Purpose and Objectives
The Doctor of Philosophy degree prepares students to teach in post-secondary theological higher education both nationally and internationally. It provides students with the advanced knowledge and skills needed to research, write, and make a scholarly contribution to the field of Practical Theology.
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 or Theological 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 (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 practical theology.
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. During their first years, students also complete a proficiency exam in one foreign language related to their dissertation topic.
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 Practical Theology must have completed 4 semesters of either/both biblical languages. Students applying for Practical Theology must have completed 4 semesters of pastoral, practical, or applied theology.
- 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).
- Interview
- 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.
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.
Residency and Transfer Policies
The program is non-residential, and students are not required to study in residence. The initial three seminars are delivered online, and the dissertation process is an independent research and writing experience with a specialist in the student’s field of study. A student may transfer in up to 6 hours, if he/she can demonstrate completion of the equivalent of PTH 9200 Issues and Methods and PTH 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 study on a full-time basis should be able to complete their degree in three years. If a full-time student 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. Students who study on a part-time basis should be able to complete their degree in five years. If a part-time student does not defend the dissertation by the end of the fifth year, the student will pay a continuation fee for each semester he/she remains in the program.
Completion Requirements
- Successful completion of all required hours of specified coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and with a grade of B or higher for all seminars.
- Successful completion of proficiency examinations in a concentration-specific modern research language as noted below.*
- Successful completion of a dissertation proposal prepared under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
- Successful oral defense of a dissertation that is an original work of academic research (90,000-110,000 words) before a committee of at least three internal and/or external faculty readers.
- Affirmation of the CIU doctrinal statement.
Notes
* 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.
