All applicants for admission to the Ph.D. program at Princeton Theological Seminary must hold the degree of B.A., or its equivalent, from an approved college or university, and ordinarily the degree of M.Div., or its equivalent, from an approved theological institution. It is assumed that those who are enrolled in M.Div. or equivalent programs when they apply for admission will have received their degrees before matriculation.

The M.Div. degree is required of applicants in Practical Theology. In other areas, if the M.Div. or its equivalent is absent, a minimum of two years of graduate study in religion is required. Included in the two years must be a course in each of Old Testament, New Testament, systematic theology, philosophy, or ethics; history of religions; a human science in relation to religion; and two courses in the history of Christianity.

Candidates for programs in Christian Education, Pastoral Theology, and Homiletics must submit evidence, as early as possible in the first year of residence, that they have engaged in that form of professional practice under close supervision, or else they must arrange to do so during their period of residence.

All candidates must be fluent in English and must demonstrate reading knowledge of two other modern languages, normally German and French. It is strongly recommended that candidates enter the program with a reading knowledge of both languages. Competence in at least one language—in the case of Biblical Studies, German—must be established before matriculation as a condition of registration for a full course load. Competence in the second modern language must be demonstrated as a prerequisite for the second year of residence. Please see  Language Requirements, for more information.