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.

See Admission Requirements.

Doctoral Programs Handbook

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
Course TitleCourse NumberCredits
ADVANCED COMPETENCY SEMINARS
Advanced Research & Writing or Advanced Research MethodsACRES—7201 or LMETH—72012
Learning Systems & Teaching SkillsACLNS—72012
Professional DevelopmentACPDV—72012
Institutional SystemsACINS—72012
ADVANCED DISCIPLINARY SEMINARS
Seminar2
Seminar2
Seminar2
ADVANCED INTERDISCIPLINARY SEMINARS
Seminar2
Seminar2
DIRECTED STUDY AND READING PROGRAMS
Basic Directed Study & RP I2
Basic Directed Study & RP II2
Intermediate Directed Study & RP II2
Advanced Directed Study & RP2
Intermediate Directed Study & RP I2
ADVANCED ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES
Colloquy I1/2
Colloquy II1/2
Colloquy III1/2
Colloquy IV1/2
Colloquy V1
Colloquy VI1
Guild Publication/Presentation1
Teaching Experience1
ADVANCED CAPSTONE EXPERIENCES
Written Examination1
Prospectus Preparation & Submission1
Dissertation and Oral Defense6
Total Units:42

Facts & Figures

Units Required

Avg years

%

Completion Rate

Greg Tomlin

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?

What I value most about Carroll’s professors is the determination to equip men and women to serve in Christian Ministry without neglecting worship and fellowship, either face-to-face or virtually. B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary is a great place to enhance your theological skills as well as enlighten your relationship with God and others.

I readily benefitted at Carroll from the steadfast commitment to the Word of God, professors who love the Lord, and classmates walking this road into ministry alongside me.

Carroll Theological Seminary is not only a superb theological education (and it is that)—but it is also an immersion into Christian ministry. Jesus said, “As you go, become disciple-makers” (Matt. 28: 19-20). Carroll is about developing the best “disciple-makers” possible.