Purpose

The Ph.D. in Preaching program provides an opportunity for qualified students to engage in graduate work in the discipline of homiletics at the highest level. It provides preparation for research and teaching in undergraduate and graduate theological education and for the development of pastor-scholars. The program offers a rich study of preaching in relation to exegesis, history, theology, ecclesiology, homiletical structure and practice, and teaching.

Admission Requirements

Applicants will be required to have a Master of Divinity degree (or 72 hours of graduate credit from an accredited program) with a 3.50 or higher cumulative grade point average. Applicants will also be required to perform well on the Graduate Record Examination, not least on the verbal portion of the exam. Students must also demonstrate proficiency in Hebrew and Greek before admission and enrollment, along with one modern research language to be completed by the end of the first year.

The following items must be submitted/completed as part of your online application to Truett Theological Seminary and the Baylor University Graduate School:

1. Provide a statement of purpose of 7-10 pages (single-space) indicating rationale for pursuing graduate work in preaching.
2. Applicants will also be required to submit two sermon manuscripts and recordings of two preaching events—one from the Old Testament and the other from the New Testament.
3. Applicants will demonstrate their facility with the biblical languages by submitting exegetical papers for both sermons and by taking a language competency exam during the admissions process.
4. Applicants will provide a sample of scholarly writing, representing the applicant’s best research and writing. One example (not exceeding 25 pages double-spaced) of a recent work of scholarly writing that provides evidence of one’s capacity to think analytically and critically about homiletics.The following are examples of appropriate submissions:
   • Published article, book chapter, or excerpt from a published work.
   • Unpublished research paper.
   • A paper written in a graduate level course.
   • A 7-10 page paper on a topic (homiletics) of interest to the applicant that is written specifically as the writing sample for the application.
5. Applicants will provide a resume or Curriculum Vitae. Include a list of publications and professional presentations.
6. Applicants must have three to five years of full-time pastoral/preaching ministry.
7. Applicants will submit official transcripts of all degree work: undergraduate, masters degrees, and specifically the master of divinity degree (with a 3.50 or higher cumulative grade point average on a 4.00 scale) from an accredited seminary or university.
8. Applicants will provide three letters of recommendation. Two of the references should come from academic faculty who can attest to the applicant’s superior ability and potential. A third reference should come from the leadership of the congregation in which the applicant is serving, in support of Ph.D. studies. This can be from the board of deacons, elders, or other leadership body of the church. For full-time applicants, a letter from a member of the pastoral staff will be acceptable.
9. Selected students may be brought to campus for interviews in the final stage of selection.

Admission to the Ph.D. in Preaching represents a competitive process. The most qualified applicants will receive an invitation to enter the Ph.D. program. Admission to the Ph.D. in Preaching program does not rest on a single factor but on the strength of the entire application portfolio, which demonstrates readiness for research doctoral studies.

Language Requirements

Students will be required to have completed and demonstrated competence in both biblical languages, Hebrew and Greek. One foreign language must be completed before the end of the first year of the program. Until then, the student will be admitted on probation. It is advisable to complete the foreign language requirement prior to enrollment in the program. Students must provide transcripts of language course completion.

Student Responsibility

It is the student’s responsibility to become informed of and to observe all regulations and procedures for degree completion required by Truett Seminary. This includes strict attention to all internal deadlines, such as application, degree completion, registration, and graduation as well as satisfying all requirements leading to degree completion.

Admission Information

Ph.D. in Preaching Program
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Baylor University
One Bear Place #97126
Waco, TX 76798-7126

Telephone: 254-710-4677
Web: truettseminary.baylor.edu

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. in Preaching program has both residential and distance students. A Ph.D. in Preaching orientation will take place before the first seminar for each entering class.

Ph.D. in Preaching Course Sequence

Sequence for Cohorts 

Fall - Year 1
Preaching Course (September)
Preaching Course (November)

Spring - Year 1
Preaching Course (January)
Preaching Course (March)

Summer - Year 1
Preaching Course (May)
Preaching Course (July)

Fall - Year 2
Preaching Course (September)
Preaching Course (November)

Spring - Year 2
Preaching Course (January)
Preaching Course (March)

Summer - Year 2
Preaching Course (May or July)

Fall - Year 3
Preaching Course (September)
Preaching Course (November)

Spring - Year 3
Preaching Course (January)
Preaching Course (March)

Summer - Year 3
Preaching Course (May or July)

Fall - Year 4
Comprehensive Exams/Prospectus 

Spring - Year 4
Dissertation

Fall - Year 5
Dissertation

Spring - Year 5
Dissertation

Given the hybrid structure of the program, students will enroll in two one-week intensive courses in the fall and two in the spring. Students will take two courses in one summer and one course in the two other summers. All Ph.D. seminars involve pre-seminar and post-seminar work, in addition to the hours in the classroom during the seminar. After three full years of course work, students will take comprehensive exams in the fall of the fourth year and begin work on a prospectus. The remainder of the program will be devoted to the dissertation. Students will satisfactorily complete a dissertation in accordance with guidelines provided by the Ph.D. in Preaching and by the Graduate School.

Total hours required for the Ph.D. in Preaching is 57 hours beyond the master degree level.

Some students may live in proximity to other universities with graduate programs in English, Philosophy, Speech Communication, or Sociology. Students may take up to 9 hours in graduate programs external to Baylor University with the approval of the Director of the Ph.D. in Preaching program.

Prior to completion of their degree, all students will have a minimum of one article submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed scholarly journal. Upon admission, if not already, students will become members of the Evangelical Homiletics Society and must attend the yearly Annual Meeting.