Intercultural Studies, Ph.D.

Program Description

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Talbot School of Theology is to equip scholars to be competent in research, writing, and reflective action from a holistically integrated Christian worldview in order to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. The program prepares graduates for enhanced leadership roles or professorial roles in higher education, the local church, cross-cultural leadership, and intercultural praxis.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Studies, students will demonstrate:

1. Knowledge of the Field of Intercultural Studies: Students will demonstrate a mastery of foundational and contemporary theories, concepts, and knowledge of current empirical research within the field of intercultural studies through critical analysis and synthesis of relevant literature (ULO 1).
2. Academic Writing Ability: Students will produce clear, well-structured, and academically rigorous written work that adheres to disciplinary conventions, demonstrates critical thinking, appropriately uses empirical data, and effectively communicates complex ideas to scholarly audiences (ULO 1).
3. Research Design and Implementation: Students will design, conduct, and report original empirical research to extend knowledge in the field of intercultural studies (ULO 2).
4. Faith Integration Competency: Students will critically examine and articulate connections between biblical/theological perspectives and social science research, demonstrating the ability to engage in scholarly dialogue that honors both academic rigor and Christian faith commitments (ULO 3).
5. Spiritual Formation: Students will demonstrate growth in spiritual maturity through ethical reasoning, cultural sensitivity, and reflective engagement with multiple perspectives (ULO 3).

Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.

Admission Requirements

The doctoral program seeks to admit applicants whose background clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith and theological tradition, personal character and integrity, a service-oriented motivation toward endeavors of leadership and teaching and a deepening relationship with God.

As in many graduate programs, enrollment is limited. In order to be admitted to full graduate standing, the applicant must comply with the following:

1. Have earned an accredited Master's degree in an appropriate field. A minimum GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale in all previous graduate work is required.
2. Applicants whose formal educational preparation does not include all of the required prerequisite coursework must make arrangements to satisfactorily complete them prior to beginning doctoral studies. 
3. Submit a completed online Talbot School of Theology doctoral application form and application fee. The form will provide a place to indicate the degree program for which application is being made, either the Ph.D., D.I.S., or Ed.D.
4. Test Scores: (a) GRE scores are not required for admission. (b) For international applicants for whom English is not a primary language, submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) with an overall score of at least 100 on the TOEFL iBT. Since doctoral seminars involve regular student discussion, it is expected that international students have the requisite ability in listening to and speaking spoken English at a doctoral level so as to be contributing members of such discussions.
5. Present evidence of potential for original academic research at the doctoral level by submitting a sample of scholarly writing (with citations and bibliography), preferably related to field of study, of at least 10 pages, but not more than 20 pages.
6. Applicants may be asked to be interviewed by the program director or the Doctoral Program Committee as a requirement for admission.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline for the Ph.D. degree program is February 15. A new cohort of students is admitted in the fall semester only. 

Since enrollment for the degree programs is limited and admission is on a selective basis, applications should be made as early as possible. 

Graduation Requirements

While the doctorate is not awarded simply for completion of stated coursework, the Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 51 semester credits of coursework. All students must present an acceptable dissertation, have satisfactorily passed their qualifying exam and completed all required course work with a minimum 3.0 GPA to qualify for graduation. After the student advances to candidacy, they will enroll in a 3-credit field research course each semester for at least two semesters until they have completed their dissertation.

Students will meet with an academic advisor at the beginning of their studies to plan out a course plan. All dissertation students must complete a Graduation Application Form one year prior to graduation to declare their intent to graduate. (See the Graduate Graduation Application section.)

Qualifying Examinations

The qualifying exam represents a transitional point in the Ph.D. program. Focusing on skills of integration and synthesis, the exam gives evidence that students have mastered a breadth of foundational understandings that position them to undertake original research. The content of the written qualifying exam includes material from the core areas of the curriculum and the student's particular specialization. These exams are normally taken at the end of their third year of coursework.

Admission to Candidacy

Official Ph.D. candidacy indicates that students have completed all of the preliminary requirements and are now qualified to undertake original research contributing to scholarship in their respective fields through their doctoral dissertations.

To achieve candidacy, students must successfully complete the following:

1. Required coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0
2. Qualifying examinations
3. Successful defense of the dissertation proposal

It is the responsibility of students to contact their advisors in order to ensure all candidacy requirements have been met. Upon completion of the requirements, students will be notified of their acceptance to candidacy.

Candidates will be assigned a chairperson from the graduate faculty to guide their dissertation research. Upon achieving candidacy, students may implement their proposed research plans under the supervision of the approved doctoral chairperson.

Dissertation

The dissertation process officially begins with the successful defense of a candidate's proposal before one's doctoral committee prior to beginning the student's field research. The proposal is completed while enrolled in TTDS 8900, during which students are considered full-time. During the dissertation phase, doctoral students enroll in TTDS 8910 every semester for at least two semesters until the successful defense of the dissertation. Students enrolled in TTDS 8910  are considered full-time for a maximum of four semesters. All empirical research for dissertations requires approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before any data is collected.

Dissertation Defense

The final examination is an oral defense of the dissertation before the doctoral committee and other invited professionals. Successful defense of the dissertation completes the candidate's responsibilities for the degree, which is conferred in the scheduled graduation ceremony immediately following the defense.

Program Requirements

The Talbot School of Theology offers Ph.D. degrees in Intercultural Studies and Educational Studies. Each program requires a minimum of 51 credits past the appropriate master's degree.

Time Limit for Degree Completion

All course and academic requirements for the Ph.D. degree should be completed within seven years, beginning on the date of the student's first registration. Petitions for extension beyond seven years will be considered on a case-by-case basis for students. At times, students may need to interrupt their programs for a semester or more for a variety of personal or work-related reasons. See a full description of the policies regarding leave of absences below.  

Withdrawal and Re-Admission Procedures

A student who must drop out of school must go through the formal withdrawal process. To return to active status, the student should contact the program director and file a readmission form with the Office of Admissions.

Leave of Absence

Inactive students are those who have requested and been granted Leave of Absence from the program. A Leave of Absence may be granted upon petition for change of status if there is deemed sufficient reason for interrupting the program and intention to return to the program.

A Leave of Absence must be renewed by petition each semester and may not exceed two consecutive semesters. A Leave of Absence longer than two semesters will require withdrawal from the program and a petition for readmission if the student later wishes to regain active status. Each leave of absence must receive the approval of the student's program advisor and the Dean of the school. Students on leave are required to register for TTDS 8500 Leave of Absence each term.

Dismissal

Students may be dismissed from the program for the following reasons:

1. Failing the proposal defense
2. Failing 3 or more classes (with grades less than a B-)
3. Failing to attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or more
4. Any form of plagiarism (defined in the Graduate Student Handbook)
5. Failing to complete an approved dissertation within the 7 years allotted

Curriculum Requirements

Ph.D. students may take hybrid courses, which includes both on-campus courses and online courses, to complete their program. 

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After completing their coursework, students will enroll in TTDS 8910 (3 credits) for at least two semesters for a minimum of 6 credits. TTDS 8910 must be taken every semester until the successful defense of the dissertation, and students must be enrolled during the semester of graduation.