PhD Studies

Research Here. Serve Anywhere.

Preparing Colleagues to Impact the Guild and Steer Our Future

Our Supervisor Model

Mentorship From Start to Finish

Your supervisor's goal is to transform you into an expert in the field.

Through monthly meetings and supervised mentorship courses, you'll discuss your current seminars, research interests, and dissertation ideas. They'll guide you in developing your dissertation topic from broad idea to detailed prospectus and offer critical feedback throughout the writing process.

What you can expect from your supervisor:

  • Regularly meet (at least once a month) with their students regarding research interest and progress in the program/seminars
  • Advise toward certain seminars based on area of interest/study
  • Evaluate and review the student’s progress through the program
  • Assist in modifying seminar papers into content suitable for conference presentations and articles
  • Provide and help the student develop a bibliographic reading list for field of study and for comprehensive exams
  • Guide and direct the student to develop a robust research proposal
  • Oversee the proposal’s development into a prospectus in conjunction with the prospectus development course
  • Help students prepare for the comprehensive exams
  • Write and conduct the comprehensive exams (written/oral)

Find Your Major

Click on the name of each major to see faculty supervisors, sample syllabi, and required prerequisites.

Biblical Studies

Theological & Historical Studies

Christian Ministry

Counseling

Program Outline

PhD Residency (26 hours)
  • Intro to Research & Writing (3 hours)
  • 4 PhD Seminars (16 hours)
  • Reading Seminar I (3 hours)
  • Supervised Mentorship I (3 hours)
  • ThM Portfolio (1 hour)
  • ThM Conferral upon completing 26 hours and submission of writing portfolio
PhD Senior Residency (30 hours)
  • Teaching in Higher Education (3 hours)
  • 4 PhD Seminars (16 hours)
  • Reading Seminar II (3 hours)
  • Supervised Mentorship II (3 hours)
  • Proposal Approval (0 hours)
  • Prospectus Development (3 hours)
  • Comprehensive Examination - Written & Oral (1 hour)
  • Prospectus Approval (1 hour)
PhD Candidacy (7 hours)
  • Dissertation Research and Writing (6 hours)
  • Dissertation Defense (1 hour)
Total Required: 63 hours

Looking for a ThM Instead?

Our Stand-Alone ThM is a highly-esteemed masters degree that prepares you for PhD studies and allows you to complete the courses necessary to be eligible for PhD admission.

Ready to Apply?

Let's Get Started!

To streamline your efforts, we've mapped out each stage of the Application Process.

For program questions, email our Program Coordinator

For application questions, email doctoraladmissions@sjzddclm.com

Current Student Links

Supplemental Application Materials
Proposal and Prospectus
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Miscellaneous Forms
ThM Portfolio & Comprehensive Exams
Dissertation Forms
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