Southern Seminary's professional doctoral degree programs are designed to be completed in 36 months.
In order to keep students on track throughout their program of study, we allow students to begin work on their final project or thesis as early as their first semester. The simultaneous completion of course work and research equips our students to immediately implement what they are learning in the classroom within their local ministry contexts.
Scroll down to see a semester by semester progression through our programs.
Semester 1
During their first semester, new students will take their first of four concentration seminars along with a program orientation course. But before they can get started, there are a number of items incoming students must attend to right away.
First Things First
Step 1: Receive registration details from the PDS office, and register for courses. PDS seminars, which are a week long, take place each July and January.
Step 2: Arrange on-campus lodging through the Legacy Center Hotel or Student housing.
On-campus amenities
While in Louisville
Step 3: Download course syllabi and begin pre-seminar course work.
Step 4: Pay a $1000 deposit the month before your first seminar (June/December).
Course Registration
Students accepted to begin the program in the Winter term will register for both Winter and Spring courses October 1 – November 30.
Students accepted to begin the program in the Summer term will register for both Summer and Fall courses March 1 – April 30.
Students should register for the following courses:
80610: Intro to Doctoral Research & Writing
8xxxx: Foundational Seminar One
(varies by concentration)
80710A: Contextualized Writing Seminar 1
(non-residency writing course)
Semester 2
During their second semester students will continue in their specialized area of study by taking the second of four concentration seminars. Students will also work toward graduation by beginning work on their project or thesis proposals through a class called Project Methodology. We’ve provided some helpful materials in the Writing Resources section for students to use throughout the writing process.
Register for Classes
October 1 – November 30: Winter/Spring terms
March 1 – April 30: Summer/Fall terms
Students should register for the following courses during their second semester:
80600: Project Methodology*
8xxxx: Foundational Seminar Two
80710B: Contextualized Writing Seminar 2
*Monday – Friday writing course, offered the week before or after the student’s foundational seminar. Attendance is required.
Resources for Doctoral Writing
As students prepare to take Project Methodology and officially begin the writing process, there are a number of resources available to them. Please visit our Professional Doctoral Studies Writing Resources page to find materials that will prove helpful throughout the project or thesis writing process.
Semester 3
During semester three, students will focus their efforts on further research and writing as it pertains to their specific ministry research project or thesis while completing their third of four concentration seminars.
Register for Classes
October 1 – November 30: Winter/Spring terms
March 1 – April 30: Summer/Fall terms
Students should register for the following courses during their third semester:
8xxxx: Foundational Seminar Three
80710C: Contextualized Writing Seminar 3
Semester 4
During semester four, students will finish the research portion of their ministry research project while completing their final foundational seminar. Students will also submit their Ethics Forms to the PDS office. Our goal is that the student would be poised for project implementation by the end of this semester.
Register for Classes
October 1 – November 30: Winter/Spring terms
March 1 – April 30: Summer/Fall terms
Students should register for the following courses during their fourth semester:
8xxxx: Foundational Seminar Four
80710D: Contextualized Writing Seminar 4
Semester 5
During the fifth semester, students will work with their faculty supervisor to prepare for graduation. Doctor of Educational Ministry students will also complete the first of two educational seminars required as part of their program of study.
Register for Classes
October 1 – November 30: Winter/Spring terms
March 1 – April 30: Summer/Fall terms
D.Min. students — Register for 80700: Ministry Research Project and Writing
Continue working with faculty supervisor to:
- implement and evaluate ministry research project OR
- complete research thesis
D.Ed.Min. students – Register for 80853: Ministry Research Project and Writing
PLUS the first of two educational seminars:
80950 WW: Applied Empirical Research OR
80960 WW: Foundations of Teaching
Continue working with faculty supervisor to:
- implement and evaluate ministry research project OR
- complete research thesis
Semester 6
During the final semester students will work with their faculty supervisor and defense committee to put the finishing touches on their ministry research project or thesis. Doctor of Educational Ministry students will also take the second of two educational seminars to finish out their coursework.
Register for Classes
October 1 – November 30: Winter/Spring terms
March 1 – April 30: Summer/Fall terms
D.Min. students – Register for 80700: Ministry Research Project and Writing
Continue working with faculty supervisor to:
- implement and evaluate ministry research project OR
- complete research thesis
D.Ed.Min. students – Register for 80853: Ministry Research Project and Writing
PLUS the second of two educational seminars:
80950 WW: Applied Empirical Research OR
80960 WW: Foundations of Teaching
Continue working with faculty supervisor to:
- implement and evaluate ministry research project OR
- complete research thesis
Student Forms
Request for Interrupted Status
- NOTE: See the PDS Interrupted Status Policy prior to applying for IS.
Guidelines for Graduation
Students preparing for graduation will work with the Professional Doctoral Studies office to:
-
- Submit graduation application through your my.sbts.edu account
- September 15 – Winter graduation
- February 15 – Spring graduation
- Submit a pdf version of the completed project or thesis to the PDS office via email (dmin@sbts.edu)
- Schedule defense date with the PDS Office
- Submit for a defense draft style reading
- Make changes requested by style reader and committee
- Make digital submission for SBTS library database
Deadlines for Graduation
The student’s defense drafts must be received by the PDS office by the following dates:
- Winter graduation – September 1
- Spring graduation – February 1
Contact Us
Please direct any questions to the Professional Doctoral Studies Office at:
Phone (toll-free): (800) 626-5525 x4113
Phone (local): (502) 897-4113
E-mail: dmin@sbts.edu