Admission Requirements

We are glad that you are thinking about joining the PhD (Discipleship in Lifespan Education) Program!

Prospective students may register online to apply for the PhD (Discipleship in Lifespan Education) Program. This website will also provide you with other useful information about the application requirements and application process.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Prerequisites: Students entering the PhD (Discipleship in Lifespan Education) program should have a foundation in research methods of education and psychology and in basic statistics as evidenced by EDRM505 Research Methods; and EDRM611 Applied Statistical Methods I or their equivalents. EDFN500 Philosophical Foundations for Professionals, DSRE605 Contemporary Topics in Religious Education, and DSRE541 Foundations of Biblical Spirituality are required.
• Master’s degree: Hold an MDiv; an MA (Religion); or an MA in Education or related area. Have 28 credits in religion (16 of which may be on the undergraduate level) and have 16 undergraduate or graduate credits in education.
• Biblical Language Proficiency: Required to the intermediate level in either Greek or Hebrew for student pursuing studies in the specialization area of Theological Curriculum and Instruction.
• Usefulness: Show high promise of future usefulness to church and/or society.
• Proficiency exams: Depending upon the applicant's academic background, the PhD-ThD Committee may also require proficiency examination(s) before granting admission to the doctoral program.
• GPA: Minimum undergraduate level GPA of 2.60 (or 2.75 on the last half of undergraduate courses); and a minimum graduate level GPA of 3.50. The entire student profile is considered during the admissions process.
• English proficiency: Demonstrate the ability to handle doctoral-level work in English. Standardized proficiency examinations are required of all PhD (Religion) program applicants whose native language is other than English. Students whose language of education is not English must submit a minimum TOEFL or MELAB score as outlined in the table bellow.
  • These tests must be taken within two years prior to enrollment.
  • Students who score below these levels may complete the language requirements by enrolling in Intensive English Program courses (ENSL) on the Andrews University campus and passing the Exit Exam for English as a Second/Foreign Language
  • Applicants may not be required to fulfill the English language requirement if one of the following takes place from an educational institution where English is the language of communication and  instruction:
    • Completion of education from at least the ninth through the twelfth grade and a high school diploma or equivalent.
    • Completion of a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) and diploma from an undergraduate college or university.
    • Completion of a graduate degree.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Official transcripts: from institutions where all post-secondary coursework was taken. Transcript Request PDF
• Recommendations: Three recommendations are required: two from teachers or advisors in your master’s degree program; and one from an administrator or recent employer. You are asked to provide names and email addresses on the online application, and then recommenders will receive an email with a direct link to the form.
• Resume or professional history: information about your employment, research, or special projects.
• GRE score: Minimum combined score of 284. The exam must be taken within five years prior to admission. For more information, please see the required tests section found in the Academic Bulletin.
• Statement of Purpose: A 600-word statement of purpose, which includes your mission statement, a description of the journey that created a desire to pursue doctoral studies, and a vision of the professional accomplishments you foresee.  Additionally, a 200-300 word description of your area of interest for dissertation research and an explanation of this choice.
• Research Paper: A significant research paper (term paper, thesis, or research report), normally written during the master’s level studies. This paper should give evidence of your ability to carry out research and to present the results and conclusions of such work in standard English and in an acceptable style.
• Personality questionnaire: Complete and return the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire as directed.

For more information and support for international students, visit International Student Services.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All application forms, as well as other required items, must be completed and submitted online to our Graduate Enrollment Office. We are no longer taking hard copy application forms. Only when everything has been submitted does the Office send your application packet to the department.  Once we receive your packet, we do an analysis of materials submitted to determine your eligibility for admission to the program then take your application to the Doctoral Committee, which meets once a month.  After all steps are completed, you will receive an official letter of acceptance or denial.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Early applications are recommended.

• For North American students: three months prior to the anticipated starting date.
• For non-North American students: six months prior to the anticipated starting date.

COST

Current graduate tuition and fees and other information concerning finances.

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