PhD in Divinity/Ministry (PhD)

Established in 1935, Corban University is a private, independent Christian university with a Baptist heritage. Its mission is to educate Christians who will make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ. The university connects academic study with a Bible-centered worldview, worship, creative expression, stewardship, and service. Faculty mentors and close friendships support students as they develop knowledge, practical skills, compassion, and confidence for their careers.

Corban offers more than 50 undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate programs on campus and online. Academic areas include business, education and counseling, humanities, mathematics and sciences, nursing, ministry, and social sciences. Graduate options include business administration, education, clinical mental health counseling, public administration, Christian leadership, divinity, kinesiology, and a Doctor of Education. The university has a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 18.

The 205-acre campus sits on a forested hillside minutes from central Salem, Oregon’s capital city. The mountains and Oregon coast are about an hour away, while nearby activities include parks, coffee shops, hiking trails, and food carts. International applicants should understand that Corban is an all-Christian academic community. Undergraduate applicants need a personal testimony of faith in Jesus Christ, a Christian character reference, and either a 2.7 or higher high school GPA or a 2.0 or higher college GPA. SAT, ACT, or CLT scores and application essays are not required.

Students study the theology and rules of a particular Christian church. They also study liturgy, ritual, pastoral ministry, homiletics, evangelism, ethics, and church history.

This field prepares students for ordination as ministers or priests in Christian traditions. It supports work in pastoral ministry, preaching, evangelism, and church or parish organization and management.

For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 90% of applicants.