BJU Seminary Refreshes Doctoral Programs to Increase Accessibility

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Neal Cushman, dean of BJU Seminary

GREENVILLE, S.C. (April 25, 2023) – BJU Seminary is refreshing its doctor of philosophy and doctor of ministry programs to make advanced training more accessible for students immersed in ministry.

Beginning in May 2023, the PhD program will parallel the DMin program’s structure by becoming an entirely module-based program that primarily consists of four-credit courses. These hybrid courses feature one intensive seminar week of live lectures, discussions and student presentations—preceded and followed by approximately 13 weeks total of independent reading assignments, projects and papers, online discussions and peer reviews. With the modular approach, the PhD program maintains the same quality and largely the same curriculum while becoming more streamlined and flexible for students.

In-person attendance requirements are also being removed for PhD and DMin programs. Previously, in-person attendance during the seminar week was required for a select number of credits. Now, although in-person attendance is strongly encouraged, students can participate in every seminar week via livestream.

“We are thankful to enable students around the world to further their education without having to leave their ministries,” said Dr. Neal Cushman, dean of BJU Seminary. “Pastors and scholars need adequate training to effectively proclaim the Word, serve the church and advance the Gospel. We want to do everything we can to remove obstacles to that objective while maintaining the quality of our education.”

BJU Seminary offers three concentrations for its PhD in Theological Studies—biblical and systematic theology, New Testament interpretation and Old Testament interpretation—and three concentrations for its DMin—expository preaching, pastoral ministry and biblical counseling.

About BJU Seminary

BJU Seminary is a conservative graduate school of theology and ministry in Greenville, South Carolina. Part of Bob Jones University, BJU Seminary features a world-class faculty of full-time and adjunct professors recognized as specialists in fields ranging across theology, ministry, apologetics, counseling and missions — fulfilling a commitment to equip leaders to effectively proclaim the Word, serve the church and advance the Gospel.

The Seminary is pursuing a 500 x 5 x 5 strategic vision of putting 500 pastors on the path to the pulpit in the next five years — and every five years after that — through a 5P Plan of innovation and investment in the areas of program, partnerships, people, plant and profile.

BJU Seminary offers full-time, flexible graduate programs and certificates in areas including biblical counseling, theological studies, expository preaching, ministry studies, intercultural studies, biblical language and literature, Bible teaching, chaplaincy and master of divinity.

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