Program Objective

The program offers Chinese-speaking pastors an opportunity for further education by doing academic research, so as to train talent for theological education and research field for the Chinese Church.

Program Design

The student will carry out academic research under the supervision of an advisor and complete an academic dissertation of not less than 75,000 words.  During the course of study, students are required to participate in seminars on particular topics, pass a comprehensive examination, and fulfill the language requirements.  Students may opt to study full-time or part-time.

Full-time Study Mode

1. Students must complete the whole program in 4 years’ time.
2. The dissertation proposal must be accepted within the first year of study in order to stay in the program.
3. Depending on the research area, students are required to master at least one research related language other than their mother tongue, and proof of proficiency (passing certificate of public examination of that language) must be presented to the Seminary within the first year of study.
4. Students are required to sit for a comprehensive examination within the first two years of study.
5. When the dissertation proposal is accepted, language requirement fulfilled and comprehensive examination passed, the student would become a Doctor of Philosophy candidate.
6. The student who has completed the dissertation and passed the oral defense is eligible for graduation.
7. Full-time students may apply for fellowship.  Students are required to apply for the fellowship every year and a maximum of four years of the fellowship will be granted.

Part-time Study Mode

1. Students should complete the entire program in 8 years’ time at most.
2. The dissertation proposal must be accepted within the first two years of study in order to stay in the program.
3. Depending on the research area, students are required to master at least one research related language other than their mother tongue, and proof of proficiency (passing certificate of public examination of that language) must be presented to the Seminary within the first two years of study.
4. Students are required to sit for the comprehensive examination before the end of the fourth year of study.
5. With the dissertation proposal accepted, language requirement fulfilled and comprehensive examination passed, the student would become a Doctor of Philosophy candidate.
6. The student who has completed the dissertation and passed the oral defense is eligible for graduation.

Admission Requirements

1. Applicants must hold a Master of Divinity degree (or equivalent) or higher qualification, with a CGPA of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 grade scale.
2. Applicants must hold valid public English test results obtained within the past two years (e.g., TOEFL iBT: Old System 79 / New System 4, or IELTS: 6.5) and be able to communicate in Chinese. Those who wish to major in Biblical Studies must also be proficient in Hebrew and Greek.
3. Applicants must have a preliminary proposal on their research topics ready.
4. Applicants must submit two academic papers (e.g., a graduation thesis or previous research papers completed during a theological degree). The content must be relevant to the applicant's intended field of study, such as Old Testament Studies or Theological Studies.
5. Full-time students enroll in September, with applications closing on May 1st of the same year; part-time students can apply for enrollment on a quarterly basis.

For application and enquiry,

email: absadmission@abs.edu
tel: (852) 3657 4731

**Program content is subject to official seminary announcements.
**This program is accredited by the Asia Theological Association (ATA). Period of Accreditation: 2017-2028.