Hello everyone. I am very new to this distance learning stuff. In fact, I didn't even know it existed until my brother signed up for a DL MBA. I would like to know if anyone here knows if there are any Ph.D. degrees available in Catholic subjects. Doesn't really matter what subject, could be theology or Catholic studies or anything else. Price isn't a concern because my diocese is willing to pay for it. In case you need to know some of my background I am a Catholic priest with a Master of Divinity from Saint Meinrad School of Theology. I have a BA in History/Political Science. Thanks for any advice you can give me.
Hello, Father John! As you can see from my signature line, I, too, have a BA in History/Political Science I did some studies toward an MDiv at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, but I had to drop out, so I am (unfortunately) not a Conservative Lutheran Association pastor. Just off the top of my head, Maryvale Institute www.maryvale.ac.uk offers a good dissertation-only PhD in Catholic Studies and Australian Catholic University www.acuweb.com.au offers a good dissertation-only PhD in Early Christian Studies and Theology.
Welcome, Father. If you speak other languages like Spanish, you may be able to study a PhD in cannonical law at UNED . Not sure this could be an interesting field for you ..... Only writing it makes me yawn ...
Ted - Thank you for the links! They both look like good schools with great programs that interest me. I'm so sorry to hear that you didn't get to complete your MDiv. I'll keep you in my prayers. God bless. JLV - Thank you for your link as well! Yes, I can speak Spanish. As boring as cannonical law may be to most, I actually find it very interesting. God bless. Again, I thank you both for the great links. I now have three schools with great programs to choose from. God bless you both.
A few more.. Greetings Father, Hardly exhaustive..... but here's some additional information: _________________________________________________ 1. http://www.usccb.org/laity/laysurvey/schools.shtml ============= 2. Maryvale Institute Old Oscott Hill, B44 9AG, Birmingham, UK Telephone: 0121 360 8118 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.maryvale.ac.uk Description: Maryvale Institute specialises in part-time and distance learning courses in theology, religious education, philosophy, catechesis and evangelization. Focusing especially on adults - teachers, catechists, lay people, religious and clergy - this Institute is the first in the United Kingdom to offer courses in Catholic Theology on the Open University model with short residential schools. The courses which involve people from all over the British Isles and further afield are at different levels: from sixth form studies and adult continuing education to B.A., M.A. and Research Degrees. The Institute offers training courses for lay ministers, catechists, the permanent diaconate, and in evangelization, parenting and basic skills. For more information go to : http://www.maryvale.ac.uk/submenu/sub_high.htm Maryvale offers distance learners the B.A. in Applied Theology for Parish Catechesis, the B.A. in Applied Theology in Diaconal Ministry, M.A. Degree Course In Religious Education and Catechesis, the M.A. Degree Course in Personal, Moral and Spiritual Development in a theological perspective, all validated by the Open University. Additional programs designed for Catholic educators, clergy, and lay ministers are also available. Maryvale also offers B.Phil., M.Phil., D.Phil. Research Degrees in Catholic Studies by arrangement with the Open University. ======================== 3. University of South Africa Preller Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0002 South Africa Telephone: +27 12 429 4111 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.unisa.ac.za Description: The University of South Africa (UNISA) is the largest university in South Africa and one of the largest distance education institutions in the world. UNISA boasts over 120,000 registered students studying for qualifications, through the doctoral level, in six faculties -- Arts, Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Law, Science, Theology and Religious Studies. In addition, the Graduate School of Business Leadership confers the Master of Business Leadership and the Doctor of Business Leadership. Programs offered by the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies include the Bachelor of Theology (BTh), Master of Theology (MTh),and Doctor of Theology (DTh). As with many international programs, particularly those on the graduate level, these degrees are earned primarily through research and writing-based rather than via coursework. ============================= 4. University of Wales, Lampeter Lampeter, Ceredigion, Wales, SA48 7ED UK Telephone: 01570 422351 Fax: 01570 423423 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.lamp.ac.uk/trs Description: After Oxford and Cambridge, the University of Wales, Lampeter is the oldest university in England and Wales. The Department of Theology and Religious Studies offers a number of non-residential graduate programs including an M.A. in the Study of Religions, M.A. in Theology, M.Th. in Church History, M.A. in Religion, Politics and International Relations, and a number of other specialized programs. Such non-residential efforts require some campus time, usually three three-day residencies per year. The university also offers the M.Phil. and Ph.D. research degrees in a variety of religious studies areas. Students in non-residential research degree programs are encouraged to visit Lampeter at least once per academic year. More information about all of these degree programs is available at http://www.theologyforministry.com.
Haggai12 - Thanks for the detailed info! It will help me narrow things down a bit. I noted that you have a MDiv. Are you a minister? God bless.
Say there: Since Father John speaks Spanish, does anyone remember the name of that Latin American school (abbreviation: FLET) where Jimmy Clifton is getting his master's in theology? It might be useful to see whether they offer doctoral studies.
I forgot! Hello again, Father. Yes, I am ordained, working in the missions community. -------------- I must ask everyone's forgiveness! I forgot to note the information used (above) came from the newly updated Baker's Distance Education website: http://www.bakersguide.com ============================= One other thought.... There is a relatively new Catholic college in South Africa (with top academics!) who offer doctorates. They do not specifically mention distance degrees; but if they are at all like other South African schools, you may be able to come to an arrangement with them, since their doctoral programs are dissertation only. St. Augustine College of South Africa http://www.staugustine.ac.za ============================= The Lord bless you, brother, in your ongoing studies!!
Peach - Thanks for the link! God bless. Haggai12 - Thank you for the additional links! How would one go about arranging some sort of residency waiver with St. Augustine? God bless, and may the Lord bless your work in the missions community. Thanks everyone for the great advice you have given me. Right now I'm interested in Maryvale, UNED, and St. Augustine. Good luck and God bless.
You might also want to check out the Centre for Christian Spirituality in Australia, which is a Catholic institution. I'm quite sure that they offer the PhD at a distance. http://www.ccs.catholic.edu.au/ In addition, Fordham University offers the doctorate in religious education through a summer intensive format. I don't know if that would interest you in any way. www.fordham.edu
St. Augustine - Residency waiver Father, Likely the best, first step is to contact St. Augustine College and explain your desires / needs / situation. Previous posts on this forum, espc. related to South African schools -- have noted that some schools will "negotiate" study / research arrangements with the student. Perhaps St. Augustine would be willing / able to help you with this.
It is understandable that there would be some considerable focus on Catholic universities in answering Father John's question but I would hasten to point out that he need not be limited to Catholic universities or even departments of Religious Studies in an effort to obtain a PhD. It could be a rather simple matter to do a research oriented PhD at UNISA using as a topic, for example, Thomas Aquinas (in the Department of Philosophy) or some relevant historical topic in the Dept. of History. In this way all the research oriented Doctoral programs come into play and can be considered as potential degree sources. Best of luck.
Come to think of it, not sure what, if any, denominational affiliations their theology programs might have, but the University of Wales www.lamp.ac.uk does have a very highly regarded PhD in Mediaeval Church History, if that is of interest to Father John.
