Doctorate of Philosophy PhD

The purpose of the Doctor Of Philosophy PhD program is to provide an opportunity for the student on a post-graduate level to achieve primacy in the disciplines of Theology, Ministry and Leadership through original research and creative work in that area of ministry as demonstrated by a completed doctoral dissertation.

Nature of the Program

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is a 54 credit program beyond a master which combines 27 credits in core courses, 9 credits in Special Topics, 4 credits in guided readings and a 14 credit Dissertation of 75,000 words minimum, using the approved style of writing a five-chapter dissertation.

This research degree primarily emphasises leadership in research within various areas of ministry.  The Doctorate is supervised by faculty mentors, one chosen by the student serving as a reader and one by the University, who will serve as chairman of the committee.

The candidate will write a 10,000-word paper on each of the nine core courses covering the topic thoroughly.  Each core course is worth three (3) credits.

CL701  Spiritual Formation

CL702  The Christian Life:  An Evangelical Spiritual Theology

CL703  Church Administration and Leadership

CL704  Interpersonal Communication and Conflict Management

CL705  Advanced Leadership and Administration

CL706  Spiritual Leadership Formation and Basic Principles

CL707  Christian Ethics

CL708  The Missionary Encounter with World Religions

CL709  Advanced Spiritual Leadership Formation

The Doctoral student must submit a Bibliography of the books used for the core course papers.

Note the word count does not include an introduction, appendices, embedded scripture, quotations, endnotes, footnotes, bibliography, or the such like.  The word count is taken from your own words in the contents of the papers.

The candidate will select three special topics from the list below and write a 10,000-word paper on the special topics covering the topic thoroughly.  Each core course is worth three (3) credits.

CB820  Philosophy of Corporate Management

CB840  Philosophy of Personal Management

CB850  Business Law and Ethics for Church Administrators

CC850  Clinical Applications of Counseling in the Church

CC860  Psychopathology, Sin and Demonic Influence

CC870  Psychotherapy, Pastoral Counseling and Inner Healing

CC880  Psychology and Theology – A Personal Integration

CC890  Personality Theory, Therapy and Development

ED820  Human Behaviour

ED830  Psychology of Learning

ED840  Philosophy of Learning

ED850  Educational Leadership

RS810  Higher Criticism, Biblical Exegesis and Textual Criticism

RS820  Contemporary Theology and Evangelical Belief

RS830  Church History and Modern Religious Movements

RS840  Creationism, Evolution and Biblical Theology

RS850  Practical Theology, Contemporary Methodology and Church Life

Guided Readings reflect an area of research directed toward the writing of the doctoral project.  The student must choose a minimum of twenty-five (25) sizable works, approved by the Principal, to read and write on.  The minimal size of the work is 10,000 words.  The writings must be comprehensive enough to cover the topic; this primarily constitutes Chapter 2 of the doctoral project.  The completed Guided Readings are a part of the doctoral project and lead toward candidacy status.

Note that the word count does not include embedded scripture, quotations, endnotes, footnotes, bibliography, introduction, appendices, or such like and is counted from the chapter contents only.

Doctoral Project Proposal (4 hours)

Research Writing Made Easy describes the process and structure for a Doctoral Proposal. The student will then write a proposal for the Doctorate, describing the project according to the prescribed format. The completed proposal is to be approved by the Doctoral Committee of the College. The College shall provide a copy of Research Writing Made Easy.

Doctoral project (10 hours)

Upon approval of the proposal, the student may begin writing their Doctoral Project according to the specific format. The minimum size of the dissertation is 75,000 words and a maximum of 100,000 words with your choice of subject.

The Doctoral Project is the finishing work for the doctoral degree and provides the right to be called a “Doctor.” It earns ten credits towards the degree program. The guidelines for writing the project are found in the book Research Writing Made Easy.

Through this combination of foundational coursework, diligent study, and the guidance of a doctoral project coordinator, the candidate successfully completes the projects that are both personally gratifying and that contribute to the advancement of God’s kingdom.

Note the word count does not include an introduction, appendices, embedded scripture, quotations, endnotes, footnotes, bibliography, or such.  The word count is taken from the contents of the chapters only. The completed proposal is to be approved by the Doctoral Committee.