Doctor of Theology
The program leading to the Doctor
of Theology degree is designed for those who
are capable of doing research at the highest level, and who
plan to use their research in the teaching ministry of the
church.
Admission
The Th.D. applicant must hold the M.Div. or M.A. degree or
its academic equivalent from a recognized graduate school,
and have a working knowledge of Biblical languages. Applicants
may be required to make up deficiencies in basic requirements.
Applicants must have an academic record that shows promise
of success in doctoral studies.
Degree requirements
A student may be deemed a candidate for the Doctor of Theology
degree by action of the Degree Committee, only after the following
requirements have been met:
-
The student has completed 60 units (48 units courses and
12 units dissertation) leading to the degree with a minimum
grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
-
The student has passed the comprehensive written and oral
examinations over the major fields of study. These examinations
will be held in the semester after which the student completes
all course work in the major.
-
The student has shown evidence of consistent Christian
character, ability and acceptability in Christian ministry,
and commitment to the primacy of the divinely authoritative,
inerrant Scriptures that are interpreted within the framework
of evangelical theology.
A maximum of 24 semester units of comparable work may be
transferred toward the Th.D. degree from recognized graduate
theological schools. In addition, students may petition to
substitute some electives for required courses if they have
previously taken and passed courses of the same content elsewhere.
A maximum of 3 units of independent study are allowed per
semester, with the total for the degree not to exceed 12 units.
Dissertation
Twelve units of a dissertation, maximum 90,000 words, on
a topic selected in consultation with the student's academic
advisor, must be completed and approved by one internal and
one external examiner. The criteria of acceptability for this
dissertation are, in order of weight, (1) significant research
in and contribution to the field of study, (2) in-depth knowledge
of the area of research, and (3) clear, concise presentation
according to proper grammar, style, and academic format. A
previously written work, or one which has already been awarded
academic credit, will not be accepted. After the completion
of all course work, student has one year to submit a dissertation
without a continuation fee.
A maximum of three years is the time normally allowed for
writing a dissertation following the completion of all course
work. If it is not completed within that time, the student
must file an application in the Registrar's office for an
extension, and may be required to complete additional coursework.
