Theology (PhD)
The main purpose of the Program is to prepare specialists with advanced academic studies in the fields of Christian Education and Pastoral Theology. These studies train the graduates to contribute as researchers and instructors of the Christian faith in the spiritual, social and academic areas, in Puerto Rico, as well as in the Caribbean, Latin America and Hispanic communities in the United States. From an interdisciplinary and ecumenical approach, it fosters thought about theology and its relevance in contemporary society. The Program emphasizes the analysis of the theological foundations of Christianity and the essential role that they play in the formation of ethical values of human beings.
The student who completes the Program successfully will be able to:
- Evaluate the religious phenomenon in humans at the individual and community levels.
- Explain the concepts of Christian theology.
- Critically evaluate the history and development of theology.
- Justify and interpret the relevance of theological work in contemporary society.
- Integrate research skills to theological thought.
- Propose new perspective on the existing theological models in order to contribute to the knowledge of the discipline.
- Analyze the influence of the different theological models in the Latin American context.
- Create a critical interreligious and interdisciplinary dialog.
- Apply knowledge to decision making processes in matters of an ethical nature.
- Stimulate reflection of the Christian faith and its relation to the spreading of values and improvement of society.
The Metropolitan Campus is authorized to offer this Program.
Admission Requirements
Candidates for admission must:
- Hold a Master in Religion, Master in Theology, Master in Divinity or its equivalent, or in related areas from an accredited university or from an accredited institution of graduate studies, with a grade point average of no less than 3.00. Candidates that have a master’s degree in other fields, who have approved a minimum of 15 credits at this level in Religion, will also be considered.
- Complete the admission form, which will include an essay about their intellectual and professional career, highlighting the factors that made the candidate apply to the Program. It should also express the candidate’s academic, vocational, and professional purposes.
- Have a full knowledge of the Spanish language and competency in the English language.
- Have taken one of the following examinations: Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Miller Analogy Test or Examen de Admisión a Estudios de Posgrado (EXADEP) [Graduate Studies Aptitude Test] within the last three years of the date admission is requested. The Program’s Admission Committee will establish the acceptable minimum score levels for the degree.
- Have taken the test for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Required for students whose first and second language is not English.
- Have passed a statistics course.
- Present three (3) letters of recommendation, preferably from Faculty members that can properly comment on their academic, intellectual and personal ability to develop doctoral studies.
- Submit an essay, term paper, or critical exegesis (of no more than thirty pages) that shows competency in master’s studies. Preferably, the work must be related to the major that is being requested at a doctoral level.
- Have an interview with the Admission Committee of the Doctoral of Philosophy Program in Theology, and be favorably recommended by it.
Special cases of students who request admission by transfer from a foreign accredited university or institution of graduate studies will be evaluated according to their individual merits.
Academic Progress Requirements
In the Doctoral Program the student will progress through the following phases:
- Pass a reading examination in a third modern language after completing 24 credits of the Program.
- Comply with the following requirements:
- Pass all courses with a minimum of B.
- Pass the comprehensive examination. Students must pass this test after having passed at least 30 credits (9 credits in core courses and 21 credits in courses related to their specialization).
- Pass the thesis proposal.
- Comply with all the preparation and presentation requirements of the dissertation.
- Complete the degree in a period of seven years. Annual extensions can be awarded up to a maximum of three. These will be awarded based only on significant progress and work demonstrated by the student during the year that is awarded.
At the beginning of the first academic term of studies, the Director of the Doctoral Program will assign the student a faculty member that will temporarily serve as an academic advisor. At the end of the first academic term the advisor that will work with the student during the rest of the study program will be assigned. The advisor will be responsible of guiding the student on the courses that should be taken, as well as other aspects of the Program until the time of the comprehensive examination. At the end of the second academic term of the first year, the advisor will evaluate the work of the student during that period, and will give a written copy of the evaluation to the student and to the Director of the Doctoral Program.
It is expected that from the beginning of the first year of studies the student explore topics from which the doctoral dissertation may be developed.
To be considered a Doctoral Candidate, the student must have passed all the courses of the Program, except THEO 8994 – Doctoral Dissertation. An exception to the rule could be made with a course that the student is taking the academic term when the comprehensive examination is requested.
Having being admitted to the Doctoral Program does not guarantee admission to the degree candidacy. During the period prior to the request of admission to degree candidacy, the student should consult with his advisor to choose the topic of the dissertation. Once the topic is determined with the approval of the advisor, the student will prepare the proposal for research and will submit it to the Director of the Doctoral Program. If the proposal is accepted, the Director will officially inform the student that he has been admitted as a candidate for the degree.
The Director of the Doctoral Program, with the prior agreement or the degree candidate, will name three faculty members to form the candidate’s Dissertation Committee, one of who will be designated as the candidate’s Dissertation Director. This faculty member will also chair the committee. The Director of the Doctoral Program will make available to this committee the candidate’s file which contains a record of the academic work done by the candidate to date, the results achieved on the comprehensive examination, the preliminary research proposal and any other documents academically relevant to the work of the candidate. The candidate’s Dissertation Committee will thenceforth be responsible for advising and directing the student until the Dissertation is completed. Its defense will be through an oral examination before the Committee, which will be integrated by the three faculty members appointed by the Director of the Doctoral Program. The Committee can also invite other qualified persons to participate during the defense of the dissertation.
The Committee must officially approve the dissertation before this requirement can be completed. The student must comply with all the requirements to obtain the degree in a period of seven (7) years of having started in the Program. After those seven (7) years, an annual extension may be awarded up to a maximum of three. The extensions will be awarded only based on the significant progress and work shown by the student during the year prior requesting the extension.
All candidates must be completely fluent in the Spanish language. They must also have sufficient competency in English to be able to carry out complex and long readings in this language. In addition, candidates must pass an examination certifying that they have the necessary reading skills in a third modern language. This examination must be passed after completing 24 credits of the Program. The student may not take more than one course per academic term until this requirement of the third modern language is met.
Graduation Requirements
- Pass all the courses of the Program with a minimum grade of B.
- Pass the comprehensive examination.
- Show knowledge of a third modern language.
- Successfully complete, present, and defend the doctoral dissertation.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Theology
| Core Course Requirements |
18 credits |
| Prescribed Distributive Requirements |
12 credits |
| Operational Requirements |
9 credits |
| Elective Courses |
6 credits |
| Total |
45 credits |
Core Course Requirements - 18 credits
Prescribed Distributive Requirements - 12 credits
Select 12 credits from the following courses in the area of dissertation.
Christian Thought
Practical Theology
| THEO 7100 | Contemporary Theories of Christian Theology | 3 |
| THEO 7110 | Theological and Philosophical Foundations of Educational Ministry | 3 |
| THEO 7260 | Theology of Pastoral Action | 3 |
| THEO 7270 | Christology and Pastoral Action | 3 |
| THEO 7290 | Ecclesiology and Pastoral Action | 3 |
| THEO 8010 | Theory of the Theological Method | 3 |
Operational Courses - 9 credits