Admission Process

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
 

Eligibility:
Pentecostal Theological Seminary offers a PhD degree program in two areas of specialization: Biblical Studies and Theological Studies. All applicants for admission to the PhD program must hold the degree of BA, or its equivalent, from an approved college or university, and a master’s degree (MDiv, MTS, MAR, or MA), or its equivalent, from an accredited graduate program. Educational equivalency for a master’s degree (MDiv, MTS, MAR, or MA) is determined by the PTS Ph.D. Committee on a case by case basis. It is assumed that those who are enrolled in graduate degree programs when they apply for admission will have received their degrees before matriculation. If admitted to the Seminary, official transcripts for degree programs in progress at the time of application must be provided with notation of degree conferral prior to matriculation.

Language Requirements:
All candidates must be fluent in English. The candidates should be aware that the Seminary’s PhD program regards a working knowledge of at least two foreign languages as fundamental tools for doctoral work in the study of the Bible and theology. Students admitted to the PhD program are therefore required to show reading mastery of two secondary research languages. No language work done prior to entering the program will satisfy this requirement. Normally, the two secondary languages for scholarly research have been French and German. Students may substitute other secondary research languages when they can demonstrate that such languages figure prominently in the field of scholarship which they intend to enter and play an important role in their own research agenda.

For the candidates applying for the PhD program in the Biblical Studies concentration, mastery of the Hebrew and the Greek languages are required at the time of admission. The applicants who do not demonstrate the mastery of the Biblical languages shall not be not allowed the admission into the PhD program. Students may demonstrate their mastery of the Biblical languages by the credits earned in their previous academic training or successfully passing the comprehensive exams on the Biblical languages that would be administered by the chair of the Biblical Studies specialization.