Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2024 through summer 2025. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Language Competency
German Examination
Total Hours		0

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Ph.D. Core Courses
BIBL 900	Hermeneutics and History of Interpretation	3
NBST 910	Uses of the Old Testament in the New Testament 1	3
RTCH 900	Research Methods	3
RTCH 901	Teaching in Higher Education	3
Total Hours		12

¹

NBST 910 is Cross-listed with OBST 910 and OBST 910 may also fulfill this requirement

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Major Area of Focus Courses 1		18
Biblical Theology
Bible Elective 2
Bible Elective 2
Bible Elective 2
BIBL 993	Readings in Biblical Theology and Comprehensive Examination 3
Choose six hours from the following:
BIBL 910	Old Testament Theology
BIBL 915	New Testament Theology
BIBL 925	Theology of the Gospel
BIBL 968	Current Biblical and Theological Issues
BIBL 996	Special Topics in Biblical Theology
BIBL 997	Seminar in Biblical Theology
New Testament
NGRK 997	Reading Seminar in New Testament Greek Literature
NGRK 997	Reading Seminar in New Testament Greek Literature
NGRK 997	Reading Seminar in New Testament Greek Literature
NBST 993	Readings in New Testament and Comprehensive Examination 3
Choose six hours from the following:
NBST 900	Reading Seminar in Early Judaism and the Greco-Roman World
NBST 935	Theology of Paul
NBST 950	Special Topics in the New Testament
NBST 968	Current Biblical and Theological Issues
NBST 997	Seminar in New Testament
NGRK 997	Reading Seminar in New Testament Greek Literature
Old Testament
OTCL 997	Seminar in Old Testament Language
OTCL 997	Seminar in Old Testament Language
OTCL 997	Seminar in Old Testament Language
OBST 993	Readings in Old Testament and Comprehensive Examination 3
Choose six hours from the following:
OBST 900	Reading Seminar in Ancient Near Eastern History and Culture
OBST 922	The Theology of the Torah
OBST 950	Special Topics in the Old Testament
OBST 968	Current Biblical and Theological Issues
OBST 997	Seminar in Old Testament
OTCL 997	Seminar in Old Testament Language
Total Hours		18

¹

Choose one Major Area of Focus from the following: Biblical Theology, New Testament, or Old Testament. 

²

Must be a 900 level course.

³

Once the student completes 15 hours of the Major Area of Focus, they can be registered for the Major Area of Focus Directed Research and Comprehensive Examination course

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Minor Area of Focus Courses
Choose nine hours from one of the Areas of Focus listed in the Major Area of Focus section 1		9
Elective
Elective
Elective
Minor Area of Focus Directed Research & Comprehensive Examination 2		3
Total Hours		12

¹

Choose one Minor Area of Focus from the following: Biblical Studies, New Testament, or Old Testament. Minor Area of Focus must be different from the Major Area of Focus.

²

Once the student completes 9 hours of the Minor Area of Focus, they can be registered for the Minor Area of Focus Directed Research and Comprehensive Examination course

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Dissertation Courses 1
DISS 987	Dissertation Proposal and Research I	5
DISS 988	Dissertation Proposal and Research II	5
DISS 989	Dissertation Proposal and Research III	5
DISS 990	Dissertation Defense	0
Total Hours		15

¹

Once the student enters the Dissertation phase, he/she must maintain continuous enrollment (Fall, Spring and Summer semesters) until all degree requirements are completed.

All applicable prerequisites must be met

Graduation Requirements

• 57 total hours
• A maximum of 50% of a post-graduate and doctoral degree may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
• 3.0 GPA
• No grades lower than B- may be applied to the degree
• Successful completion of the Research Language Competencies
• Successful completion of Comprehensive Exams
• Degree must be completed within 7 years
• Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student's anticipated graduation date

Program Offered in Resident Format

Plan of Study Grid

First Semester		Hours
RTCH 900	Research Methods	3
BIBL 900	Hermeneutics and History of Interpretation	3
	Hours	6
Second Semester
NBST 910	Uses of the Old Testament in the New Testament 1	3
OBST 900	Reading Seminar in Ancient Near Eastern History and Culture	3
	Hours	6
Third Semester
NBST 900	Reading Seminar in Early Judaism and the Greco-Roman World	3
Major Area of Focus Elective 2		3
	Hours	6
Fourth Semester
Major Area of Focus Elective 2		3
Major Area of Focus Elective 2		3
	Hours	6
Fifth Semester
Major Area of Focus Elective 2		3
Minor Area of Focus Elective 3		3
	Hours	6
Sixth Semester
Minor Area of Focus Elective 3		3
RTCH 901	Teaching in Higher Education	3
	Hours	6
Seventh Semester
Major Area of Focus Elective 2		3
Minor Area of Focus Elective 3		3
	Hours	6
Eighth Semester
DISS 987	Dissertation Proposal and Research I	5
	Hours	5
Ninth Semester
DISS 988	Dissertation Proposal and Research II	5
	Hours	5
Tenth Semester
DISS 989	Dissertation Proposal and Research III	5
	Hours	5
Eleventh Semester
DISS 990	Dissertation Defense	0
	Hours	0
	Total Hours	57

¹

NBST 910 is cross-listed with OBST 910, and OBST 910 may also fulfill this requirement.

²

Refer to Degree Completion Plan for Major Area of Focus requirements.

³

Refer to Degree Completion Plan for Minor Area of Focus requirements.