Degree Prerequisites

An applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by an agency related to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The master’s-level requirements (including languages, research statistics, and graduate hours in the respective majors) are noted below:

Biblical Exposition

• The MDiv degree, MA degree, or the equivalent in the appropriate area of study from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Equivalency will be based on the courses included in the master’s degree program. 
• 12 credit hours of Preaching courses
• 6 credit hours of either Greek or Hebrew

Biblical Theology

• The MDiv degree, MA degree, or the equivalent in the area of Biblical studies from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Equivalency will be based on the courses included in the master’s degree program. 
• 6 credit hours of upper-level Greek exegesis courses
• 6 credit hours of upper-level Hebrew exegesis courses
• Proficiency in French, German, or Latin (by completing 9 credit hours, passing a proficiency exam, or earning a certificate from a recognized program by the beginning of your first PhD seminar)

Christian Apologetics

• The MDiv degree, MA degree, or the equivalent in Apologetics or Christian Thought from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Equivalency will be based on the courses included in the master’s degree program.
• 6 credit hours of Apologetics 
• 3 credit hours of Logic (by the end of your first year in the PhD)
• Proficiency in Greek or Hebrew (by earning an MA or MDiv which required the language, or by completing a certificate from a recognized program)

Christian Education

• The MDiv degree in Christian Education, MACE degree, or the equivalent in the appropriate area of study from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Equivalency will be based on the courses included in the master’s degree program. 
• 12 credit hours of Christian Education
• 6 credit hours of Research Statistics 

Christian Ethics

• The MDiv degree, MA degree, or the equivalent in Ethics, Theology, or Christian Thought from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Equivalency will be based on the courses included in the master’s degree program.
• 6 credit hours of Ethics 
• Proficiency in Greek and Hebrew (by earning an MA or MDiv which required the language, or by completing a certificate from a recognized program)

Christian Leadership

• The MDiv degree, MA degree, or the equivalent in the appropriate area of study from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Equivalency will be based on the courses included in the master’s degree program. 
• 12 credit hours in Christian Leadership
• 6 credit hours of Greek, Hebrew, Research Statistics, or a research language (French, German, or Latin)

Counselor Education and Supervision

• The MDiv degree with a specialization in either Marriage and Family Counseling or Clinical Mental Health, or a master's degree in a mental health field from a CACREP-accredited or CACREP-equivalent program (other mental health master's degrees will be considered on a case-by-case basis). 
• Biblical studies, theology, and practical ministry courses comparable to those included in the NOBTS MA in Counseling. At a minimum, three credit hours in each of the following areas from an accredited theological institution: New Testament, Old Testament, Systematic Theology (or its equivalent), and Practical Ministry (such as missions, evangelism, chaplaincy, or other practical ministry). These master's hours may be satisfied prior to entry or concurrently with the first year of doctoral work.
• State licensure in a counseling field (LPC, LMFT, or equivalent) OR the applicant must be provisionally licensed by a state licensing board.
• 3 credit hours of Research Statistics 

Evangelism

• The MDiv degree, MA degree, or the equivalent in the appropriate area of study from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Equivalency will be based on the courses included in the master’s degree program.
• 12 credit hours in Evangelism 
• 6 credit hours of Greek, Hebrew, Research Statistics, or a research language (French, German, or Latin)

Missiology

• The MDiv degree, MA degree, or the equivalent in the appropriate area of study from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Equivalency will be based on the courses included in the master’s degree program.
• 12 credit hours of Missiology
• 6 credit hours of either Greek or Hebrew
• Proficiency in French, German, Latin or Spanish (by completing 9 credit hours, passing a proficiency exam, or earning a certificate from a recognized program)

New Testament

• The MDiv degree, MA degree, or the equivalent in the area of Biblical studies from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Equivalency will be based on the courses included in the master’s degree program.
• 12 credit hours of upper-level biblical language courses (with at least 9 credit hours in Greek and 3 credit hours in Hebrew)
• Proficiency in German or Latin (by completing 9 credit hours, passing a proficiency exam, or earning a certificate from a recognized program by the beginning of your first PhD seminar)

