Academic prerequisites

A suitable Master of Arts degree by research or Doctor of Ministry. Graduates of professional M.A. degrees may be admitted if their project work demonstrates readiness to begin original research at this level. Examples of suitable prerequisite qualifications are:

• Master of Arts in Biblical Ministry by research.
• Master of Arts in Biblical Ministry or Master of Divinity with a professional project that demonstrates appropriate research preparation.
• A British-style Bachelor with Honours (first class or upper second class division) degree.
• Applicants who do not already have a full introduction to biblical studies shall be required to complete 30 semester hours of biblical studies in addition to the above units.

Requirements for Doctor of Philosophy (Theology)

The relevant seminar units:

Specialized research seminar 1 (RES901) Three semester hours

Students will explore a major topic in their area of special interest that will normally be related to their intended dissertation topic. It will normally include a critical review of current relevant research literature and describe the current state of professional practice or research on the topic. The topic must be:

• preparatory to the student's project proposal for their dissertation.
• suited to the student’s educational and ministry background and their particular interests
• approved by the student’s supervisor.

Specialized research seminar 2 (RES902) Three semester hours

Students will explore a major topic in their area of special interest that will normally be related to their intended dissertation topic. It will normally include a critical review of current relevant research literature and describe the current state of professional practice or research on the topic. The topic must be:

• preparatory to the student's project proposal for their dissertation.
• suited to the student’s educational and ministry background and their particular interests
• separate from that of specialized research seminar 1, and
• approved by the student’s supervisor.

Research Methods (RES903) Three semester hours

This unit explores the logic, epistemology, design, ethics, and execution of ministry research methods. Methodologies must be preparatory to the student's project proposal for their dissertation.

Dissertation writing (RES904) Three semester hours

This unit explores the process of writing a major dissertation. This includes choosing a topic, assessing feasibility and significance, allocating time, anticipating problems, and developing a major research proposal.

Comprehensive examination

Students must satisfactorily complete a comprehensive examination in the field of their dissertation:

• Each examination will be individually formulated by the RDC.
• The examination may be written and/or oral.
• Students who do not satisfactorily complete the comprehensive examination may apply to take the examination again. They are not permitted to proceed until the examination has been passed.

Dissertation proposal

Students are required to submit a full dissertation proposal.

• It must demonstrate that the student has sufficiently broad understanding of his/her specialist area.
• It must demonstrate that the student has done sufficient preparation and planning to begin a dissertation.
• It may incorporate documents or content from course work units.

Major dissertation

A dissertation for the Doctor of Philosophy (Theology) must:

• evidence a significant, original contribution to scholarly research knowledge in its field (or fields)
• demonstrate ability to conduct further research without supervision
• use scholarly style and presentation appropriate to a publishable manuscript
• contain a significant amount of material worthy of publication as scholarship, and
• not exceed 100,000 words, including all preliminaries, footnotes and appendices.