DOCTORAL STUDIES
PREPARE HERE. serve anywhere.
Prepare Here. Serve Anywhere.
NEW ORLEANS BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY prepares students to walk with Christ, proclaim His truth, and fulfill His mission. This singular mission drives everything we do here in New Orleans. Within this statement there are four major principles.
First, we are a people called by God to be servants, taking the towel and the basin to serve the broken and marginalized of this world. If we are anything as Christians, we are servants who follow the example of Christ who modeled this so perfectly (Mark 10:43-45). Here at NOBTS, we will cultivate that disposition and posture within our hearts.
Second, we want to cultivate a deep devotional life within our faculty and students. The work of ministry is difficult and cannot be done in our own power or wisdom. We deal with broken people and encounter problems at every step of the work. If we are going to make a difference for Christ, we need the Lord to show up with us in our work and bless our labor. Therefore, we must be a people that walk with God and live a life of genuine devotion.
Third, we will cultivate an environment where Gospel proclamation is encouraged and expected. Whether in churches, on street corners, at lunch tables with friends, or in counseling sessions with those in need, we train our students to share the love of Christ so that others may experience the life-giving power that is only found in Him.
Fourth, and finally, we will cultivate an environment where students are empowered to carry out the mission of Christ. We will train ministers who pastor, revitalize, and plant the churches of the SBC. We will also train missionaries that go to the nations where the church does not yet exist. We will be a people that forsake our own fame and opportunity for the sake of His coming Kingdom.
This will be our work, our passion, and our mission. I invite you to join us.
In the pursuit of doctoral work, you will be challenged in an academic context in ways you have not been before now. In my own doctoral work at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and the University of Birmingham in the UK, I pursued topics that challenged and excited me. I found my doctoral work to be a spiritually rewarding exercise that equipped me for an academic context and the pastoral setting. I encourage anyone interested in doctoral studies to consider the work at hand as a spiritual exercise and a challenge like no other.
Come and join us in all that God is doing at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Jamie Dew President
PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary PhD, University of Birmingham, UK
ALL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS AND THROUGH DISTANCE LEARNING
RESEARCH DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY degree is the highest academic degree awarded at NOBTS. A primary goal of the program is to prepare candidates for a vocation in higher education, Christian ministries, and denominational agencies.
Classes follow a graduate seminar format where students present research and engage in dialogue. In this setting, students are led to sharpen research and critical thinking skills.
Schedules range from weekly seminars to weekend block formats both for on-campus and distance students.
A COMMUNITY OF SCHOLARS
Our faculty and PhD students are a close-knit academic community committed to guiding and shaping the next generation of Chrisitan scholars and leaders. Students are encouraged to join the faculty in contributing to academia by presenting their research for peer review at professional societies, and through publication. Each student studies with a faculty supervisor from their first semester in the program through their dissertation.
PROGRAM LENGTH
The PhD is a 63-hour degree. Students study at a pace that fits their research interests and needs. The program can be completed in 3.5 - 7 years.
PHD MAJORS
BIBLICAL STUDIES:
OLD TESTAMENT
NEW TESTAMENT
BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
THEOLOGICAL STUDIES:
THEOLOGY
CHRISTIAN ETHICS
CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS
PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
COUNSELING:
COUNSELOR EDUCATION AND SUPERVISION
CHURCH MINISTRY:
MISSIOLOGY
EVANGELISM
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
BIBLICAL EXPOSITION
PROGRAM INFORMATION CONTINUED
“At New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, women are welcome to take any degree program we have. If you sense a specific call to minister to women, we offer several degree options customized specifically for this ministry calling.”
–Dr. Emily Dean, Assistant Professor of Ministry to Women
The NOBTS Society for Women in Scholarship is an academic society that brings together current doctoral and graduate students as well as women faculty, alumni, and friends of the NOBTS academic community to develop academic gifts, strengthen scholarly practices, and promote contributions to the academy.
PROFESSIONAL DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
The Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Educational Ministry degrees are professional degrees designed to produce a high level of excellence in the practice of ministry and in a wide variety of specializations. Seminars are application-oriented and offered in block formats that allow students to remain in their ministry settings. These degrees require substantial ministry experience. FOR MORE INFORMATION: VISIT www.nobts.edu/cme EMAIL doctoraladmissions@nobts.edu OR SCAN THE QR CODE
Flexible
Courses are offered year-round. Workshops are 2-4 days in length. Seminars are 3 days in length. These can be taken on campus or through video conferencing.
