ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT
Program Direction: The Director of the Ph.D. Program in Practical Theology oversees the program, enforces program policy, and approves dissertation committees. The Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry appoints the director, receives petitions for exception to program policy, and issues fellowships and assistantships. The faculty of the School of Theology and Ministry are collectively responsible for interviewing applicants, making admissions decisions, and evaluating performance on candidacy examinations.
Application Process: All interested persons are urged to complete the St. Thomas University online graduate admissions form that may be found on the St. Thomas University website.
Admission Requirements: All materials named below should ordinarily be sent directly to the Office of Admissions for St. Thomas University.
1. Master of Arts degree in theology or ministry. Other graduate degrees from accredited institutions may be considered if the applicant has also successfully completed 15 graduate credits in theology. Exceptional students will be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants must have transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework sent directly to the St. Thomas University Office of Admissions.
2. GRE scores. Applicants may schedule an examination specifically for their application or submit test results from within the past five years of application date. Applicants must have these results sent directly to the St. Thomas University Office of Admissions.
3. All graduate international students whose native language is not English, including transferring students from U.S. institutions, are required to submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language TOEFL. Applicants holding an undergraduate or graduate degree from an academic institution within the United States or other English speaking country are not required to take the TOEFL examination.
4. Three academic letters of recommendation that give evidence of scholarly potential, and of the personal skills to be both a self-motivated and peer learner.
5. Submission of a 3-5 page statement of purpose in which the applicant articulates their own academic and professional interests and why St. Thomas University and this program is the best place for them to study.
6. A writing sample in theology or allied field of approximately twenty pages in length.
7. Resume.
8. Application fee, as required by the Office of Admission of St. Thomas University.
9. Personal interview.
Major Advisor: Upon acceptance into the doctoral program, the student meets with the program director. The student is assigned a major advisor, who may be the director of the program or another faculty member as appropriate. The major advisor is responsible for guiding the student through the doctoral program, from the selection of courses through the dissertation project.
Dissertation Committee: The dissertation committee consists of a chair, lead reader, and at least one other member. The chair must be drawn from St. Thomas University faculty. The chair provides a coordinating function and the lead reader provides a primary review function. Decision-making follows a consensus model. Candidates must formally and successfully defend their dissertation proposal before their dissertation committee before formally commencing dissertation writing.
Dissertation Prospectus: A dissertation prospectus in this program of study proposes an aspect of a topic that is understudied or insufficiently studied, and to which the literature and methods of practical theology may be effectively applied. The prospectus offers a roadmap for the dissertation, including an examination of the literature, presentation of design and relevant methods, and a discussion of the anticipated topics and framing of the various chapters.
Dissertation Evaluation: Dissertations must be successfully defended before the writer’s dissertation committee. Only after the committee has fully approved the dissertation may the candidate be recommended to receive the Ph.D. in practical theology.
Academic Standing: To remain in good academic standing, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
Length of Program: All requirements of the doctorate must be completed within seven consecutive years from the commencement of doctoral studies. Extensions beyond the seven year limit may be granted upon application to and approval from the Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry.
Leave of Absence: Students who need to interrupt their program of studies for one or more semesters must seek and obtain approval from the Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry.