Doctor of Philosophy
The program leading to the Doctor
of Philosophy degree is designed for those students who are capable
of doing theoretical and practical academic research at the highest level, and
who plan to use their research in the areas of professional writing, lecturing,
and teaching in undergraduate and graduate level colleges or universities.
Admission
The Ph.D. applicant must hold the M.A., Th.M., or M.Phil. degree
or its academic equivalent from a recognized graduate school, and have a proven
academic record demonstrating the ability to research and write at an advanced level.
Applicants may be required to make up deficiencies in basic requirements. Applicants
must demonstrate an academic record that shows promise of success in doctoral studies.
Degree requirements
A student may be deemed a candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy
degree by action of the Degree Committee, only after the following
requirements have been met:
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The student has completed 66 units (42 units courses, 18 units dissertation,
6 teaching/research practical application units) leading to the degree with a minimum
grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
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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.
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The student has shown evidence of integrity and
Christian character, ability and acceptability in relationship with his
peers and faculty mentors.
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The student will be expected to work as a research
assistant and/or teaching assistant for an assigned professor at California
Graduate School of Theology during at least 2 semesters before graduation.
A working scholarship will be applied as the equivalent of 6 units worth of
tuition during assistant work in the school.
A maximum of 20 semester units of comparable work may be
transferred toward the Ph.D. degree from recognized graduate theological schools
upon approval by the Academic Dean and Academic Committee. 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.
Dissertation
Eighteen 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. The continuation
fee is established by the catalog under which the student began and will increase no more than 3%
each year after 2 continuation periods have been granted. Continuation requests must be submitted
by the initiation of the student in order to remain an active student.
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.
