It can be difficult to know where to start when considering applying for PhD programs. The purpose of this two-part series of articles (click here to read part two) is to provide an overview of things to consider when deciding where to apply for PhD programs in Theology or Biblical Studies. A few prefatory remarks:
A PhD isn’t for everyone. Here at the CPT, we encourage current and aspiring pastors to pursue further education as part of their pastoral calling. However, this does not imply that we believe all pastors (or even most pastors) should pursue a terminal research degree. (See also, this article by Gavin Ortlund.)
This perspective is specific to me and my story. I’ll admit that I feel more than a little self-conscious writing this piece. I haven’t yet started my own PhD program (though I have been accepted to two programs and plan to begin PhD research this Fall), and my perspective is limited to my own experience. That being said, I hope that my take on these questions may have some unique value because of my being “in the thick of it”. For anyone interested in hearing a bit more of my story, you can check out this series of episodes on the CPT podcast.
This article will assume the perspective of an American student. Though I hope it will have relevance for students in other contexts.
This article will make generalizations. There will be many exceptions to almost every “rule” I describe below. However, I hope the broad-brush strokes will give potential PhD applicants a lay of the land as they navigate what can often be an overwhelming decision-making process. There will also be differences of opinion on some of the generalizations I make, which is to say that I am by no means presenting this article as the definitive guide for choosing a program. I strongly encourage you to supplement what I have to say here with other perspectives.
The process is highly subjective and complex. The lived experience of applying for a PhD will be more like choosing a spouse than choosing a new phone. These articles could make it seem like choosing a PhD program can be pretty straightforward if you have the right information. I want to be clear that it isn’t. Life in general––and certainly our life with God in Christ––can and will surprise us, as well as challenge our assumptions about what we “should” be doing or how things are “supposed” to go. We should reject any overly rigid pursuit of a career trajectory and embrace an openness to what God is doing in our story––not what we think he’s doing or should do. Moreover, everyone’s story will look different. I encourage you to check out our “Becoming a Pastor Theologian” episodes on the CPT Podcast to hear examples of various types of Phd journies.
So, without further ado, I’ll proceed by describing two PhD models, four PhD types, and (in part two) ten factors to consider when choosing a PhD program:
Models
The US/North American Model – US PhD programs typically take anywhere from 4–7 years to complete. The early years of the program will usually entail substantial coursework and rigorous language studies. At the conclusion of this “stage” of the program, there are often competency exams that test your overall proficiency in various aspects of the discipline (historical, analytical, mastery of secondary literature, linguistic, etc.). After passing your “comps,” you then move to the research stage of the program, where you write the dissertation as a capstone for the degree.
The UK (European) Model – UK PhDs, by contrast, typically take about 3–4 years to complete. The focus of this model is on academic research and writing your dissertation, and very often there is no required coursework. In this sense, the UK model “skips” the coursework portion of the US model––or assumes that you already have many of the relevant competencies in place from previous masters-level work.
Categories of PhDs
US Seminary PhDs – This is a PhD program offered by a seminary, a school that specializes in ministry training. The seminary may be conservative evangelical or progressive mainline (or somewhere in between). It also may or may not be part of a larger college or university. Many US seminaries have PhD programs on offer in addition to their core MDiv or MA tracks. In my exposure, it is not typical for UK ministry training schools to offer PhDs, though I do know of some that offer doctoral degrees that may be more analogous to a US DMin (Doctor of Ministry). (See also, this article by Paul Morrison for his reflections on his experience in a seminary PhD program.)
US University PhDs – This is a PhD program offered by a private or public research university as opposed to a seminary. If we want to get technical, the lines between this category and the previous one can get blurry. Many university degrees are offered by a “Divinity School” that more or less functions as a seminary on the campus of the larger institution. That being said, the types of programs I have in view here (Harvard, U Chicago, Marquette, etc.) tend to be much more inclined towards the mainstream academic discipline than what I’m calling Seminary PhDs. Some programs may fall somewhere in between on this spectrum. Here, I’m thinking of, for example, Princeton or Duke, which may have much more in common with Harvard than with, say, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. (See also, this article by Daryl Ellis for his reflections on his experience in a US university PhD program.)
UK University PhDs – As you might have guessed, these programs are offered by a university based in the UK. They follow the UK PhD model outlined above and are not usually part of a ministry training entity as such, though there are often many ministry-minded people in them. (See also, this article by Emily Hill and this article by Sam Forenecker for reflections on their experience in UK university programs.)
Online Phds – Again, this category should be pretty self-explanatory. Here I include both part-time, non-residential programs and fully online programs.
In part two of this series, I will outline ten factors to consider when choosing where to apply for PhD programs.
Zachary Wagner is the Editorial Director of the Center for Pastor Theologians. He is currently studying for an MSt in New Testament at the University of Oxford, with plans to continue on to DPhil research at Oxford on the Apostle Paul’s view of reward. He holds degrees from Wheaton College and the Moody Bible Institute. He is a member of the St. Basil Fellowship of the Center for Pastor Theologians.
