Doctor of Philosophy–Theological Studies
(PhD–TS)

STM/PhD–TS Year 1

The STM program is closely integrated with the PhD–TS program. The STM is a one-year residential program and is the same as the first year of the PhD–TS, which is also residential. Its purpose is to guide students to become competent theological researchers, including extensive use of the German language, which is essential at the STM and PhD–TS level. This one residential year (STM or first year of PhD–TS) includes:

• Intensive Theological German instruction. For ten weeks, with 30 hours of class per week, Theological German class prepares students to read German theological texts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Students who enter already knowing German may test out of this course.
• Theological German Readings. For one hour a week in the fall, winter, and spring quarters, students will meet with a professor to discuss the theology of significant German theological writings.
• Research Methodology and Pedagogy. In this seminar, students learn advanced techniques for research, writing, and teaching, with a course focus on historiography and Luther studies.
• Four other seminar classes. These seminars are taught by experts at the PhD level and cover a wide range of topics.
• Thesis (Research Methodology Practicum). The thesis, a theological investigation of moderate length (50–75 pages), gives students the opportunity to practice the research skills they have learned under the guidance of faculty.

STM graduates, if accepted into the PhD–TS program, have already completed the first year of this program.

PhD–TS Years 2 through 4

Years 2 and following of the PhD–TS may be pursued either residentially or by reduced residency. Students major in either Confessional Lutheran Studies or Biblical Studies. The requirements for this phase of the program include:

• Five Seminar Classes. These seminars are offered in both residential and hybrid formats. In hybrid courses, students complete half of the contact hours online and half on campus in a one-week, residential, intensive format. The seminars are taught by experts at the PhD level and cover a wide range of topics. Each of them will lead students toward mastery of the themes and major writings in a theological field. Reduced residency students may take up to one seminar course per quarter.
• Biblical Language Examination(s). Students in the Confessional Lutheran Studies major must pass an examination in either Biblical Greek or Biblical Hebrew. Students in the Biblical Studies major must pass examinations in Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew, and Biblical Aramaic. 
• Research Language Examination. All PhD–TS students will have already passed examinations in German. Students in the Confessional Lutheran Studies major must pass an examination in an additional research language that they will use for this dissertation research. This will usually be Latin. Students who do not have English as their native language may count English as their research language.
• Comprehensive Examinations. Students must pass examinations in specific theological areas depending on their major.
• Dissertation. The dissertation is the major research project (250–300 pages) and crowning achievement in the PhD–TS program.

Students select either Confessional Lutheran Studies or Biblical Studies as their major. The non-major field serves as a minor. 

REQUIRED COURSES – 12 HOURS

Research Methodology & Pedagogy

Advanced Exegetical Theology

Advanced Systematic Theology

Advanced Missiology

MAJOR AREA COURSES – 15 HOURS

MINOR AREA COURSES – 6 HOURS

ELECTIVE – 3 HOURS

LANGUAGE EXAMINATIONS (3)

Confessional Lutheran Studies: German, Latin, and Greek or Hebrew

Biblical Studies: German, Hebrew and Aramaic, and Greek

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS (3) – 12 HOURS

Confessional Lutheran Studies: Lutheran Confessions, Doctrine, Old Testament or New Testament, oral exam

Biblical Studies: Lutheran Confessions or Doctrine, Old Testament, New Testament, oral exam

DISSERTATION – 12 HOURS

Dissertation Proposal

Dissertation Writing I, II

Dissertation Defense

TOTAL – 60 HOURS

A PhD–TS graduate

• understands major matters related to his theological discipline from a confessional Lutheran perspective
• analyzes questions and formulates answers in his discipline through independent research and reflection
• contributes to his theological discipline through effective academic writing and research that is faithful to the Lutheran Confessions
• reads languages necessary to his theological discipline
• contributes an original major study to his theological discipline that increases theological knowledge in the Lutheran Church and the wider Christian community
• is competent to teach theology to others