Contact: Warren Smith, 704-661-9137

CHARLOTTE, June 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- Southern Evangelical Seminary has added a Ph.D. program in Christian Apologetics. The new program, under the direction of Dr. Thomas A. Howe, will begin classes this fall.

Southern Evangelical Seminary has been committed to the field of Christian Apologetics since its founding by Dr. Norman Geisler in 1992. The institution already offers masters level degrees in Christian Apologetics, as well as a doctor of ministry in Christian Apologetics.

"A doctor of ministry degree generally presumes that the student will be going into church ministry," said Dr. Howe. "A Ph.D. is an academic degree that prepares its recipients to teach at the college level."

Southern Evangelical Seminary President Dr. Alex McFarland said the new program would expand the reach and scope of the institution. "This will be the capstone program for our institution," Dr. McFarland said. "Teachers have a tremendous impact in our world. And we have seen that impact in the lives of our students. But that effect is magnified when you teach teachers. That's exactly what this new Ph.D. program allows us to do."

Dr. Thomas A. Howe graduated from Luther Rice Bible College with a Bachelor of Divinity degree, and Dallas Baptist University with a Bachelor of Art degree. He received graduate training at Liberty University, where he received an M.A. in religion. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy of religion from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before assuming this new position as director of the Ph.D. program, he was professor of Bible and biblical languages at Southern Evangelical Seminary. Although Dr. Howe will continue to teach masters level courses, his primary responsibility will be directing this new program.

Southern Evangelical Seminary, located in Matthews, N.C., just outside of Charlotte, is one of the nation's leading institutions of higher education devoted to apologetics and evangelism.