Faculty - Princeton Theological Seminary

Doctor of Philosophy Program
The Doctor of Philosophy program is designed to prepare men and women for
independent scholarship in various dimensions of the study of religion and for
teaching in colleges and seminaries. Programs are offered in thirteen fields of
study, organized into five broad areas:
• Biblical Studies (Old Testament, New Testament)
• History and Ecumenics (Church History; History of Doctrine; Mission,
Ecumenics, and History of Religions)
• Theology (Systematic Theology, Philosophy and Theology, Christian Ethics,
History of Doctrine)
• Religion and Society
• Practical Theology (Christian Education, Pastoral Theology, Homiletics)
Individualized interdisciplinary programs are also sometimes permitted under the
direct administration of the Ph.D. Studies Committee.
A personal interview is not required as part of the Ph.D. admissions process, but
visitors are welcome. It is preferred that appointments be scheduled in advance
through the Ph.D. Studies Office during the months of October, November,
December, March, and April. The office may be contacted as follows:
Director
Ph.D. Studies Office
Princeton Theological Seminary
P.O. Box 821
Princeton, NJ 08542-0803
Telephone: 609.497.7818
Toll-free telephone number: 800.622.6767, ext. 7818
Fax: 609.497.7819
Email: phd@ptsem.edu
Admission Requirements
All applicants for admission to the Ph.D. program at Princeton Theological
Seminary must hold the degree of B.A., or its equivalent, from an approved college
or university, and ordinarily the degree of M.Div., or its equivalent, from an
approved theological institution. It is assumed that those who are enrolled in
M.Div. or equivalent programs when they apply for admission will have received
their degrees before matriculation.
The M.Div. degree is required of applicants in Practical Theology. In other areas, if
the M.Div. or its equivalent is absent, a minimum of two years of graduate study in
religion is required. Included in the two years must be a course in each of the following:
Old Testament; New Testament; systematic theology, philosophy, or ethics;
history of religions; a human science in relation to religion; and two courses in the
history of Christianity.
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