the biblical languages are emphasized including skills assessments (entrance exams) for all majors. This is true of comprehensive exams which test translation skills in the biblical languages for all majors. This focus on biblical languages instead of modern languages, such as French and German, does not mean the program devalues the use of such languages in dissertation research. Consequently, at the dissertation level, a student may be required to do modern language studies if his research requires it. This determination is made in consultation with the student's dissertation advisor.