Unexpected acceptance to Distance PhD

I recently applied to SATS, thinking I would need start to with the MTh. Instead, was accepted to PhD. I asked again, pointed out my MAR did not include a thesis.

I keep thinking of Groucho Marx, who was said to have refused to stoop so low as to join a club that would accept him as a member.

Am I being paranoid?

Thanks!

BS - U of Del '80
MBA - U of Penn Wharton '82
MAR - Liberty '13

 

Yes. Sometimes good things happen. Enjoy and good luck.

 

It all sounds right. Generally a Th.M. is a year of study past the M.Div. which eventually leads to a D.Min. The Ph.D. being a research degree can be pursued following a MAR. Besides, the Liberty MAR is 60 hours, so it is more than sufficient. Congratulations on your acceptance!

 

From the SATS website: The minimum admission requirement is a relevant Master’s Degree from an accredited institution for which the candidate must have achieved an above average grade. In the case of foreign qualifications the institution must be accredited by a recognised accrediting body or by the institution’s national government.

Our Doctoral programme is a research-based programme consisting of a dissertation. There is NO coursework in our Ph.D. programme. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to assign further reading or additional theological courses, should it be deemed necessary.

Our doctoral programme allows you to undertake research on any theological topic. You will conduct your research under the supervision of one or two experts in the chosen field(s) of study. Our doctoral supervisors have been carefully selected to provide you with the high academic standards and the levels of service excellence for which we have become known.

Dissertation

On enrolment you will be required to complete RES6600 Theological Research Methodology, a course which culminates in the submission of your dissertation proposal to the Postgraduate Committee. The first phase of the Ph.D. consists of preliminary research culminating in the submission of your research proposal. You have a maximum of 12 months to submit your research proposal, failing which your registration for the Ph.D. will lapse.

If and when your dissertation proposal is accepted, under the guidance of your supervisor you will be required to write a dissertation consisting of 80,000 to 100,000 words, (12 point font, one-and-a-half spacing). Your dissertation will be assessed by two independent External Examiners, as well as an Internal Examiner, your supervisor, and if it is successful, you will be awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree at the next Graduation Ceremony. Should you obtain a mark of 75% or above, the degree will be awarded cum laude. The maximum duration of this programme, which is at level 10 on the Higher Education Qualifications Framework, is six years.

 

K: Thanks for validating my suspicion that I was being overly-suspicious. Appreciate your well-wishes.

All: This board has been a good help to me since my jumping back into academe via DL. Will report back from the Diss. battle zone from time to time, hope perhaps I may be an enoucouragement to others, as so many of you have been to me. All the best.

regards

 

Your suspicion that you were being overly suspicious seemed somewhat suspicious. :smile:

 

Very nice. It seems that the structure of this DL PhD program is a common model in Europe and South Africa. The structure of my DL PhD program is very similar except for the subject matter.

 

Europe, South Africa and Australia utilize similar DL PhD models.