Program Description, Purpose and Objectives
The Chinese PhD program jointly offered by Kepha and CBS is intended to equip students for careers in theological education and research for churches in China and the broader Sinophone World. The Chinese PhD (Biblical Studies) in particular provides students with the advanced knowledge and skills needed to research, write, and make a scholarly contribution to the field of biblical studies.
The objectives of the Ph.D. degree will enable students to:
- Research and write at an advanced level of scholarship under the functional authority of Scripture.
- Make a scholarly contribution to the field of Biblical Studies.
- Present research results in a professional, organized, coherent, and structured manner in both written and oral form.
- Function responsibly in the context of a supervisory relationship while exhibiting CIU’s core value of victorious Christian living.
Achievement of these objectives will be evaluated through the production and defense of the student’s original work of academic research written in English (90,000 -110,000) or Chinese (135,000 – 165,000), which will be directed by a faculty specialist in the student’s chosen field of study. Students may focus their research in any of the areas of biblical studies.
The Biblical Studies concentration encompasses the broad areas of Old Testament and New Testament. Students who pursue this concentration may choose to focus their research in any of the areas of biblical studies, including biblical backgrounds, exegesis, interpretation, and biblical theology. Their objective is to make an original and significant contribution to their area of study and, as a result, contribute to a more accurate understanding of the message of Christ as found in Scripture. Applicants complete qualifying exams in either Biblical Hebrew or Biblical Greek. During their first two years of study, students also complete proficiency exams in two theological research languages related to their dissertation topic.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the general admission requirements of the Chinese PhD programs at Kepha, applicants should meet the following requirements 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
- Written confirmation and description of stable Internet access required for successful completion of the program (please include information such as the specific search engines available to the applicant)
- Official transcript for the highest earned degree and any master’s level credits earned
- A minimum 3.5 GPA (or equivalent) for all graduate work
- Proficiency in graduate-level theological studies, demonstrated by completion of an accredited Master of Arts (MA), Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Theology (ThM), or an overseas equivalent
- Biblical languages:
- New Testament: 4 semesters of Greek; 2 semesters of Hebrew
- Old Testament: 4 semesters of Hebrew; 2 semesters of Greek
- Academic writing sample (5,000-6,000 words in English; 7,500-9,000 words in Chinese) demonstrating (1) proficiency in academic English or Chinese and (2) intellectual competency for doctoral studies or a Master’s thesis (English or Chinese)
- Preliminary research proposal (approximately 500 words in English or 750 words in Chinese)
- Two Academic References
- Interview
Applicants to the Kepha-CBS 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, 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
Students in the Kepha-CBS Chinese program may use satisfactory English proficiency test results as a substitute for one concentration-specific theological research language (usually French, German, or Latin) required for degree completion if English is not their native language.
Residency and Transfer Policies
The program is designed to be a non-residential study. A student may transfer in up to 6 hours if he/she can demonstrate completion of the equivalent of BIB 9200 Issues and Methods and/or BIB 9400 Principles of Teaching, Learning, and Course Design.
Time Limitation
The time limit for completing the program is ten years, dating from the student’s first seminar and concluding with dissertation defense and graduation. The program is designed so that students who pursue their research and writing at a six-credit-per-semester pace should be able to complete their degree in three years. If a student studying at that pace does not defend the dissertation by the end of the third year, the student will pay a continuation fee for each semester he/she remains in the program.
Completion Requirements
- Successful completion of all seminars with a minimum 3.0 and a B or higher grade.
- Successful completion of proficiency examinations in theological German, French, or Latin as noted below.*
- Successful completion of a dissertation proposal prepared under the supervision of a faculty mentor as noted below.**
- Successful oral defense of a dissertation that is an original work of academic research written in English (90,000 -110,000) or Chinese (135,000 – 165,000) before a committee of at least three internal and/or external faculty readers.
- Affirmation of the CIU doctrinal statement.
Note
* Research Language I and II Prerequisites: Students must demonstrate competency in an approved theological research language (usually either German, French, or Latin). The competency can be demonstrated by taking an approved course at another institution and passing that course or by taking a proficiency exam administered by CIU. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete these courses as soon as possible. They will not be allowed to take Dissertation Research and Writing I (BIB 9901) until the prerequisite Research Language I has been met and Dissertation Research and Writing III (BIB 9903) until the prerequisite Research Language II has been met.
** Comprehensive Knowledge Review: Students must demonstrate familiarity with concentration-specific knowledge areas. They demonstrate their familiarity during tutorial discussions with their dissertation mentors. They will not be allowed to take Dissertation Research and Writing V (BIB 9905) until they meet this prerequisite.
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