From Towers Online - The News Service of The Southern Baptist Seminary:

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary will introduce in January what is believed to be the first doctor of philosophy degree in spirituality offered at a Protestant institution in the United States.

The new degree accompanies Southern’s doctor of ministry in biblical spirituality, which the seminary started in January 2008.

Don Whitney, senior associate dean of Southern’s School of Theology and director of the Center for Biblical Spirituality, said the introduction of the new Ph.D. degree comes at a key time… 

See also: THE TERMINOLOGY TRAP OF “SPIRITUAL FORMATION”