Purpose and Objectives
The Kepha Institute at Columbia International University (CIU) is dedicated to interdisciplinary worldview formation that equips Christian leaders for community
service worldwide. In line with this purpose, the Institute offers Chinese-language PhD programs in partnership with the School of Missions & Intercultural Ministry
(SMIM) at CIU. The general aim of the programs is to train prospective leaders serving in the fields of theological education and academic research for churches in
China and the broader Sinophone world. Dissertations may be written in Chinese and defended in Mandarin.
Admission Requirements
- Online application
- Application fee
- Affirm to be a Christian and agree with CIU’s Doctrinal Standard
- Official transcript for highest earned degree and any master’s level credits earned
- A minimum 3.25 GPA for the most recent degree obtained.
- A Master’s degree (M.A., M.Div., Th.M.) from an accredited university or seminary that provides a relevant foundation (in biblical, theological, cultural, and missiological studies) for doctoral studies in Intercultural Studies. At least 18 hours of graduate work must have been completed in Intercultural Studies.
- Personal Statement (2,000 words in English or 3,000 words in Chinese) detailing the following:
- The applicant’s motivation in applying to the program
- Possible academic areas, themes, and topics the applicant intends to explore in his/her
doctoral research
- Possible vocations or ministries the applicant intends to pursue upon successful
completion of the degree
- The candidate’s experience in cross-cultural ministry (if any)
- A 30-40-page academic writing sample (English or Chinese) demonstrating (1) proficiency in academic English or Chinese and (2) intellectual competency for doctoral studies or A Master’s thesis in Intercultural Studies (English or Chinese)
- Church Leader Reference
- Two Academic References
- 3 years of cross-cultural ministry experience preferred.
For underground seminaries that are not recognized by the Chinese government, Unaccredited Institutions Review is necessary with exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants to the Kepha-CICS PhD program should demonstrate working knowledge of the Chinese language sufficient for academic writing. Additionally, the applicant must demonstrate a certain level of proficiency in the English language.
Special Admission Requirements, if any (e.g., prerequisite courses)
In addition to the general admission requirements of the Chinese PhD programs at Kepha, applicants should meet the following requirements in order for their applications to be considered by the admissions committee.
- Online application
- Application fee
- Affirm to be a Christian and agree with CIU’s Doctrinal Standard
- Official transcript for the highest earned degree and any master’s level credits earned
- A minimum 3.25 GPA (or equivalent) for the most recent degree earned
- A Master’s degree (MA, MDiv, ThM) or an overseas equivalent from an accredited university or seminary that provides a relevant foundation (in biblical, theological, cultural, and missiological studies). At least 18 hours of graduate work must have been completed in Intercultural Studies.
- Personal Statement (2,000 words in English or 3,000 words in Chinese) detailing the following:
- The applicant’s motivation in applying to the program
- Possible academic areas, themes, and topics the applicant intends to explore in his/her doctoral research
- Possible vocations or ministries the applicant intends to pursue upon successful completion of the degree
- The candidate’s experience in cross-cultural ministry (if any)
- A 30-40-page academic writing sample (English or Chinese) demonstrating (1) proficiency in academic English or Chinese and (2) intellectual competency for doctoral studies
or
A Master’s thesis in Intercultural Studies (English or Chinese)
- Church Leader Reference
- Two Academic References
- A minimum of 3 years of cross-cultural ministry experience preferred
Applicants to the Kepha Intercultural Studies PhD program must also demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language as measured by standardized tests such as CET-4 (College English Test CET-4, a national English level test in the People’s Republic of China) or equivalent for admission. Case-by-case evaluation of English proficiency will be conducted following the attainment of minimum standards.
CET-4 (Paper Based or Computer Based Test) 425 (out of 710)
Students whose native language is not English are also qualified for admission by passing one of the standardized English proficiency tests below with minimum scores as indicated:
TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score 550 (out of 677)
TOEFL (Computer Based Test): minimum score 213 (out of 300)
TOEFL (Internet Based Test): minimum score 79 (out of 120)
IELTS: minimum 6 (out of 9）
Duolingo: minimum 100
Residency and Transfer Policies
The programs are non-residential and candidates are not required to study in residence. Requisite coursework, supervision, and other resources will all be available
online. Candidates, however, have the option to complete any part of the program on campus. The two required seminars are offered online by CIU-Kepha, and candidates may
choose to complete their grading items (assignments, tests, exams, papers, etc.) in Chinese to be evaluated by the appointed instructors in the Kepha Institute. The
dissertation writing process is an independent research experience with a specialist appointed by the Kepha Institute in the candidate’s field of study.
Up to 12 hours may be transferred into the program if the candidate has demonstrated the equivalent of the research methods and dissertation proposal seminars (ICS 9600 and ICS 9900). In certain limited cases, advanced Master’s level work may be considered for transfer.
Time Limitation
The time limit for completing the program is ten years, from the student’s first seminar to dissertation defense and graduation. In extenuating circumstances, a student may petition for additional time to complete the dissertation.
For Three Year Accelerated students, if the dissertation is not ready to be defended by the end of year three of the program, then the student will pay a continuation fee each
semester to remain in the program. For Five-year students, if the dissertation is not ready for defense by the end of year five, then they will pay a continuation fee each
semester to remain in the program.
Completion Requirements
- Successful completion of Research Methods and Dissertation Proposal Seminars.
- Successful oral defense (in English or Mandarin) before a defense committee jointly approved and appointed by the Kepha Institute and CIU Intercultural Studies College.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), with no grade below “B” applicable to the degree. (Transfer grades are not calculated in the cumulative GPA.)
- If a candidate does not successfully pass the oral defense or if he/she completes 30 credit hours of study in the program but are unable to continue, he/she may be awarded a Master of Arts in Research.
Program Design
The Chinese PhD in Intercultural Studies consists of 48 semester hours of study and it may be completed in three years or five years.
The program is designed so that candidates who pursue their research and writing at the pace of 9 credits each semester should be able to complete their degrees in three years. Candidates who pursue their research and writing at the pace of 4.5 credits each semester should be able to complete their degrees in five years. If candidates extend their studies beyond the planned timeframe, they will pay a continuation fee for each semester they remain in the program.
The candidate has the option to compose the dissertation in Chinese and defend it in Mandarin.
The foundational courses are offered in English and Chinese (if the minimum enrollment requirement is satisfied), and candidates enrolled in courses offered in English have the option of completing the required grading items (assignments, tests, etc.) in either English or Chinese.
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