Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD)
Get equipped to go the distance.
The Carroll PhD program is designed for men and women called by God into the vocation of theological scholarship in teaching, writing, and research. It also enables students to develop a sense of and a commitment to the vocations of research and teaching in theological ministerial practice.
Admission to this program is extended only to persons who have demonstrated the intellectual ability, preparation, and motivation for a scholarly vocation. Successful completion of this course of study requires the student to demonstrate: a comprehensive knowledge of a selected discipline of religious study; the capacity for critical thinking and evaluation; the competence to engage in original research and writing that advances theological understanding for the sake of church, academy, and society; a breadth of knowledge in other academic disciplines; and a sense of and a commitment to the vocation of theological scholarship in its dimensions of research, learning, teaching, devotion to God, and life-long stewardship.
PhD seminars are non-residential and engage student learning through a variety of delivery systems.
Structure of the PhD Program
Carroll’s Doctor of Philosophy degree is earned by the successful completion of semester-long seminars in the student’s academic field of study, directed study and readings seminars with a supervisor, student teaching, publishing, attending colloquies, completing a Comprehensive Written Exam, and the writing of a Prospectus and the Dissertation. To find out more, see the PhD Handbook.
Courses
Courses
| Course Title | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ADVANCED COMPETENCY SEMINARS | ||
| Advanced Research & Writing or Advanced Research Methods | ACRES—7201 or LMETH—7201 | 2 |
| Learning Systems & Teaching Skills | ACLNS—7201 | 2 |
| Professional Development | ACPDV—7201 | 2 |
| Institutional Systems | ACINS—7201 | 2 |
| ADVANCED DISCIPLINARY SEMINARS | ||
| Seminar | 2 | |
| Seminar | 2 | |
| Seminar | 2 | |
| ADVANCED INTERDISCIPLINARY SEMINARS | ||
| Seminar | 2 | |
| Seminar | 2 | |
| DIRECTED STUDY AND READING PROGRAMS | ||
| Basic Directed Study & RP I | 2 | |
| Basic Directed Study & RP II | 2 | |
| Intermediate Directed Study & RP II | 2 | |
| Advanced Directed Study & RP | 2 | |
| Intermediate Directed Study & RP I | 2 | |
| ADVANCED ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES | ||
| Colloquy I | 1/2 | |
| Colloquy II | 1/2 | |
| Colloquy III | 1/2 | |
| Colloquy IV | 1/2 | |
| Colloquy V | 1 | |
| Colloquy VI | 1 | |
| Guild Publication/Presentation | 1 | |
| Teaching Experience | 1 | |
| ADVANCED CAPSTONE EXPERIENCES | ||
| Written Examination | 1 | |
| Prospectus Preparation & Submission | 1 | |
| Dissertation and Oral Defense | 6 | |
| Total Units: | 42 |
Facts & Figures
Units Required
Avg years
%
Completion Rate
Greg Tomlin
Director
Dr. Tomlin is director of the Ph. D. Program at B. H. Carroll. He also leads the seminary’s institutional effectiveness efforts to maintain accreditation with ATS, ABHE, NCSARA, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). He previously served as the director of the Faith & Heritage Cluster. Dr. Tomlin was one of the founding administrators at the University of North Texas at Dallas and has worked with Liberty University’s Rawlings School of Divinity as a professor and faculty instructional mentor. Dr. Tomlin has also studied at Baylor University and at Boston University’s Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs (CURA). He has published more than 100 opinion editorials and 1,000 news stories on religion and public affairs. In 2023, Dr. Tomlin won the Norman W. Cox Award for Best Article Published in Baptist History and Heritage in 2022.
Phone: (972) 580-7600, Ext. 260
Email: phd.program@bhcarroll.edu
Interested in the Doctor of Philosophy program?
