Doctor of Theology Program

the Doctor of Theology (Th. D.) degree is an advanced academic degree intended to prepare students for professional careers in teaching, writing, and scholarship in academics (colleges, universities or seminaries), in publishing, religious organizations, social service organizations, or foundations.

The Th. D. program emphasizes theological studies in the context of "secular" university research disciplines and is characterized by a series of careful balances. Students are given considerable latitude to design their programs to meet specific needs and interests. This freedom is exercised under the guidance of the students Th. D. doctoral committee, who establish examination and dissertation protocols which form the structure of the student's program.

The Th. D. program's freedom and flexibility encourages students to work on fresh issues and with emerging methodologies. Theological scholarship is in profound transition, undergoing a revolution in the sources, methodologies, issues and questions that constitute each of its disciplines. many of the students in the Th. D. program will be creating the scholarship of tommorow. However, this is in balance with a thorough grounding in the established scholarship of the theological disciplines, for we believe that new approaches and active dialogues emerging in theological education will be facilitated best by scholars who are rooted in the traditions of theological scholarship.

The School of Theology's standard of scholarship represent a balance of commiteed study of the theological disciplines and perspective. In the Th. D. program brings to bear critical perspectives (both internal and external) so that the scholastic conclusions will be thoughtful and articulate; the scholar will have considered and addressed issues in such a way as to strengthen the distinctive position and conclusions that he/she wishes to present to the world.

Degree Requirements
* Successfully complete a minimum of 64 quarter units of coursework determined by the student and the student's Doctoral Commitee from the Doctor of Theology course list and any other coursework prescribed by the student's Doctoral Committee with a minimum cummulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
* Successfully complete the Integrative Review.
* Successfully pass the comprehensive examinations.
* Successfully complete 16 quarter unit of the Dissertation/Research Project.
* Successfully complete the degree requirements within the time limit.

Time Limit
The Th. D. program must be completed within 5 years from the time the student commenced the first course, as a regular student, which applies to the degree requirements. This time limit, at the option of the university, may be extended due to special extenuating circumstances.

Awarding the Degree
When it is certified that the candidate has completed all required work and met all financial obligations for the Doctor of Theology degree course, the degree will be recommended by vote of the Doctoral Committee of the School of Theology. The degree is granted by Life University's Board of Trustees and is conferred at the university's commencement.