Practical
Every seminar is designed to reflect the needs of the church or other Christian ministries. Students are challenged in each class to generate strategies relevant to their personal ministry setting and apply them to their local context.
Transformational
Mentoring from ministry practitioners and interaction with fellow students creates an atmosphere that promotes growth as leaders and educators. Your church may also experience spiritual renewal as you journey through the doctoral program.
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY
The Doctor of Ministry is a professional degree providing qualified students the opportunity to achieve a high level of excellence in the practice of ministry. The DMin is a 36-hour doctoral degree. Students who hold an MDiv may qualify for advanced standing.
DOCTOR OF EDUCATIONAL MINISTRY
The Doctor of Educational Ministry is a professional degree providing qualified students the opportunity to achieve a high level of excellence in the practice of educational ministry. The DEdMin is a 36-hour degree. Students with a master’s degree in Christian education may qualify for advanced standing.
NOBTS PREPARES SERVANTS
PROCLAIM HIS TRUTH, AND
SERVANTS
SERVANTHOOD
Christ calls us to servanthood. With His attitude as our model, we strive to set pride and personal gain aside and instead look for opportunities to put others first.
DEVOTION
Our passion is to follow Christ. Because He alone is worthy of devotion and because we are helpless without Him, our goal is to follow Him with abandon.
PROCLAMATION
Doctrine and theology matter. Believing scripture is God’s word and that Truth is found within, we carefully examine the scriptures knowing prayerful study is an act of worship.
MISSION
Advancing God’s kingdom is our goal. Whether at home or abroad, we desire to take the gospel to the darkest places and shine the light of Jesus, and then watch as God unfolds His kingdom.
PREPARE HERE. SERVE ANYWHERE.
DOCTOR OF EDUCATON
THE DOCTOR OF EDUCATION (EdD) degree is a research-based doctoral degree designed for individuals who desire to serve as Christian and community college teachers, private school headmasters and teachers, or ministry practitioners with a desire to teach.
Three Academic Majors
Prepare for a variety of vocations in a variety of settings: TEACHING/ PEDAGOGY
MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
church, denominational, & community ministries
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Christian schools, colleges, & universities classroom instructors & curriculum coordinators
Distance Learning
The EdD can be completed on campus or at a distance via video conferencing.
Admissions Requirements
The EdD equips leaders, educators, and ministers to succeed in a variety of professional and ministry settings.
Applicants who hold a master’s degree in fields inside and outside of theological education may qualify for entrance to the EdD.
I’m so thankful for the training I received in my Doctorate of Education program. The seminars, professors, and dissertation research prepared me in countless ways for what I do now! Learning about traditional pedagogy to best practices from a biblical worldview, this program will sharpen and equip you as you disciple and educate others. I highly recommend the Ed.D for anyone in the field of education!
-Dr. Tara Dew, EdD. President’s Wife, Adjunct Professor of Ministry to Women Director of Thrive
DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS IN CHURCH MUSIC
The Doctor of Musical Arts is a terminal degree designed to equip students with knowledge, attitudes, and skills that may be applied in research, performance, teaching, ministry, and denominational leadership in the field of church music. Students choose either a Worship/Hymnology concentration or an Applied (piano, organ, voice, composition, conducting) concentration. Both concentrations are research degrees, but the Worship/Hymnology path is heavier in research while the Applied path requires three recitals along the way – the final one being a lecture recital centered around the student’s particular area of research. Applied students must be local so they can attend weekly lessons, but Worship/Hymnology students do not need to relocate.
The degree is presented in a “modular” format. Students complete assigned research throughout the semester, then attend seminars on the New Orleans campus three times that semester to present their work in the classroom setting. Students are on campus for three days each time they come (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). Of the three modules each semester, students are allowed to attend ONE of those via video conferencing.
55 HOURS | 3.5 - 5 YEARS
Degree Requirements and Prerequisites:
-BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN MUSIC
-MASTER OF MUSIC IN CHURCH MUSIC
For students whose master’s degree is in music, but not church music, at least 2 pre-req courses would be required:
• Systematic Theology I or II;
• Congregational Song (hymnology)
Both of these can be taken online and must be passed within the first 12 months of conditional entrance to the DMA. They are a necessary foundation for success in DMA courses. All core DMA courses assume the student has a strong foundation in these areas.
