Research only Ph.D. with little to no residency.

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by pastorgrant, Jul 25, 2011.

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  1. pastorgrant

    pastorgrant New Member

    Hi everyone, I'm sorry if my question betrays my ignorance of the subject and ask for your patience. I tried to give as much relevant information as possible so that you are better able to help me in my situation.

    A mentor of mine who is is the director of a theological society (they publish a journal, some books, and various other periodicals) is encouraging me to pursue a Ph.D. I am interested, but I am only beginning to learn what my options are.

    I have a Bachelor's in English Literature and some seminary training but no Master's degree of any kind. Most of my education has been self-directed. On the positive side, I am published in a theological journal with international circulation (and have been propositioned to write three more articles) and have been told by an adjunct seminary professor that my work shows advanced skill in exegesis and writing.

    I have learned that I can bypass a Master's degree and earn a Ph.D. from some of the B&M state universities near here and I am considering that option, but would much prefer to pursue a research-only Ph.D. in the international model. I don't mind the prospect of writing a 500 page dissertation, especially if I have plenty of freedom to choose the topic. I spoke with a Fellow at Oxford about their programs and they do not necessarily require residency, other than a couple of months, but it seems like the cost would be prohibitive (if I could even get accepted). I'm a pastor and my salary is meager.

    Also, my job and my family mean that I need to stay local as much as possible.

    The reason I want to get a Ph.D. is mostly for the opportunities to get published that it would provide, but I am also interested in teaching hermeneutics at a Bible college or classes on Christianity at a secular institution (part-time). I would like to pursue a doctorate in English and do my research on something related to hermeneutics or exegesis (doesn't have to be Biblical). I would also be interested in Church History, Theology, or Patristics, though from what I can tell many of those programs require a Master's and a reading knowledge in Latin, German, Hebrew, and Greek and I only have a reading knowledge of (Koine) Greek.

    Do you have any suggestions of reputable institutions that I might look into? Any other advice would also be appreciated.

    Thanks in advance for your help.
     
  2. cdhale

    cdhale Member

    You might want to check South African options. UNISA, UNIZUL, SATS, etc. You can do a forum search for more information on these schools than you will ever care to read. We have several board participants who have done their doctorates through these schools.

    They are respected schools, and the price is hard to beat.
     
  3. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    If someone goes this route, a Master's degree with thesis is generally expected. Of course, you can do the MA/MS/MTh through them first (which can consist entirely of a thesis), then complete the doctorate.
     
  4. emmzee

    emmzee New Member

    Trinity College, Bristol in the UK offers distance research-only grad degrees:

    Home - Trinity College Bristol

    They are not *too* expensive (compared to other UK schools) and the degree itself would be awarded by University of Bristol (a well-regarded secular British university).

    The catches: They require (I think) 6 weeks / year in residency at the school in Bristol. That may be negotiable, I don't know. A master's degree is required for entry (or I imagine you'd have to do MPhil or something thru them on the way to the PhD). Also they would need to have someone on staff who has similar research interests available to supervise your research.
     
  5. JeepNerd

    JeepNerd New Member

    Tennessee Temple University a Christian University

    That might be a good match for you as well, they have an online model that might work for you! Their cost is fairly low compared to many other schools, but their accreditation is TRACs. But theology is one of the places that seems to be more accepted for what you want!
     
  6. pastorgrant

    pastorgrant New Member

    Thanks

    Thanks for your help everyone. It is looking more and more like a local B&M university is going to be my best option. There are several in the area that have good Ph.D. programs, and one in particular that is both well-respected and inexpensive.
     
  7. nanoose

    nanoose New Member

    Please tell us the name.
    Thanks (others here are in your shoes).
     
  8. PilgrimPastor

    PilgrimPastor New Member

    TTU could be an option but they do not have any programs that meet what he is looking for. I am entering the project phase of their D.Min. and it s a great program and I love being a part of the school but they don't offer research only degrees; traditional coursework plus dissertation /project. They do offer a Ph.D. But not in theology (at least not currently) it's in leadership. You don't necessarily need the Ph.D. To accomplish your goals, but it won't hurt a bit if you want to take a decidedly academic track. I am already doing similar things, am publishing, with a nearly completed D.Min. I am a pastor also (Chris Surber)

    I would recommend not shortcutting straight to a research Only Ph.D. If you really want a career in Cristian Academia. The folks you will seek as colleagues will mostly have done serious M.A. / Ph.D. Work, M.Div. Th.M. Ph.D., tracks and a few are teaching pastoral leadership /ministry with solid D.Min.
    And experience. There lots of exceptions and nuances but if you are serious I would get the M.Div. And then look for a Ph.D. with or without coursework that has serious credibility.

    NO MATTER how brilliant you think you are or how brilliant others say you are academia in the Christian community is tough to get into, lots of gatekeepers.
     
  9. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    To add to what Pilgrimpastor says, there are some highly respected South African Universities (world class) and you do find US based faculty with degrees from them. However, most South African research doctorates in theological subjects will not even take someone with an MDiv into the program (unless it had a Thesis and then they will consider it). They do not consider the MDiv to be an academic degree. You need the MDiv plus a DMin for entrance or MTh (in other words an advanced degree past the MDiv) or some other academic Masters.

    I would think if you can find a US based program that will accept you with just a BA (as you note you did) that is your best option.
     

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