Old Testament

• The MDiv degree, MA degree, or the equivalent in the area of Biblical studies from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Equivalency will be based on the courses included in the master’s degree program.
• 12 credit hours of upper-level biblical language courses (with at least 9 credit hours in Hebrew and 3 credit hours in Greek)
• Proficiency in German (by completing 9 credit hours, passing a proficiency exam, or earning a certificate from a recognized program by the beginning of your first PhD seminar)

Philosophy of Religion

• The MDiv degree, MA degree, or the equivalent in Philosophy or Christian Thought from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Equivalency will be based on the courses included in the master’s degree program.
• 6 credit hours of Philosophy
• Proficiency in Greek (by earning an MA or MDiv which required the language, or by completing a certificate from a recognized program)
• 3 credit hours of Logic (by the end of your first year in the PhD)

Theology and Theology with a Concentration in Church History

• The MDiv degree, MA degree, or the equivalent in Theology or Christian Thought from a theological institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Equivalency will be based on the courses included in the master’s degree program.
• 6 credit hours of Theology
• Proficiency in Greek and Hebrew (by earning an MA or MDiv which required the language, or by completing a certificate from a recognized program)
• Proficiency in German, Latin, or French (by completing 9 credit hours, passing a proficiency exam, or earning a certificate from a recognized program by the end of your first year in the PhD)

For all majors, course credits that are to be considered for meeting nonbiblical language or research statistics and methods requirements may not be more than 7 years old. The divisions will consider requests concerning unique circumstances. In addition to transcripted course credits, competency in a nonbiblical language can be verified by testing arranged through the Office of Research Doctoral Programs. For continuing education courses that prepare students to take the German and Latin tests, contact Providence Learning Center.

Potential applicants should review carefully all degree admission requirements before submitting the following application materials.

• Online Application with all supporting documents (Statement of Purpose and Call, Church Statement of Affirmation, Proof of Immunization Form, 4 reference evaluations, criminal background check, a secured faculty supervisor, and Transfer of Credit Request Form if applicable)
• Application fee
• Verification of GRE verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores
• Official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and seminaries
• Research paper from a master’s level course related to the applicant’s choice of major
• International students will require extra supplemental items outlined in the “International Students’ section of the catalog

Grade Point Average and Graduate Record Examination

The grade point average (GPA) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal and analytical writing scores will be considered on the following five-point sliding scale. For the application to be accepted, the individual must have a combined score of "0" or higher on the three components.

Although not included in the above calculation, the quantitative score will be considered in the overall evaluation of the applicant. The institutional code for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is 6472. Official GRE score reports must be at the Office of Research Doctoral Programs by September 1 for January applications and February 1 for August applications. GRE scores can be no older than 5 years. See the GRE site for information on the new option to test at home!

Entrance Exams

Entrance examinations are required for all majors except Counselor Education and Supervision. Applicants should contact the chairperson of the division for information concerning the entrance examination as well as any other division requirements.

Research Paper

The applicant must submit a research paper from the master’s program for review by the division, preferably in the major area. Applicants for the Division of Theological and Historical Studies must submit a paper in a T&H discipline. If no paper is available, the applicant should contact the Associate Dean of Research Doctoral Programs for guidance.

Division Interview

Applicants are required to come to campus for an interview with the division faculty related to the proposed area of major study. The interview focuses on one’s conversion experience, call to ministry, family relationships, reasons for pursuing the doctoral degree, interests and reading in the proposed field of study, and other concerns that may enable the faculty to know the applicant better and to ascertain his or her potential for advanced studies.

Background Check

Applicants must complete a Criminal Background Check by following the link below, and results must be available before the Doctoral Admissions Committee can consider the applicant.  The $29.95 fee is payable online to CastleBranch. The link is provided in your application portal.

The full details about our application process are available in the PhD Section of our Catalog.