VISITING CAMPUS
PREVIEW DAYS
Want to know what life at NOBTS is like? We invite you to explore our campus with students from across the nation at one of our Campus Previews. You will experience firsthand what our school and the city of New Orleans have to offer. See what events are coming soon at nobts.edu/preview.
DAILY TOURS
Can’t make one of our Previews or need a personalized visit schedule? Make an appointment to visit the campus today! Tours are available Monday through Friday by appointment. Find out more at nobts.edu/visit
CAMPUS HOUSING
NOBTS has housing options for single students, married couples, and families. Living on campus is a great option because it is safe, affordable, and convenient. See housing options and current prices at nobts.edu/housing
CAMPUS FACILITIES
Our student center and coffee shop are popular locations to spend time with professors and other students. If you’re looking for a quieter place to study, you can try the largest theological library in the Gulf Coast, located right in the heart of the campus! With our gym, swimming pool, playgrounds, walking tracks and large fields for sports, staying active has never been more fun!
LOCAL CHURCHES
Although a chapel service is provided twice a week at NOBTS, life at NOBTS would be incomplete without our vibrant church families. Students are encouraged to plant roots in local churches and look for ways to serve the Kingdom as they study. Many churches offer volunteer, part-time, and paid positions as well.
COUNSELING DEGREE
The PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision is designed to offer advanced preparation in counselor education and supervision from a distinctly Christian perspective. Residency in New Orleans is not required for the PhD programs. Seminars meet on a modified schedule three times per semester and are available in person or via synchronous video conferencing. Typical meetings are Friday-Saturday. Some students attend in-person, some attend entirely virtually, and many students choose to split their attendance between in-person and videoconferencing to enhance their experience. The choice is yours! Our PhD graduates serve as professors in higher education institutions, as directors and administrators of state-level denominational counseling organizations, as administrators and counselors in international missions, as clinicians and leaders in counseling agencies and practices, and as staff members of churches large and small.
Doctor of Philosophy
Counselor Education and Supervision
The PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision received CACREP accreditation on February 22, 2023.
CACREP accreditation means the program has been evaluated and meets standards set by the profession.
CACREP-accredited programs meet the required educational training for counseling licensure in most states.
NOBTS offers a number of scholarships for full-time and part-time students. Financial aid opportunities are also available for on-campus, extension center, and online students. Our scholarships are need-based, making financial assistance readily available to many of our
NOBTS offers a limited number of doctoral fellowships for students in the PhD program. Prospective stuents can inquire about the availablity of PhD fellowships by contacting the , NOBTS students may be eligible for
NOBTS offers a variety of missionary scholarships to IMB and NAMB missionaries, their
The Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund is a generous external grant available to qualifying Baptist students who are residents of the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee or West Virginia. This grant is specifically designated toward students who are enrolled in ministry-related degree programs, including the Master of Divinity.
NEW ORLEANS IS ONE OF THE MOST DYNAMIC AND BEAUTIFUL CITIES IN THE WORLD.
FOUNDED IN 1718, our city is famous for its great food, unique culture, rich history, and vibrant communities.
As a major port city, New Orleans is home to people from across the globe, but only a small minority identify as evangelical Christians. New Orleans is an incredible place to learn and do ministry. The unique setting provides ample opportunity to gain realworld experience as you study. If you can learn to minister to those with differing worldviews and diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds here, you will be prepared for wherever God takes you next.
YOUR NEXT STEPS
NEXT STEPS FOR APPLICATION
When you’re ready for the next step in your Prepare Here journey, we can help you take it with confidence. We invite you to take the following steps or simply contact Admissions at 504-282-4455.
I am glad you are considering studying at NOBTS! We have a gifted faculty, are based in a missional city, and have the best students in the world. As you think about your next steps, I encourage you to focus on being faithful to the Lord's calling. If God is calling you to NOBTS, then apply now and join a community of servants pursuing devotion, proclamation, and mission!
- Dr. Cory Barnes Dean of Graduate Studies Associate Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew
APPLY NOW
Ready to start your Prepare Here journey? Scan the QR code or go to nobts.edu/apply and create an account to begin the application process. After you submit the initial form and pay your application fee, you’ll need to provide additional information and supporting documents.