Practical Theology, PhD

The Practical Theology concentration encompasses the broad areas of chaplaincy, homiletics, pastoral theology, and moral theology. Students who pursue this concentration may choose to focus their research in any of these areas. Their objective is to make an original and significant contribution to their area of study and, as a result, contribute to the understanding of a theologically-informed biblical worldview. Applicants will complete proficiency exams in one foreign language related to their dissertation topic. 

The objectives of the Ph.D. degree with a Practical Theology Concentration 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 Practical Theology.
• 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 (90,000-110,000 words), 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 or theological studies. 

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general graduate application requirements of the university (see the Admissions section for details), applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Proficiency in graduate-level theological studies, demonstrated by completion of an accredited Master of Arts (MA), Master of Divinity (MDiv), or Master of Theology (ThM) degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.
• Two academic references.
• Students applying for Old Testament must have completed 4 semesters of Hebrew and 2 semesters of Greek. Students applying for New Testament must have completed 4 semesters of Greek and 2 semesters of Hebrew. Students applying for Theological Studies must have completed 4 semesters of either/both biblical languages. Biblical Studies students will take a language assessment exam during their first seminar to ensure that they are adequately prepared to handle the text in the original languages.
• Research Language I Prerequisite: 
  • Students must demonstrate competency in an approved research language (usually either German, French, or Latin). This can be accomplished 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 this course as soon as possible, as they will not be allowed to take the Dissertation Research I course (PTH 9901) until the prerequisite Research Language I has been met.
• Proficiency in conducting research and writing at the graduate level, demonstrated by completion of a Master’s thesis or a major research paper (approximately 5,000-6,000 words).
• Submission of a research proposal (approximately 500 words plus a bibliography) that meets the following parameters:
  • Preliminary title and short statement of the topic.
  • Brief overview of the general area of study, including the current state of knowledge and recent debates on the topic.
  • Research questions that will guide the study and research methods that will be used.
  • Anticipated contribution of the study.
  • Preliminary bibliography of relevant and recent works.
• Interview with admissions committee considering academic readiness, dissertation aim, personal maturity, and career goals. Students with deficiencies in any area must address those deficiencies to the satisfaction of the committee; beginning the program might be dependent upon fully addressing the deficiencies.
• Because of the non-residential delivery of the program, students must demonstrate access to adequate and reliable online service, as well as to a theological library and professional level biblical software.

Applicants who are deficient in one or more of the above areas may choose to address those deficiencies by completing the CBS Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Biblical and Theological Studies or other necessary courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. If students are not making sufficient academic progress after the first 30 hours of the program, the doctoral mentor and PhD program director may award the students an M.A., and they will not complete the dissertation.