Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program Goals

Students in the PhD program will:

• Demonstrate ability to perform viable scholarly research sufficient for contributing to a specified academic field of study
• Communicate effectively through written and oral channels
• Manifest traits of personal integrity, character, and spirituality

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Admission Requirements and Process

In addition to the common admissions requirements for all degree programs (please refer to the Admission section of this catalog), applicants to the PhD program must:

• hold (or are about to complete) one of the following degrees: Master of Theology degree (ThM), Master of Divinity degree (MDiv), Master of Sacred Theology (STM) degree, or a qualifying Master of Arts (MA) degree;
• have an academic record that demonstrates superior ability; and at least 3–4 months for completion
• satisfactorily pass a written examination in the field of their intended major and an oral examination of their Christian experience, scholarship, theology, achievement, and purpose.

Students admitted to the PhD program without the DTS ThM should expect additional coursework as part of their individualized requirements.

Applications are submitted to the Admissions office. These formal applications include official transcripts, a writing sample, references, and a biographical sketch. Once the initial applications are validated, a prospective student interacts with the PhD Studies office to complete the admissions process. To be admitted, applicants must be interviewed by faculty, satisfactorily pass a written examination in the field of their intended concentration, and pass an oral examination of their Christian experience, scholarship, theology, achievement, and purpose. This extensive admissions process provides an opportunity for the applicant and DTS to assess whether the prospective student and program are a good fit for one another.

Applications for the doctoral program may be submitted at any time of the year. However, because of the rigorous nature of the vetting process, one should allow for at least 3–4 months for completion of the process.. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply at least 7–9 months before the start of the term they intend to begin classes.

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