This article is part two of a two-part series. In part one, I sought to outline two models for doctoral research degrees and four categories of PhD programs. I also gave several prefatory remarks that give important context for the discussion below.
Factors to Consider
In no particular order, here are some things that I feel are important to bear in mind when looking at different PhD programs:
Time Commitment – Here the main distinction will be between UK model and US model PhDs. A residential UK degree will likely be the shortest time commitment. On the opposite end of the spectrum, US programs usually take 4–7 years (and sometimes longer if obstacles or distractions hinder the completion of the dissertation).
Research Topic – For UK programs, applicants are usually expected to have a potential research topic for their thesis at the start of the program. Indeed, the ability of the applicant to write up a viable research proposal is a key part of the application process. The student may well change her topic after beginning the program, but the proposal is taken as evidence that she will be able to immediately begin research upon arrival at the university. By contrast, US programs often do not have as high of an expectation that students have a potential topic in place at the start of the program. During the coursework/competency exam portion of the degree, it is expected that the students will be deciding on and refining their research interests. Bottom line: if you have no idea what you want to write on for your dissertation, the US model may be a better option.
Supervisor – Your relationship with your supervisor can make or break your PhD experience. In fact, who you study with is every bit as important as where you study. It will be helpful for you to think of yourself as applying to work with a person not just applying to be a student at a certain institution. If you have a research topic in mind, you will want to find a potential supervisor whose scholarship and interests overlap with yours. As intimidating as it may be, you should consider emailing potential supervisors before applying with a short explanation of your background and research interests. This gives them a chance to tell you directly if they find your topic interesting or your application viable. Additionally, you should note that the way they respond to you over email (courtesy, thoroughness, timeliness, etc.) will often be a good indicator of what it will be like to actually be working with them as a student.
Access – Simply put: Can you get into the program? It’s important to both be realistic and not to sell yourself short. Do you have any network connections to the institution to which you’re applying? How close is the “match” between you and your potential supervisor? How strong is your research proposal? Generally speaking, of the categories I mention above, US university programs are the most competitive, followed by top-tier UK universities, then seminary programs, then online degrees.
Difficulty/Rigor – Virtually any PhD program will be rigorous and difficult to complete––which is (of course) the point and much of the appeal. However, the standards vary widely from place to place. Again, generalizing according to our categories, US university programs might be the most difficult due to the long and demanding mix of coursework, comp exams, and research/writing. UK universities, since they focus on the dissertation itself, may tend to have the highest standards for quality of research that students are expected to produce. US seminary degrees, particularly those of the evangelical stripe, can have a reputation of being the least academically rigorous. But this reputation isn’t always deserved, and it will depend largely on the specific program and with whom you study. Sadly, many institutions have been forced find creative ways to attract students, which has at times translated into lowered standards in an effort to make their PhD more accessible and attractive.
Cost/Funding – Some US university programs are fully funded with living stipends. This is a large reason why their application processes can be so competitive. By contrast, funding is scarcer for UK programs, and often even more so in seminary programs––though, as always, there are exceptions. It is not uncommon for there to be scholarship monies available specifically for women, international, or non-white students. Be on the lookout for those opportunities if they’re relevant to you. In gross generalization, I would rank the cost, from most to least expensive, as follows: UK university (especially given moving/visa costs), US seminary, online PhDs, and US university (if fully-funded with stipends). Questions of funding are often some of the most pressing and stressful for those considering pursuing a PhD. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy. The US government can be a reliable source of student loans, even for overseas studies (I’m partially funding my own studies this way). For others, having a spouse work full-time to support your studies is a viable option. Support from family and friends and part-time work can also go a long way. I’ve known of several PhD students who paid for their studies by “support raising,” similar to how one might fund a call to be a missionary. Many (including myself) may have to mix and match from various sources of funding to make it work. The cost can be intimidating, but there may also be creative solutions for funding the educational investment.
Life/Family Disruption – If you’re living and settled with roots in a certain area, it’s worth taking a look to see if there are any programs nearby that may be of interest to you. These would minimize your life disruption, but oftentimes it may be a less than ideal fit for any variety of the reasons listed here. If you’re single, you obviously have more flexibility, which can be a great advantage. If you’re married or have children, this must be a serious consideration. Do not overlook the burden that this experience may well be for your partner and/or your kids. An online program will be least disruptive, and an international move will be the most difficult in terms of logistics. There is certainly an “adventure” element to moving to a faraway land to pursue your academic dreams. But you should be warned that, for some, the romance of an international move can quickly give way to depression and a deep feeling of isolation in a cross-cultural context.
Breadth of Exposure – I mean this in two ways. First, how broad do you want your theological exposure to be for your PhD? This is a sincere question for which I do not mean to suggest a single correct answer. You should ask yourself whether you want to regularly encounter ideas you may not agree with during your studies. Or, rather, do you want to spend your time with students and scholars with similar convictions who can mentor you from their wisdom and experience? A diverse and broad education goes a long way toward sharpening us as thinkers, teachers, and ministers. (For more on this point, see this article by CPT fellow Daryl Ellis.) But this can also be difficult and destabilizing for some. There are benefits and drawbacks to both a more theologically focused and a more diverse and “open” theological education. Some (though certainly not all!) evangelical programs may be narrow in their theological outlook. On the opposite end of the spectrum, progressive university programs (particularly in the US) can become their own sort of theologically liberal echo chamber.
The second thing to consider in terms of breadth of exposure is the wider academic context of the program. Specifically, if the PhD is offered at a university, your education and your research could benefit immensely from your exposure to students and scholars in other fields such as literature, sociology, history, classics, and other disciplines. If you’re at a seminary that is not part of a robust research university, you will likely not have these on-campus inter-disciplinary resources.Confession – It is also important to ask whether the program will be hospitable to your Christian confession both in the broad sense of “confessional scholarship” and the narrow sense of your personal/denominational theological proclivities. If you’re an outspoken conservative evangelical, you may find it challenging and/or discouraging to study in a university or more progressive seminary context. While the “hostility” to conservative stances in such places can sometimes be over-hyped, it is a real thing, especially in some of the more prestigious US programs. UK universities tend to be more open, on the one hand, to confessional scholarship than US university programs and more open, on the other hand, to progressive theology than many US evangelical seminaries. This can make the UK a nice “in-between” for a student who is weary of theological polarization in the US. However, most advisors in the UK will still expect a more pronounced level of scholarly “objectivity” in research and writing when compared to a US evangelical seminary.
Employability/Opportunity – Finally, you should ask what you hope to do once you graduate and what doors may be open to you. An evangelical seminary degree may serve you best for landing a job as a pastor at an evangelical church, but the same degree may be a non-starter for a university-level professor job. Be aware of the reputation that the institution you apply to may have in various circles. By extension, you will carry that reputation with you when applying for any job. This can be both a positive and a negative. It is also worth noting that if you are dead set on a professor job, a US university may put you in the best position, relatively speaking. UK PhD grads, by contrast, may find that they have to complete a post-doctoral fellowship or establish a more robust research profile before they become competitive for a teaching post. All things being equal, a Notre Dame graduate, for instance, will outgun a Cambridge grad because the hiring committee will understand the high bar of exposure and competencies that he or she needed to clear to succeed in the US program.
As I conclude this list, I’m compelled to re-emphasize that this entire exercise is, on one level, a little bit ridiculous. Again, there are notable exceptions to just about every statement I’ve made above. However, my hope is that some of this may prove helpful nonetheless. May the Lord guide you and surround you with wise counsel as you consider this important decision.
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.
